{"id":3809,"date":"2022-02-01T22:24:29","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T22:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/?p=3809"},"modified":"2022-02-01T22:24:30","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T22:24:30","slug":"ala-youth-media-award-winners-on-epic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/ala-youth-media-award-winners-on-epic\/","title":{"rendered":"ALA Youth Media Awards: Read the Winners on Epic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Read these winning titles from the ALA Youth Media Awards on Epic!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s that time of year! The American Library Association (ALA) is rolling out this year\u2019s picks for the most outstanding books, videos and other media for children and young adults. And guess what? Most of the ALA award-winning titles<\/a> for 2022 are available on our platform.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re not familiar with the ALA Youth Media Awards<\/a>, each year the organization honors the highest quality creative works for children and teens, including Newbery, Caldecott, Printz and Coretta Scott King Book Awards. These selections, curated by librarians and other experts, help parents and educators choose the best materials for their students and kids.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been a pretty exciting week for book lovers everywhere, especially us! Learn more about some of the award winners below and check out the whole collection<\/a> on Epic.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALA Youth Media Awards: Winners on Epic<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Sky-Blue Bench<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Schneider Family Honor Book<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by Bahram Rahman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Peggy Collins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Set in Afghanistan, this story follows Aria as she returns to school after an accident. In her class, students sit on the floor, and she’s worried that with her new prosthetic “helper leg” it’ll be too uncomfortable for her. So she decides to build herself a bench. This bright, hopeful picture book shows kids the value of perseverance and grit, while introducing them to the struggles people in Afghanistan face in an age-appropriate way. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bright Star<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pura Belpr\u00e9 Honor Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By: Yuyi Morales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With simple, poignant language \u201cBright Star\u201d tells the story of a fawn as she makes her way through a place filled with dangers, beauty and potential. At the gentle urging of a mysterious voice, the fawn continues on, facing fears and overcoming obstacles along the way. This inspiring kids\u2019 book offers reassurance during a time of uncertainty, while teaching young readers the value of hope, determination and courage.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Best<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Have You Ever Seen a Flower?<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caldecott Honor Book<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By: Shawn Harris<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this enchanting book, little ones can explore the relationships between childhood and nature. With vivid pencil illustrations and simple text, it tells the story of a child experiencing a flower using all five senses, from its colors to its fragrance and more. This profound tale shows kids how something as small as a single flower can grow and change your perspective in surprising ways.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"ALA<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

My City Speaks<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Schneider Family Book Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Darren Lebeuf<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Ashley Barron<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A young girl who is visually impaired explores the city with her father. Together they go to the playground, the market, a garden and an outdoor concert. Along the way, the girl enthusiastically describes her city. With rhythmic, lyrical text and bright collage illustrations, this colorful children’s book encourages kids to use their senses to describe and appreciate their own experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"ALA<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sibert Award Honor Book<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Melissa Stewart<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Sarah S. Brannen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Most grade schoolers are familiar with winter hibernation, but what about sleeping all summer? This book introduces kids to a phenomenon known as estivation, a state of prolonged sleep during hot, dry periods. With engaging watercolor illustrations and fun facts throughout, it\u2019ll teach your kid about twelve estivating\u00a0creatures and critters and their habits, from ladybugs and salamanders to desert hedgehogs. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"ALA<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Last Cuentista<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

2022 Newbery Medal Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pura Belpr\u00e9 Award Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Donna Barba Higuera<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A girl named Petra Pe\u00f1a longs to be a cuentista (storyteller), but there\u2019s no time. Earth has been destroyed and only a select few, including Petra, will travel to a new planet and carry on the human race. Hundreds of years later, she wakes up to discover a malevolent collective is determined to erase the sins of humanity\u2019s past by purging memories. Petra is the only one who remembers Earth, and now alone must carry the stories of our past into the future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Best<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By: Levine Querido<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this is a collection of stories from Native nations and cultures across the Americas, kids can get a glimpse into what the Aztecs termed “the Sea-Ringed World,” the land spanning from Alaska to the edge of Argentina. With narratives passed down from generation to generation, these ancestral tales will introduce them to the wisdom and lore that has guided Native people for hundreds, if not thousands of years. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"ALA<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caldecott Honor Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sibert Honor Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Carole Boston Weatherford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Floyd Cooper<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This powerful middle-grade book chronicles the devastating events of 1921, when a white mob attacked a Black community in the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now known as one of the worst cases of racial violence in U.S. history, news of what took place at the time was widely suppressed, and it wasn’t investigated for 75 years. This sensitive, age-appropriate book introduces young readers to the events of this tragic day, and inspires them to help build a better future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"ALA<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Watercress<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

2022 Caldecott Medal Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asian\/Pacific American Award Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newbery Honor Book <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Andrea Wang<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Jason Chin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This moving true story follows a child of immigrants as she travels with her family through Ohio in an old Pontiac. Young Andrea\u2019s parents stop when they see watercress growing by the side of the road, and the whole family wades into the muck to collect as much of it as they can. This embarrasses her until, when her mother shares about her family\u2019s life in China, Andrea comes to appreciate the value of the fresh food they foraged, as well as her heritage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Best<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Written by Traci Sorrell <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illustrated by: Fran\u00e9 Lessac<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From the author of the award-winning book \u201cWe Are Grateful,\u201d comes this important book on the history, struggles and triumphs of Native life: past, present and future. Told from the perspective of 12 Native kids, this brightly illustrated picture book covers a myriad of subject matter not taught in most schools. Topics include issues of forced assimilation, land allotment, civil rights, self-determination, and more. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"ALA<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

ALA Affiliate Award Winners<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n