2024 Winner
Young Children (age 0–8)
Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey
Henry, a first grader on the autism spectrum, attempts to navigate friendships, and sudden changes in classroom routines–like a parade on Friday instead of share time.
Middle Grades (age 9–13)
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla
Follows thirteen-year-old neurodivergent Maudie during an eventful summer in California with her father, where she struggles with whether to share a terrible secret about life with her mom and stepdad.
Teens (age 14–18)
Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington
When sixteen-year-old Sadie, a Black bisexual recluse, develops agoraphobia the summer before her junior year, she relies on her best friend, family, and therapist to overcome her fears.
2024 Honor(s):
2023 Winner & Honor(s)
Past Winners & Honors from 2016-2021
Winners in bold
2016
Young Children (Ages 0-8)
- Emmanuel’s dream: the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson
Middle Grades (ages 9-13)
- Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
- The War that Saved My Life by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley
Teens (ages 14-18)
- The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten
2017
Young Children (Ages 0-8)
- Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant
Middle Grades (ages 9-13)
- as brave as you written by Jason Reynolds
Teens (ages 14-18)
- When We Collided by Emery Lord
2018
Young Children (Ages 0-8)
- Silent Days, Silent Dreams by Allen Say
Middle Grades (ages 9-13)
- Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green
Teens (ages 14-18)
- You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner
2019
Young Children (Ages 0-8)
- Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
- The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros
Middle Grades (ages 9-13)
- The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor
- The Collectors by Jacqueline West
Teens (ages 14-18)
- (Don’t) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health edited by Kelly Jensen
2020
Young Children (Ages 0-8)
- A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey
Middle Grades (ages 9-13)
- Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya
- Song For A Whale by Lynne Kelly
Teens (ages 14-18)
- Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein
- The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais
2021
Young Children (Ages 0-8)
- My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf
- A Sky-Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman
- A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott
Middle Grades (ages 9-13)
- Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Teens (ages 14-18)
- This is My Brain in Love written by I.W. Gregorio
2022
Young Children (Ages 0-8)
- My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf
- A Sky-Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman
- A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott
Middle Grades (ages 9-13)
- A Bird Will Soar by Alison Green Myers
- A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
- Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds,
Teens (ages 14-18)
- Words in my Hands by Asphyxia
- A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley
*Summaries are are taken from the publisher, book descriptions and/or our online catalog*