
Newbery Winners
Winners of the Newbery Medal for the best in children's literature by an American author for previous year
Use these lists to help you find books from our online catalog for your kids.
Each year the American Library Association recognizes the best in children’s literature by American authors or illustrators published the previous year. The Newbery is the highest award for an author, the Caldecott for an illustrator. The Coretta Scott King awards honor African-American authors and illustrators. Other awards honor contributions in various categories. You can find out more on the ALA Awards website.
Winners of the Newbery Medal for the best in children's literature by an American author for previous year
Winners for the best illustrated children's book by an American artist from the previous year
Winners for the best children's book by an African-American author from the previous year
Winners for the best African-American illustrator of a children's book from the previous year
Winners for the best Latino/Latina-American author of a children's book from the previous year
Winners for the best Latino/Latina-American illustrator of a children's book from the previous year
Winners and honors books for the best beginning reader book by an American author from the previous year
Winners & honor books for the best children's non-fiction by an American author from the previous year
Each year students across Illinois get to vote for their favorite books from lists of selected nominees. Voting typically takes place in schools, and the winners are announced in the spring. The Monarch Award is voted on by students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. The Bluestem Award is voted on by students in 3rd through 5th grade. The Rebecca Caudill Award is voted on by students in 4th through 8th grade. You can find out more about the Illinois Readers’ Choice awards on the Association of Illinois School Library Educators website.
Winners of the annual Monarch award, voted on by K - 3rd grade students across Illinois
Winners of the annual Bluestem award, voted on by 3rd - 5th grade students across Illinois
Winners of the Caudill award, voted on each year by 4th - 8th graders across Illinois
Nominees for the 2026 Monarch award, voted on by K - 3rd grade students across Illinois
Nominees for the 2026 Bluestem award, voted on by 3rd - 5th grade students across Illinois
Nominees for the 2026 Caudill award, voted on by 4th - 8th grade students across Illinois
Since 2021, the Evanston (IL) Public Library has given the Blueberry awards to celebrate the best in children's literature that inspires a love of nature and action for the planet.
Winners of the Blueberry Award from the Evanston Public Library
Winners of the Blueberry Award from the Evanston Public Library
Winners of the Blueberry Award from the Evanston Public Library