Day: January 27, 2026

2026 Pura Belpré Awards

| Tasha

The Pura Belpré Awards “honor Latinx writers and illustrators whose children’s and young adult books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.” Here are the 2026 winners and honor books.

PURA BELPRÉ CHILDREN’S AWARD

WINNER

The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

HONOR BOOKS

A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya

The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro

A Sea of Lemon Trees by María Dolores Águila

PURA BELPRÉ YOUNG ADULT AUTHOR AWARD

WINNER

On the Wings of la Noche by Vanessa L. Torres

HONOR BOOKS

Rosa by Any Other Name by Hailey Alcaraz

Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide by Pablo Leon

The Story of My Anger by Jasmine Mendez

PURA BELPRÉ YOUTH ILLUSTRATOR AWARD

WINNER

Popo the Xolo illustrated by Abraham Matias, written by Paloma Angelina Lopez

HONOR BOOKS

A-Ztec: A Bilingual Alphabet Book, illustrated and written by Emmanuel Valtierra

The Invisible Parade, illustrated by John Picacio, written by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio

Coretta Scott King Awards

| Tasha

This award recognizes outstanding books by African American authors and illustrators. There is one award for writing and another for illustrations. They also give a new talent award.

CORETTA SCOTT KING AUTHOR BOOK AWARD

WINNER

Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes

HONOR BOOKS

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes

The Library in the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Split the Sky by Marie Arnold

CORETTA SCOTT KING ILLUSTRATOR BOOK AWARD

WINNER

The Library in the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

HONOR BOOKS

André: André Leon Talley—A Fabulously Fashionable Fairy Tale, illustrated by Lamont O’Neal, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders

City Summer, Country Summer, illustrated by Alexis Franklin, written by Kiese Laymon

CORETTA SCOTT KING – JOHN STEPTOE NEW TALENT AUTHOR AWARD

Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson

Michael J. Printz Award

| Tasha

From the American Library Association, this award is given to the top YA book of the year.

WINNER

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith

HONOR BOOKS

Cope Field by T. L. Simpson

The House No One Sees by Adina King

Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley

Song of a Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout

2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards

| Tasha

The winners of the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards have been announced. The awards are given by The Children’s Book Council of Australia and cover a wide age range. Here are the winners:

OLDER READERS

WINNER

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough

HONOUR BOOKS

Birdy by Sharon Kernot

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough

YOUNGER READERS

WINNER

Laughter Is the Best Ending by Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks

HONOUR BOOKS

Aggie Flea Steals the Show by Tania Ingram, illustrated by A. Yi

Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt Stanton

EARLY CHILDHOOD

WINNER

The Wobbly Bike by Darren McCallum, illustrated by Craig Smith

HONOUR BOOKS

How to Move a Zoo by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Owen Swan

One Little Dung Beetle by Rhiân Williams, illustrated by Heather Potter & Mark Jackson

PICTURE BOOK

WINNER

The Truck Cat illustrated by Danny Snell, text by Deborah Frenkel

HONOUR BOOKS

Afloat illustrated by Freya Blackwood, text by Kirli Saunders

These Long-Loved Things illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh, text by Josh Pyke

EVE POWNALL AWARD FOR INFORMATION BOOKS

WINNER

Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson

HONOUR BOOKS

Making the Shrine: Stories From Victoria’s War Memorial by Laura J. Carroll

South With the Seabirds by Jess McGeachin

NEW ILLUSTRATOR

WINNER

Grow Big, Little Seed illustrated by Sarah Capon, written by Bec Nanayakkara

Sundown Girls by L. S. Stratton – Book Recommendation

| Tasha

Sundown Girls by L. S. Stratton

  • Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
  • Publication Date: January 27, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9798217004942

Naomi has been returned to her biological family after living until recently with the woman she thought was her mother but who actually abducted her. Her family calls her by a different name and adjustment has been rocky. That’s why they decide to take a long summer vacation together in the Shenandoah Valley. However, the town they are near used to be a Sundown town and still holds some of the same beliefs about Black people living there. Naomi starts seeing a young Black girl outside her window who suddenly bursts into flames. As Naomi learns more about the history of the region, she realizes that it may not just be girls from the past who are in danger there.

Incredibly gripping and tense, this is a layered thriller for teens that speaks directly to the Black experience in sundown towns across the country. It also looks at how girls are exploited and ignored on multiple levels, becoming missing girls. Naomi is a great protagonist, strong and resilient while still struggling with her past and her current situation. Her messy relationship with her family is shown with empathy and honesty, adding to the questions of what is due to previous trauma and what is real.

A dark thriller full of personal trauma, history and ghosts.