We Need Diverse Books has announced the winners of the 2026 Walter Dean Myers Awards. They are given in two age categories. Here are the winning books and honor books:
YOUNGER READERS
WINNER
The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes
HONOR
All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson
TEEN
WINNER
Champion by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld, and Ed Laroche
HONOR
King of the Neuro Verse by Idris Goodwin
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
The 2026 Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner Is… – Texas Library Association
AI, KPop Demon Hunters, and the Rise of the Knock Off Book – ALSC
. . . But Make it Graphic Novel: 7 Upcoming Graphic Novel Adaptations of Beloved Books – 100 Scope Notes
Fall 2026 Children’s Sneak Previews – Publisher’s Weekly
Gruffalo family to expand in new Julia Donaldson book 27 years after original – The Independent
‘Imagine six impossible things before breakfast’: Star writer’s plan to inspire young readers – Sydney Morning Herald
Lester’s “Magic Beach” named Australia’s best children’s picture book – Books + Publishing
LIBRARIES
30 Years of E-Rate – American Libraries
Federal Funding for Libraries Prevails – ALA
Georgia librarians could face criminal charges for ‘harmful materials’ – Georgia Recorder
Grant guidelines for libraries and museums take “chilling” political turn under Trump – Salon
YA LIT
Q&A: L.S. Stratton, Author of ‘Sundown Girls’ – The Nerd Daily
Waking Brain Cells 