Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries, this award honors outstanding books for children and teens that portray the Jewish experience. Medals are given for three age categories. Here are the recipients:
The Stonewall Book Awards are given to works of exceptional merit relating to LGBTQIA+ experience. The awards are given in two age groups. Here are the winners and honor books for each:
STONEWALL BOOK AWARDS – MIKE MORGAN AND LARRY ROMANS CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AWARD
The Odyssey Award is given by ALA to the best audiobooks. The award is given in two age categories:
ODYSSEY AWARD FOR CHILDREN
Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story, produced by Arnie Cardillo and Debra Cardillo for Live Oak Media, written by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Joseph Erb and narrated by the author and a full cast.
ODYSSEY AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, produced by Iris McElroy and Juan García Ticoulat for Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, written and illustrated by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett and narrated by the authors and a full cast.
ODYSSEY HONOR AUDIOBOOKS
The Dead of Summer, produced by Zane Birdwell and Paul Gagne for Scholastic Audio, written by Ryan La Sala and narrated by the author and a full cast
Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, produced by Sydney Mathieu of Eljin Productions, Inc. for Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith and narrated by a full cast
Soundtrack, produced by Dan Zitt and Brian Ramcharan for Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, written by Jason Reynolds and narrated by a full cast
Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen, produced by Iris McElroy and Olivia Langen for Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, written and narrated by James Robinson, illustrated by Brian Rea.
Ojibwe author, Quigley shares the traditional Seven Grandfather teachings in this picture book. Each teaching is accompanied by a creature that symbolizes it. Courage and bravery are like Bear. Thinking of others before yourself, is like Buffalo. Being humble is like Wolf. Through the story, modern Native children are shown, enjoying nature, participating in activism, and connecting with the world around them.
The book speaks directly to the child reading it, using a second person structure. The words are simple and honest, shining on the child and showing them how vital they already are. The book shows that children are valued and their own characteristics live in the Grandfather teachings. The illustrations share the various animals near the children, shining on the page with light.
A quiet and powerful book about self-worth and connection. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
A Good Hide by Karina Iceberg, illustrated by Natasha Donovan
Publisher: Heartdrum
Publication Date: January 13, 2026
Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
ISBN: 9780063254930
In Alaska, after a successful moose hunt, the hide is transformed into quality leather by the community. First, Auntie gives a blessing, then everyone helps scrape the hide until hands are raw. Next comes soaking the hide and stretch it in a variety of ways from drumming to pulling. After that everyone pees on it and then another stretch and a soak in the rain. Next brains are used to create goo that is squished into the hide. It is hung over the fire to let the smoke tan it. More rain, more stretching, more pulling it tight. Finally it is ready to be made into new clothing and items for everyone.
Told by an Alaska Native (Aleut-Alutiiq), this picture book celebrates the hard work, effort and community it takes to follow traditional ways of tanning leather. The process has elements that will surprise readers just learning about it, including peeing on the hide and using brain goo. Those parts make the book all the more interesting for young readers. The illustrations, done by a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia, clearly show the many people who work together on creating leather as well as showing the steps it takes.
A fascinating look at a traditional Native autumn event. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Stronger Than by Nikki Grimes and Stacy Wells, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Publisher: Heartdrum
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
ISBN: 9780063264755
At 8 years old, Dante isn’t scared of almost anything, except the nightmares that he keeps on having. Dante spends his days outside playing in the Oklahoma countryside. He and his brother long to play Choctaw stickball, but they have to wait for their father to come home and do that with them. Night came and so did the nightmares of footsteps coming up behind him and a voice telling him not to run. To help with the dreams, his mother tells him stories of his ancestors, people who survived the Trail of Tears and the Tulsa Race Massacre. The next day, Dante headed to the library to learn even more about his ancestors and the racism they lived through and survived.
Beautifully told by Grimes in prose that reads more like poetry, this picture book shows the power of learning of one’s ancestors and the strength that can be gained from knowing more about them. It is the story of an Afro-Indigenous child, so Dante learns about Black history and Indigenous Choctaw history and draws strength from both. The illustrations are done in watercolor, focusing on the faces of Dante’s ancestors, the connection with his living family members, and the haunting vision of his nightmare.
A quietly powerful picture book about family history. Appropriate for ages 7-9.
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is given for the most distinguished informational book for children published the year before. Here is the medal winner and the five honor books:
The Mildred L. Batchelder Award goes to an outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States. Here is the winning book and the four honor books:
Waking Brain Cells 