2025 Odyssey Awards for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Children and Young Adults announced

PHOENIX — Dreamscape Audio, producer of the audiobook "A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen,” has won the 2025 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Children. HarperAudio, producer of the audiobook "How the Boogeyman Became a Poet,” has won the 2025 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Young Adults. The awards were announced today during the American Library Association’s (ALA) LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24 – 27 in Phoenix.

The Odyssey Awards are given to the producer of the best audiobooks produced for children (0-14) and young adults (12-18) available in English in the United States during the preceding eligibility year. One winner may be selected for each age category with a single honor list comprised of titles for both age categories. The award is jointly administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), divisions of the ALA, and is sponsored by Booklist magazine.

“A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen,” written by Erin Frankel, narrated by Luis Carlos de La Lombana, and produced by Andy T. Jones for Dreamscape Audio, is a moving biography of Chef José Andrés, brilliantly brought to life by detailed sound effects, music, and lyrical Castilian accented narration. The audio transports listeners to the World Central Kitchen, where they can almost taste the paella as it sizzles. This story of a renowned humanitarian will inspire all.

“A stunning, musical audiobook, ‘A Plate of Hope’ delicately combines sounds like flavorful ingredients to cook up a magical experience with Chef José Andrés,” said Odyssey Award Committee Chair Ruth Shaw.

“How the Boogeyman Became a Poet,” written and narrated by Tony Keith Jr. and produced by Abigail Marks for HarperAudio, is a memoir in verse that tells a coming-of-age story of the author as a closeted, gay, Black teen. As Keith details his life in a rhythmic narration, subtle background noise adds texture and depth. Listeners witness Keith overcoming the adversities of racism and homophobia to experience the joys of first loves and self-discovery.

“The author’s narration of, ‘How the Boogeyman Became a Poet’ gives audiences the simultaneous experience of a slam poetry reading and an intimate conversation between friends,” said Shaw.

Four Honor Audiobooks also were named:

“Black Girl You Are Atlas,” written and narrated by Renée Watson and produced by Brian Ramcharan for Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

“Dispatches from Parts Unknown,” written by Bryan Bliss, narrated by Joy Nash, and produced by Almeda Beynon for HarperAudio, an imprint of HarperCollins.

“Girls Like Her,” written by Melanie Sumrow, narrated by Melanie Sumrow and January LaVoy, and produced by Abigail Marks for HarperAudio, an imprint of HarperCollins.

“You Are Brave” written by Margaret O’Hair and Sofia Sanchez, narrated by Sofia Sanchez, and produced by Paul Gagne and John Pels for Scholastic Audio, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Audiobooks constitute a fast-growing area of usage in libraries. The award is named after the epic poem titled, “The Odyssey,” which was told and retold in the oral tradition and eventually ascribed by the poet Homer on the tales of Ulysses as he returns to his kingdom after the Trojan War. The Odyssey Award allows us to return to the ancient roots of storytelling, while living in our modern world.

Members of the 2025 Odyssey Award Committee are: Chair Ruth Shaw, Alvin Sherman Library, Davie, Florida; Anush Balayan, Arapahoe Libraries, Colorado; Bethany Bratney, Novi High School, Michigan; Rowan Buck, Sacramento Public Library, California; Emily M. Carlson, Beaverton School District, Oregon; Rosa H. Diaz, Rochester Public Library, New York; Christina P. Dominique-Pierre, Buckingham Browne & Nichols Middle School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Jean M. Jansen, Villa Park Public Library; Illinois; Dr. Jen Spisak, Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia; Mary R. Voors, Allen County Public Library (retired), Fort Wayne, Indiana; Administrative Assistant Shannon Craycraft, Nile C. Kinnick High School, Yokosuka, Kanagawa Japan

For information on the Odyssey Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org

About the Association for Library Service to Children

ALSC, a division of the American Library Association, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 3,300 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for all children through libraries. Visit www.ala.org/alsc.

About the Young Adult Library Services Association

The mission of the YALSA is to support library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens ‒ especially those with the greatest needs ‒ on the path to successful and fulfilling lives. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources, go to www.ala.org/yalsa or contact the YALSA office at e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.