‘Lunar Boy’ and ‘Canto Contigo’ win 2025 Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards

PHOENIX — “Lunar Boy,” by Jes and Cin Wibowo and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers;and “Canto Contigo,” by Jonny Garza Villa, published by Wednesday Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group; are the 2025 recipients of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award.

The awards were announced today by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Stonewall Book Awards – Children’s & Young Adult Committee of the Rainbow Round Table, during the ALA’s LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, held January 24 – 27, in Phoenix.

The Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards are given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. The award will be presented to the winning authors or editors at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Philadelphia in June.

“We fell in love with these beautiful stories about diverse queer youth finding self-acceptance and community, which is so important in these uncertain times,” said Stonewall Book Awards – Children’s and Young Adult Committee Co-chairs Derek Ivie and Amber Loveless.

One Stonewall Book Award — Children’s Award Book was named: “Lunar Boy.”

Moon-child Indu’s definition of home, family and identity are challenged when he moves to New Earth with his adoptive mother. His loneliness draws him back to the moon. Rooted in Indonesian culture, this luminous graphic novel centers a trans protagonist searching for his place in the universe.

One Stonewall Book Award — Young Adult Award Book was named: “Canto Contigo.”

Talented singer Rafael wrestles with ego, heart and grief as he prepares for his final high school mariachi competition. His chief vocal rival is Rey, the trans boy who stole his heart months ago. This culturally rich queer romance set in Texas celebrates music, first love and becoming your best self.

Eight Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Award Honor Books were named:

“The Flicker,” written by H.E. Edgmon and published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.

“Marley’s Pride,” written by Joëlle Retener, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley and published by Barefoot Books.

“Most Ardently: A Pride and Prejudice Remix,” written by Gabe Cole Novoa and published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan.

“Murray Out of Water,” written by Taylor Tracy and published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

“Navigating with You,” written by Jeremy Whitley, illustrated by Cassio Ribeiro, lettered by Nikki Foxrobot and published by Maverick, an imprint of Mad Cave Studios.

“Road Home,” written by Rex Ogle and published by Norton Young Readers, an Imprint of W.W. Norton & Company Inc.

“Time and Time Again,” written by Chatham Greenfield and published by Bloomsbury YA, Bloomsbury Publishing Inc.

“What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice,” written by Jay Leslie, illustrated by Loveis Wise and published by Hillman Grad Books, a Zando imprint.

The members of the 2025 Stonewall Book Awards - Children’s and Young Adult Committee are:
Co-chair Derek J. Ivie, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, New York; Co-chair Amber R. Loveless, Queens Public Library, New York; Alec B. Chunn, Multnomah County Library, Oregon; Elisa Gall, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Illinois; Dr. Erika Hogan, Ohio; Kristin MK Jones, Rogers Public Library, Arkansas; Jessica Jupitus, Tempe Public Library, Arizona; Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Library Association, Connecticut; Jenna Loise, Duke School, Durham, North Carolina; Amanda Melilli, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Amy R. Ojserkis, Atlantic County Institute of Technology, Mays Landing, New Jersey; Chelsey Roos, Santa Clara County Library District, California; Dr. Barbara A. Ward, University of New Orleans, Louisiana; Dr. Kevin M. Washburn, District of Columbia Public Schools.

For information on the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.

The Rainbow Round Table (RRT) – formerly known as the GLBTRT – of the American Library Association is the oldest professional association for LGBTQIA+ people in the United States. It is committed to serving the information needs of the LGBTQIA+ professional library community and information and access needs of individuals at large. It is home to GLBT Book Month™, a nationwide celebration every June and the Stonewall Book Award, the first award honoring LGBTQIA+ books. The Rainbow Round Table is committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the American Library Association and democratic institutions.

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

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