For immediate release | January 27, 2025

Lynn Brunelle, Jason Chin win 2025 Sibert Medal

PHOENIX — Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin, author and illustrator of “Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall,” were named the winners of the 2025 Robert F. Sibert Medal for the most distinguished informational book for children published in 2024. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA’s LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24 – 27 in Phoenix.

“Life After Whale,” published by Neal Porter Books, Holiday House, is an informational book about the complex ecosystem engendered by the slow decay of a blue whale’s body on the ocean floor.

“ ‘Life After Whale’ is the surprisingly lovely and respectful story of a blue whale’s life and the ecosystem that develops in her remains,” said Sibert Medal Committee Chair Susan Dove Lempke.

The Sibert Medal Committee selected four Honor Books.

"Call Me Roberto!: Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos,” written by Nathalie Alonso, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers.

"The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II,” written by Candace Fleming and published by Scholastic Focus, an imprint Scholastic Inc.

"The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival,” written by Estelle Nadel and Sammy Savos with Bethany Strout, illustrated by Sammy Savos and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

"Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills,” written by Billy Mills and Donna Janell Bowman, illustrated by S.D. Nelson and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group Inc.

The award was established by ALSC and named to commemorate Robert F. Sibert, founder of Bound to Stay Bound Books Inc., of Jacksonville, Illinois. Sibert was known for his early work in establishing standards of bookbinding.

Members of the 2025 Sibert Medal Committee are Chair Susan Dove Lempke, Lincolnwood Public Library, Illinois; Rita Auerbach, Port Washington (NY) Public Schools, Retired, New York; Carmen Lynette Boston, DC Public Library, Washington D.C.; Robin L. Gibson, Fairfield County District Library, Carroll, Ohio; Stefanie Isabel Ivie, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District; Evelyn Keolian, Chicago Public Library; Marcia Kochel, Druid Hills Middle School, Decatur, Georgia; Melanie Koss, Northern Illinois University; Bernadette A. Lear, Penn State University Libraries; and Shaunterria Owens, North Miami Public Library (Award Administrative Assistant).

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.

For information on the Robert F. Sibert Medal and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.

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