2024 American Indian Youth Literature Awards announced

BALTIMORE — The American Indian Youth Literature Award-winning titles were announced during the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards, the premier announcement of the best in children’s and young adult literature. 

Awarded biennially, the award identifies and honors the best writings and illustrations for youth, by and about Native American and Indigenous peoples of North America. Works selected to receive the award, in picture book, middle grade, and young adult categories, present Native American and Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity in present, past and future contexts.

According to 2024 jury co-chairs Danielle Burbank and Joy Bridwell, “The award is held in high regard across Indian Country because our stories were not told by us, they were told by others. The uniqueness of our stories hold value in history, family, and ceremony. These 2024 award winners celebrate our resilience, humor and joy.”

The 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award winner for best picture book is shared between “Forever Cousins,” written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo/Diné) and published by Charlesbridge; and “A Letter for Bob,” written by Kim Rogers (Wichita & Affiliated Tribes), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo/Diné) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Nelson, a visual artist for modern Native stories, receives honors for both books. Both titles also present realistic, contemporary Native life in a positive and humorous light. Each book features the importance of family, togetherness and traditions.

The committee selected five Picture Book Honor titles including:

• “Rock Your Mocs,” written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
• “Berry Song,” written and illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation) and published by Little, Brown and Co., a division of Hachette Book Group
• “Remember,” written by Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Nation), illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation) and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House
• “Contenders,” written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe) and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House
• “Celebration,” written by Lily Hope (Tlingit), illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote (Tlingit) and published by Sealaska Heritage Institute

The 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award winner for best Middle Grade Book is “We Still Belong,” written by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), cover art by Madelyn Goodnigh (Chickasaw Nation) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

An engaging book about Indigenous pride, family and self-confidence, the story follows Wesley, the main character, who experiences the ups and downs of a typical middle school student, and in the end, finds herself surrounded by the love of her Indigenous community and family. 

The committee selected seven Middle School Book Honor titles including:

• “Eagle Drums,” written and illustrated by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Iñupiaq) and published by Roaring Brook Press
• “Mascot,” written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation) and Charles Waters, jacket illustration by Nicole Neidhardt (Navajo) and published by Charlesbridge
• “Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants,” written by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
• “Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day,” written by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
• “She Persisted: Maria Tallchief,” written by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint and published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House
• “She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller,” written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint and published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House
• “She Persisted: Deb Haaland,” written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint and published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House

The American Indian Youth Literature Award for best Young Adult Book is “Rez Ball,” written by Byron Graves (Ojibwe), jacket art by Natasha Donovan (Métis) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Rez Ball is a riveting play-by-play debut book about Tre Brun from the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. The book is relatable among tribal communities because sports, basketball in particular, is a popular pastime for many young people. Basketball represents a way for multiple generations to connect and celebrate.

The award committee selected five Young Adult Book Honor titles including:

• “Warrior Girl Unearthed,” written by Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), jacket illustrations by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation) and published by Henry Holt and Company, a trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group
• “Funeral Songs for Dying Girls,” written by Cherie Dimaline (Métis) and published by Tundra Books, an imprint of Tundra Book Group, a division of Penguin Random House of Canada Limited
• “Man Made Monsters,” written by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Jeff Edwards (Cherokee Nation) and published by Levine Querido
• “Running with Changing Woman,” written by Lorinda Martinez (Diné), cover design by Brittany Gene (Navajo) and published by Salina Bookshelf
• “Heroes of the Water Monster,” written by Brian Young (Navajo Nation), jacket art by Shonto Begay (Diné) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Members of the American Indian Youth Literature Award are AILA President Allison Waukau, Menominee and Navajo, Minneapolis; Chair Danielle Burbank, Diné, Farmington, New Mexico; Co-Chair Joy Bridwell, Chippewa Cree Tribe, Box Elder, Montana; Naomi Bishop, Akimel O’odham Gila River, Mesa, Arizona; Mandi Harris, Cherokee Nation, Seattle; Tara Kenjockety, Ho-Chunk Nation and Seneca Nation, South Bend, Indiana; Kelley Klor, Cherokee Nation, Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Debbie Reese, Nambé Owingeh, Washington, DC; Ophelia Spencer, Diné, Window Rock, Arizona; and Duane Yazzie, Hopi and Navajo, Rock Springs, New Mexico.

The American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve library cultural and informational services in school, public, and academic libraries. AILA is committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values and traditions to the library community.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for 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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