Alex Awards

alex awardsAlex-AWARDSNominee_hires_WMAbout the Alex Award

The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The winning titles are selected from the previous year's publishing. The Alex Awards were first given annually beginning in 1998 and became an official ALA award in 2002.

The award is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust. Edwards pioneered young adult library services and worked for many years at the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. Her work is described in her book Fair Garden and the Swarm of Beasts, and over the years she has served as an inspiration to many librarians who serve young adults. The Alex Awards are named after Edwards, who was called “Alex” by her friends.

The 2024 Alex Award Winners

The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has selected 10 adult books with special appeal to teen readers to receive the 2024 Alex Awards. Find those 10 winners below, and view the full vetted list of official nominations here.

Members of the 2024 Alex Awards Committee are Chair David C. Saia, Heim Middle School, Williamsville, New York; Alicia Abdul, Albany High School, New York; Brianna Arellano-Meli, Berkeley Public Library, California; Katie Cree, Brighton Memorial Library, Rochester, New York; Billie Jo Moffett, Gail Borden Public Library District, Elgin, Illinois; Belle Nelson, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota; Erica Ruscio, Ventress Memorial Library, Marshfield, Massachusetts; Milena S. Streen, St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, Ohio; Anna Tschetter, Memorial Hall Library, Andover, Massachusetts; and Award Administrative Assistant, Jennifer Blanco, Holmes Middle School, Alexandria, Virginia.

The cover of the book Bad Cree: A novel by Jessica Johns. The top half is black text on a white background. The bottom shows the tops of black trees against a red sky.

After waking from a disturbing dream that feels all too real, Mack returns home to finally grieve for her sister. With the help of her family, she uncovers the sinister truth behind her sister's death and the violence experienced by her native community.

Cover of "Chain Gang All-Stars" by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. The background is yellow, featuring a bold black title. A red scythe, broken chains, and flame-like shapes are depicted. Includes a National Book Award Finalist badge and text: "Epic... Intoxicating" — The Atlantic.

In a terrifyingly plausible near future, incarcerated people are given the chance of freedom if they participate in brutal, televised fights to the death.

Cover of the novel "Chlorine" by Jade Song. It features a vibrant depiction of a green sea creature with flowing fins emerging from stylized waves against a red background with white patterns.

Dedicated swimmer Ren’s love of swimming, her obsession with mermaids, and the drive to be the best become dangerously intertwined.

Book cover of "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros. The background features a golden gradient with clouds and a decorative circle. A black dragon silhouette flies across the title, which reads "Graduate or Die" above.

A sweeping, dragon-filled adventure that creates kinetic energy from start to finish.

Book cover of "The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph" by Oksana Masters. It features the author, a woman with long blonde hair, standing confidently outdoors in a winter landscape. She has two prosthetic legs and is dressed in black athletic wear.

Masters’ hard-charging memoir provides an accounting of her childhood in Ukraine before being adopted in the United States and ultimately becoming a medaled Paralympic athlete as a double amputee.

Cover of the book "I Will Greet the Sun Again" by Khashayar J. Khabushani. The image shows three silhouetted individuals playing in the ocean waves at sunset. The background features warm, golden hues, and the author's and endorsement texts are prominently displayed.

After an unexpected trip to Iran with his brothers, K attempts to reconstruct his childhood, fractured by his abusive father, a queer adolescence, and the prejudice he faces as a Muslim American.

Cover of the book "Maame: A Novel" by Jessica George. The design is vibrant with red flowers and green leaves on a pink background, with bold white text overlay. A small emblem indicates it is a New York Times Bestseller and a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

At twenty-four, Maddie is a later bloomer who always puts her family's needs above her own. When she moves out, she finally experiences all the firsts of young adulthood in this earnest and endearing coming-of-age novel.

Book cover of "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi. It features a well-groomed cat wearing a suit and tie, with a serious expression. The tagline "Meet the new boss." is at the top, and the author's name is at the bottom.

How does one almost get murdered at a funeral? You’re about to find out.

Cover of "The Talk" by Darrin Bell. It features an illustration of a young person with braids and a concerned expression, wearing a hoodie. The background is orange with excerpts of comic panels on the sides. The text reads "The Talk - Darrin Bell - Winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

Grasping with his own mortality and reflecting on the brutal murders of African Americans, Darrin Bell must decide whether he and his son are ready to have “The Talk.”

Cover of the book "Whalefall" by Daniel Kraus. It shows a giant whale underwater with a small diver illuminated by light above it.

While on an unwise dive of atonement after his father's suicide off the Pacific coast, 17-year-old Jay Gardiner is swallowed whole by a whale.

The cover of the book Bad Cree: A novel by Jessica Johns. The top half is black text on a white background. The bottom shows the tops of black trees against a red sky.
Cover of "Chain Gang All-Stars" by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. The background is yellow, featuring a bold black title. A red scythe, broken chains, and flame-like shapes are depicted. Includes a National Book Award Finalist badge and text: "Epic... Intoxicating" — The Atlantic.
Cover of the novel "Chlorine" by Jade Song. It features a vibrant depiction of a green sea creature with flowing fins emerging from stylized waves against a red background with white patterns.
Book cover of "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros. The background features a golden gradient with clouds and a decorative circle. A black dragon silhouette flies across the title, which reads "Graduate or Die" above.
Book cover of "The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph" by Oksana Masters. It features the author, a woman with long blonde hair, standing confidently outdoors in a winter landscape. She has two prosthetic legs and is dressed in black athletic wear.
Cover of the book "I Will Greet the Sun Again" by Khashayar J. Khabushani. The image shows three silhouetted individuals playing in the ocean waves at sunset. The background features warm, golden hues, and the author's and endorsement texts are prominently displayed.
Cover of the book "Maame: A Novel" by Jessica George. The design is vibrant with red flowers and green leaves on a pink background, with bold white text overlay. A small emblem indicates it is a New York Times Bestseller and a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.
Book cover of "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi. It features a well-groomed cat wearing a suit and tie, with a serious expression. The tagline "Meet the new boss." is at the top, and the author's name is at the bottom.
Cover of "The Talk" by Darrin Bell. It features an illustration of a young person with braids and a concerned expression, wearing a hoodie. The background is orange with excerpts of comic panels on the sides. The text reads "The Talk - Darrin Bell - Winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
Cover of the book "Whalefall" by Daniel Kraus. It shows a giant whale underwater with a small diver illuminated by light above it.

More Information

Seal Licensing

Individuals who wish to buy small quantities of seals can find them in the ALA Online Store. Publishers wishing to buy bulk seals or license seal images can find more information by consulting YALSA's Award Seals Usage Guidelines and ALA's Seals Sales & Permissions page.

If you'd like to license the winner or nominee seal, please learn more here.

Visit YALSA's Teen Book Finder Database, a one-stop shop for finding selected lists and award winners. Users can search this free resource by award, list name, year, author, genre and more, as well as print customizable lists.

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