Edwards Award

margaret a. edwards awardAbout the Edwards Award

The Margaret A. Edwards Award, established in 1988, honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. The annual award is administered by YALSA and sponsored by School Library Journal magazine. It recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world. The Edwards award celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013.

Headshot of Neal Shusterman, a man with a mustache wearing a black shirt, standing confidently with a neutral expression.

2024 Winner: Neal Shusterman

Neal Shusterman wins 2024 Edwards Award for 'The Arc of the Scythe: Scythe, Thunderhead and The Toll,' 'Bruiser,' 'Challenger Deep,' 'Everlost,' 'Full Tilt,' 'The Schwa Was Here' and 'Unwind.'

“Across genres for three decades, Neal Shusterman has met teens where they are by creating stories that center them as leaders, decision makers and agents of positive change,” said Edwards Committee Chair Valerie Davis.

Members of the 2024 Edwards Committee are: Chair Valerie Davis, Newport, Kentucky; Kendra Fitzpatrick, Santa Clarita, California; Karen Keys, Brooklyn, New York; Emily Mills, Cromwell, Connecticut; and Jessica B. Woods, Glen Burnie, Maryland.

Read Neal's speech from the 2024 YALSA Award Celebration here at SLJ.

Covers of the three books in Neal Shusterman's Arc of a Scythe series. From left to right: "Scythe" featuring a robed figure holding a scythe, "Thunderhead" with a similar figure beneath green and blue hues, and "The Toll" with a figure with a blank face.

The Arc of a Scythe series (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Cover of the book "Bruiser" by Neal Shusterman. The background features a close-up of a young person's eye. The title "BRUISER" is written vertically in large, bold, blue letters along the left side.

Bruiser (HarperTeen)

Book cover of "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman, featuring a deep blue underwater theme with a descent into darkness marked by a white, swirling spiral. A National Book Award winner seal is present.

Challenger Deep (HarperTeen)

Book cover of "Everlost" by Neal Shusterman. It features silhouettes of two children, a boy and a girl, standing under an upturned car. The background has a bright light and twisted branches framing the scene.

Everlost (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Cover of the book "Full Tilt" by Neal Shusterman featuring a close-up of intense eyes and a bright, illuminated Ferris wheel in the background. The title "FULL TILT" is prominently displayed in bold, yellow text against a red strip running down the right side.

Full Tilt (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

This is the cover of the book "The Schwa Was Here" by Neal Shusterman. It features a large billboard with a green shirt, blue jeans, and blue sneakers arranged as if being worn, but with no person. The background includes a red building and a pigeon on a Traffic light.

The Schwa Was Here (Dutton)

Book cover for "Unwind" by Neal Shusterman. The cover features a ghostly handprint pressed against a dark, textured surface, with light emanating from the hand. The title "Unwind" appears in a glowing, futuristic font at the bottom, alongside the author's name.

Unwind (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Covers of the three books in Neal Shusterman's Arc of a Scythe series. From left to right: "Scythe" featuring a robed figure holding a scythe, "Thunderhead" with a similar figure beneath green and blue hues, and "The Toll" with a figure with a blank face.
Cover of the book "Bruiser" by Neal Shusterman. The background features a close-up of a young person's eye. The title "BRUISER" is written vertically in large, bold, blue letters along the left side.
Book cover of "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman, featuring a deep blue underwater theme with a descent into darkness marked by a white, swirling spiral. A National Book Award winner seal is present.
Book cover of "Everlost" by Neal Shusterman. It features silhouettes of two children, a boy and a girl, standing under an upturned car. The background has a bright light and twisted branches framing the scene.
Cover of the book "Full Tilt" by Neal Shusterman featuring a close-up of intense eyes and a bright, illuminated Ferris wheel in the background. The title "FULL TILT" is prominently displayed in bold, yellow text against a red strip running down the right side.
This is the cover of the book "The Schwa Was Here" by Neal Shusterman. It features a large billboard with a green shirt, blue jeans, and blue sneakers arranged as if being worn, but with no person. The background includes a red building and a pigeon on a Traffic light.
Book cover for "Unwind" by Neal Shusterman. The cover features a ghostly handprint pressed against a dark, textured surface, with light emanating from the hand. The title "Unwind" appears in a glowing, futuristic font at the bottom, alongside the author's name.

More Information

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.

Award Policies and Procedures

Suggest a Recipient & Titles

Seals

About Margaret Edwards

Current Winner

Previous Winners

Teen Book Finder App

Committee Contacts

The Margaret A. Edwards Award and 30 Years of Young Adult Literature | School Library Journal

Margaret Edwards Award Winner Angela Johnson Just Wants To Tell a Good Story | School Library Journal

From “The Outsiders” to “The First Part Last”: A Margaret A. Edwards Award Time Line | School Library Journal

The Legacy of Margaret A. Edwards and the Birth of an Award | School Library Journal by Past YALSA President Joel Shoemaker

So You Know Your YA Authors. Who’s on Our Cover? | School Library Journal

See what previous winners had to say about the Edwards Award.

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 seal, please learn more here.

Previous Winners