American Indian Youth Literature Awards are announced in even years and were established to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by American Indians and Alaska Natives. Selected titles present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts.
This year’s winners include: Picture Book: “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; Middle Grade Book: “We Still Belong,” written by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), cover art by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; and Young Adult Book: “Rez Ball,” written by Byron Graves (Ojibwe), jacket art by Natasha Donovan (Métis) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Picture Honor Books included “Celebration,” by Lily Hope (Tlingit), illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote (Tlingit) and published by Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI); “Contenders,” by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe) and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House; “Berry Song,” written and illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation) and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; “Remember,” 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; and “Rock Your Mocs,” by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Middle Grade Honor Books selected are “Eagle Drums,” written and illustrated by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Iñupiaq) and published by Roaring Brook Press; “Mascot,” by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation) and Charles Waters, jacket illustration by Nicole Neidhardt (Navajo) and published by Charlesbridge; “Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants,” 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,” 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,” 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,” by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint and published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House; and “She Persisted: Deb Haaland,” 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.
Young Adult Honor Books are “Warrior Girl Unearthed,” 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,” by Cherie Dimaline (Métis) and published Tundra Books, an imprint of Tundra Book Group, a division of Penguin Random House of Canada Limited; “Man Made Monsters,” by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Jeff Edwards (Cherokee Nation) and published by Levine Querido; “Running with Changing Woman,” by Lorinda Martinez (Diné), cover design by Brittany Gene (Navajo) and published by Salina Bookshelf; and “Heroes of the Water Monster,” by Brian Young (Navajo Nation), jacket art by Shonto Begay (Diné) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Members of the 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Awards committee are AILA President Allison Waukau (Menominee and Navajo), Co-Chairs Joy Bridwell (Chippewa Cree Tribe) and Danielle Burbank (Diné), Tara Kenjockety (Ho-Chunk and Seneca Nations), Mandi Harris (Cherokee Nation), Naomi Bishop (Akimel O’otham), Kelley Klor (Cherokee Nation) , Debbie Reese (Nambé Owingeh), Ophelia Spencer (Diné), and Duane Yazzie (Hopi and Navajo).
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. Learn more at https://ailanet.org/.