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2018 Awards

A color brochure of the 2018 award recipients is available to print and share

The American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), has selected three titles to receive the 2018 American Indian Youth Literature Award. The 2018 AILA Best Picture Book is Shanyaak’utlaax: Salmon Boy (2017), published by Sealaska Heritage Institute, illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade, and edited by Tlingit speakers Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, and Nora Dauenhauer and Tlingit linguist Richard Dauenhauer. The 2018 AILA Best Middle School Book is Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, Volume 1 (2016), published by Native Realities, edited by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo) and featuring the work of Theo Tso (Las Vegas Paiute), Jonathan Nelson (Diné), Kristina Bad Hand (Sičháŋǧu Lakota/Cherokee), Roy Boney Jr. (Cherokee), Lee Francis IV (Laguna Pueblo), Johnnie Diacon (Mvskoke/Creek), Weshoyot Alvitre (Tongva), Renee Nejo (Mesa Grand Band of Mission Indians), and Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo). The 2018 AILA Best Young Adult Book is #Not Your Princess: Voices of Native American Women (2017), published by Annick Press, edited by Lisa Charleyboy (Tsilhqot’in) and Mary Beth Leatherdale.

Winners
Picture Book
Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy (2017)

Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute Illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade, and edited by Tlingit speakers

Middle School
Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, Volume 1 (2016)

Edited by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo) Various contributors Native Realities

Young Adult
#Not Your Princess: Voices of Native American Women (2017)

Edited by Lisa Charleyboy (Tsilhqot’in) and Mary Beth Leatherdale Annick Press


Honor Books
Picture Book
All Around Us (2017)

Written by Xelena González (Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation) Illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia Cinco Puntos Press

Picture Book
Black Bear Red Fox (2017)

Written and illustrated by Julie Flett (Cree/Métis) Native Northwest

Picture Book
Fall in Line, Holden! (2017)

Written and illustrated by Daniel W. Vandever (Diné) Salina Bookshelf, Inc.

Picture Book
I'm Dreaming of...Animals of the Native Northwest (2017)

Written by Melaney Gleeson-Lyall (Musqueam, Coast Salish) Illustrated by First Nations artists Native Northwest

Picture Book
Mission to Space (2016)

Written and illustrated by John Herrington (Chickasaw) White Dog Press

Middle School
The Wool of Jonesy, Part 1 (2016)

Written and illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Diné) Native Realities

Young Adult
Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time: An Indigenous LGBT Sci-Fi Anthology (2016)

Various Authors (Anishinaabe) edited by Hope Nicholson Bedside Press

Young Adult
Marrow Thieves (2017)

Written by Cherie Dimaline (Métis) DCB (submitted by Orca Books)

2018
Fire Starters (2016)

Written by Jen Storm (Ojibway) Illustrated by Scott B. Henderson and colorist Donovan Yaciuk HighWater Press