2027 Youth Media and Literacy Awards (Grouped by Age)A comprehensive guide to the upcoming cycle for major youth media and global literacy awards, detailing event timelines and categories organized by target age group.Schedule and Event DetailsThe American Library Association has announced the official logistics for the upcoming cycle:
- Announcement Date: Monday, January 25, 2027
- Time: Starting exactly at 10:00 AM CT
- Location: Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605)
- In-Person Attendance: The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The deadline to register is Wednesday, January 21, 2027.
- Livestream Access: Broadcasted worldwide via a free online live stream on the ALA Youth Media Awards Livestream Portal and on the official ALA Facebook Page. No registration is required to watch online.
Awards by Target Age Group Early Learners and Beginning Readers
- Early Learning Digital Media Awards: Recognizing distinguished digital media produced for early learners.
- Theodor Seuss Geisel Award: For the most distinguished beginning reader book.
Children and Middle Grade (Up to Age 14)
- John Newbery Medal: For the most distinguished contribution to American children's literature.
- Randolph Caldecott Medal: For the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book.
- Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal: For the most distinguished informational book published in English.
- Mildred L. Batchelder Award: For an outstanding children's book originally published in a foreign language and subsequently translated into English.
Young Adults and Teens (Ages 12 to 18)
- Michael L. Printz Award: For literary excellence in young adult literature.
- William C. Morris Award: Honoring a debut book published by a first-time author writing for young adults.
- YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: For the best nonfiction title written for young adults.
- Alex Awards: Ten adult books that have special appeal to young adult readers.
Broad Age Categories (Covers Children through Teens)
- Coretta Scott King Book Awards: Recognizing African American authors and illustrators who depict the African American experience.
- Pura Belpré Awards: Honoring Latino writers and illustrators whose work affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience.
- Schneider Family Book Award: For books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.
- Stonewall Book Award: Recognizing LGBTQ+ experiences in children’s and young adult literature.
- Odyssey Award: For the best audiobooks produced for children and young adults.
Lifetime and Career Achievement (All Audiences)
- Children's Literature Legacy Award: Honoring an author or illustrator whose entire body of work has made a substantial, lasting contribution to children's literature.
- Margaret A. Edwards Award: For significant and lasting lifetime contributions to young adult literature.
- Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award: A lifetime achievement distinction for authors, illustrators, or practitioners.
Global Institutional and Leadership Literacy AwardsOutside of individual book honors, major global literacy prizes are tracking along these timelines:
- International Literacy Association Awards: Submissions honoring research, community advocacy, and educator excellence are due by February 1, 2027. Review full submission guidelines on the International Literacy Association Awards Portal.
- Library of Congress Literacy Awards: This cycle will distribute large philanthropic cash grants ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 dollars to top organizations advancing public reading metrics. The submission window opens in early 2027. Review the criteria on the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Homepage.
- World Literacy Awards: Nominations remain active through the World Literacy Foundation for individuals or schools deploying remote or digital reading programs in underserved communities.