On January 27th, with coffee and breakfast treats in hand, the employees of Lerner Publishing Group gathered to watch the American Library Association’s 2025 Youth Media Awards. While Monday might have been the official party, we’ve been celebrating ever since. Let’s take a closer look at the books, authors, and illustrators recognized!
Carole Boston Weatherford Receives the Children’s Literature Legacy Award
Carole Boston Weatherford is the winner of the 2025 Children’s Literature Legacy Award which honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children’s lives and experiences.
Weatherford’s books include Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, which was the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, a Sibert Honor, and winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards for Author and Illustrator; Call Me Miss Hamilton: One Woman’s Case for Equality and Respect which was named a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books; and The Doll Test: Choosing Equality which Booklist acclaimed in a starred review as, “Impactful and compelling.”
An Etrog from Across the Sea wins the Sydney Taylor Book Award
An Etrog from Across the Sea written by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky, illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen has won the Sydney Taylor Book Award in the Picture Book category. The Sydney Taylor Book Award “is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience,” and is organized by the Association of Jewish Libraries.
In this devastatingly heartfelt story, a father promises to bring home the most perfect etrog for Sukkot from across the sea. But when Leah, Aaron, Mama, and Grandpapa Luis wait at the New York dock for Papa’s ship to return, it doesn’t come. Grandpapa Luis tells the children not to worry and gives Leah a beautiful silver cup. As the days pass by Leah wonders whether the silver cup Grandpapa Luis gave her will be empty or have an etrog to hold.
Co-author Deborah Bodin Cohen shared her thoughts on the recognition saying, “What an honor to be recognized by the Sydney Taylor Book Committee! I am thrilled and humbled that An Etrog from Across the Sea has been given a place among all the exceptional Sydney Taylor award winners. We wrote An Etrog from Across the Seas as a window into the Colonial Jewish life in the United States and the Sephardic American experience. Although Leah and Aaron live in a very different time than today’s readers, their story of resilience, joyful celebration, and, yes, sibling rivalry is timeless.”
“It is an honor to be recognized for An Etrog from Across the Sea and receive this coveted award in the field of Jewish children’s literature,” agreed co-author Kerry Olitzky. “I was first introduced to this period of American Jewish history and the family through my own teacher, Jacob Rader Marcus, of blessed memory. And so I am thrilled to be able to share some insights into it to young children and their parents, teachers and others who might also enjoy the lens we have provided through our story.”
Illustrator Stacey Dressen McQueen couldn’t have been more excited to hear the news. She stated, “An Etrog from Across the Sea holds so much warmth, love and hope in its pages, I am thrilled to have it acknowledged with this meaningful award alongside the beautiful storytellers, Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky.”
An Etrog from Across the Sea | Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky; illus. by Stacey Dressen McQueen | Interest Level: Grade PreK-4 | Reading Level: Grade 3 | 32 Pages | HC: 979-8-7656-0449-6
Three titles this year received Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable distinctions:
- Things That Shimmer by Deborah Lakritz follows middle-schooler Melanie who desperately wants to be accepted by the popular kids in her class—until she gets to know the new girl in town. Soon she must choose between popularity and true friendship.
- Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah by Linda Leopold Strauss and illustrated by Tim Smart is the true story of the famous Sarajevo Haggadah. Used for centuries and declared a treasure, people of many faiths have protected the haggadah up to this day.
- Finally Inkflower by Suzy Zail, published by our partners Walker Books Australia, is a gritty YA novel about family secrets, hope, and healing. Based on a true story, Lisa’s father has six months to live when he decides to tell a story he has kept hidden about a boy sent to Auschwitz—a boy who lost everything and started again. But Lisa doesn’t want to hear it because she has secrets too.
Things that Shimmer | Deborah Lakritz | Interest Level: Grade 3-6 | Reading Level: Grade 3 | 272 Pages | HC: 978-1-7284-7626-1
Everybody’s Book | Linda Leopold Strauss; illus. by Tim Smart | Interest Level: Grade PreK-2 | Reading Level: Grade 2 | 32 Pages | HC: 978-1-7284-8646-8
Inkflower | Suzy Zail | Interest Level: Grade 9-12 | Reading Level: Grade 9 | 384 Pages | HC: 978-1-76065-939-4
The Rock in My Throat received an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Picture Book Honor
In The Rock in My Throat author Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a young Hmong refugee navigating life at home and at school. Having seen the poor treatment her parents received when making their best efforts at speaking English, she no longer speaks at school. Kalia feels as though a rock has become lodged in her throat, and it grows heavier each day. Although the narrative is somber, it is also infused with moments of beauty, love, and hope. Accompanied by earth-toned illustrations by Jiemei Lin, readers can see these gentle moments unfold.
Lauded throughout 2024 with a Booklist starred review and numerous awards including The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Award, this picture book was selected for an Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Picture Book Honor. This award honors and recognizes individual works by Asian/Pacific American authors that highlight Asian/Pacific American cultures and experiences.
“I am thankful that Asian American librarians across the nation have come together to recognize the work of Asian American creators like me and Jiemei,” author Kao Kalia Yang stated. “The Rock in My Throat is an important story about young Kalia’s inability to speak growing up, her inability to communicate in a language she realizes has little room for her mother and father. It is the story of many children across America and around the world, even those who speak fluently; the book is a reminder that the languages we inhabit can grow and extend their reaches to welcome others into community and into being. Thank you for hearing a silent girl’s cries for understanding, and recognizing its importance for all of us.”
Illustrator Jiemei Lin celebrated when she heard the news, saying, “What a wonderful way to start the year of Snake with such a huge honor; I am grateful to everyone on the committee for recognizing our creativity and hard work. Collaborating with Kao Kalia was a significant milestone for me as a practicing artist and a global citizen. I am grateful to everyone from Lerner Publishing and my book agent, Jen. I am thankful for all the support and love from my partner and son; they are my daily inspirations! I dedicated the art of The Rock in My Throat to my parents. They were two children who went through grief, loss, and trauma and grew into two kind and giving adults.”
The Rock in My Throat| Kao Kalia Yang; illus. by Jiemei Lin | Interest Level: Grade K-4 | Reading Level: Grade 2 | 32 Pages | HC: 978-1-7284-4568-7
Cruzita and the Mariacheros Selected as a Pura Belpré Children’s Author Honor Book
Cruzita and the Mariacheros combines music, family, heritage, and legacy into one delicious story. In this middle-grade novel Cruzita dreams of becoming a pop star, but for now she has to help out at her family’s struggling bakery and take dreaded mariachi lessons. But as she gets past her self-consciousness about not being fluent in Spanish and discovers the heart and soul of mariachi music, she realizes that there’s more than one way to be a star—and more than one way to carry on a legacy.
The Pura Belpré Award seeks to promote Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Author Ashley Granillo was moved upon learning of this award and shared her thoughts. “For Cruzita and the Mariacheros to be commended as a Pura Belpré Honor Book means that the idea of heritage and identity is no longer gatekept, that we recognize that our social and political circumstances shape why and how Latine children are raised in close proximity to or at a distance from their culture. For the first time, I am not second guessing my worth as a Mexican American woman, and a no sabo kid. This distinction has simultaneously lifted and added weight on my shoulders, and yet, it is more like a hug, an unconditional welcoming from my community.”
Cruzita and the Mariacheros | Ashley Granillo | Interest Level: Grade 6-8 | Reading Level: Grade 6 | 248 Pages | HC: 979-8-7656-0850-0
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