American Indian Youth Literature Awards

Literary award

The American Indian Library Association (AILA) awards are presented every two years to recognize the most outstanding contributions to children's literature by and about American Indians. The awards were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. Books selected to receive the award will present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts.[1]

## History

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The first American Indian Library Association American Indian Youth Literature Awards were presented during the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color in 2006.

## Criteria

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* Authors (for illustrated books, both author AND illustrator) must be recognized by the Native community of which they claim to be a part and be connected to the people of that community.
* For anthologies, at least two thirds of the authors must be recognized members of the community to which they claim affiliation.
* Books must have been published after October of the year before the last awards were given (i.e., the odd-numbered year preceding the previous award cycle; after October 2017 for the 2020 awards, etc.).
* Indigenous-language text and audio materials are encouraged, and every effort will be made to provide accurate translation for the committee when possible, but the committee’s common language is English.
* Books may be nominated for consideration by the AIYLA Jury, publishers, librarians, authors, illustrators, and others.
* The Awards go beyond merely naming the best creator of a particular art form in a certain year to representing the ideals of our multiple communities. Native authors and illustrators are role models for young people. For that reason, AILA does not endorse authors who appropriate other cultures or who behave in ways that dishonor others. [2]

Up to 5 honor books may be selected in each category.

## Recipients

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American Indian Youth Literature Award Winners [3] Year  | Category  | Recipient  | Title  | Citation

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2006  | Best Picture Book | Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (author) with Johnny Arlee (contributor) and Sam Sandoval (illustrator)  | Beaver Steals Fire: A Salish Coyote Story | Winner
Best Middle School Book | Louise Erdrich | The Birchbark House | Winner
Best Young Adult Book | Joseph Bruchac | Hidden Roots | Winner
2008  | Best Picture Book | Tim Tingle (author) with Jeanne Rorex Bridges (illustrator)  | Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom | Winner
Best Middle School Book | Joseph Medicine Crow | Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond | Winner
Best Young Adult Book | ~~Sherman Alexie~~ | ~~The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian~~ | ~~Winner~~
(Rescinded 2018) [4]
2010  | Best Picture Book | Thomas King (author) with Gary Clement (illustrator)  | A Coyote Solstice Tale | Winner
Best Middle School Book | Genevieve Simermeyer | Meet Christopher: An Osage Indian Boy from Oklahoma | Winner
Best Young Adult Book | Lurline Wailana McGregor | Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me | Winner
2012  | Best Picture Book  | Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (author) with Ellen Beier (illustrator)  | The Christmas Coat | Winner
Tim Tingle (author) with Karen Clarkson (illustrator)  | Saltypie: a Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light | Honor
Kekauleleanae'ole Kawai'ae'a (author) with Aaron Kawai'ae'a (illustrator)  | Kohala Kuamo'o: Nae'ole's Race to Save a King
Robert Lono Ikuwa (author) with Matthew Kawika Ortiz (illustrator)  | Mohala Mai 'o Hau

How Hau Became Hau'ula (English)

Margaret Manuel | I See Me
Best Middle School Book  | Jacqueline Guest | Free Throw & Triple Threat | Winner
Melanie Florence | Jordin Tootoo: the Highs and Lows in the Journey to the First Inuit to Play in the NHL | Honor
Anton Treuer et al. | Awesiinyensag: Dibaajimowinan ji-Gikinoo'amaageng
Victor Schilling | Native Defenders of the Environment and other titles in the "Native Trailblazers series.
Best Young Adult Book | Adam Fortunate Eagle | Pipestone: My Life in an Indian Boarding School | Winner
2014  | Best Picture Book | Tomson Highway (author) with John Rombough (illustrator)  | Caribou Song, Atihko Oonagamoon | Winner
Best Middle School Book  | Tim Tingle | How I Became a Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story | Winner
Tim Tingle | Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner | Honor
Best Young Adult Book  | Joseph Bruchac | Killer of Enemies | Winner
Eric Gansworth | If I Ever Get Out of Here | Honor
2016  | Best Picture Book  | Richard Van Camp (author) with Julie Flett (illustrator)  | Little You | Winner
S. D. Nelson | Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People | Honor
Best Middle School Book  | Joseph Marshall III (author) with James Mark Yellowhawk (illustrator)  | In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse | Winner
Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale (editors)  | Dreaming in Indian Contemporary Native Voices | Honor
Best Young Adult Book  | Tim Tingle | House of Purple Cedar | Winner
Evangeline Parsons Yazzie | Her Land, Her Love | Honor
2018  | Best Picture Book | Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, Nora Dauenhauer, and Richard Dauenhauer (editors) with Michaela Goade (illustrator),  | Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy | Winner
Best Middle School Book | Arigon Starr (editor) with Theo Tso, Jonathan Nelson, Kristina Bad Hand, Roy Boney Jr., Lee Francis IV, Johnnie Diacon, Weshoyot Alvitre, Renee Nejo, and Michael Sheyahshe (contributors)  | Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, Volume 1 | Winner
Best Young Adult Book | Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale (editors)  | # Not Your Princess: Voices of Native American Women | Winner
2020  | Best Picture Book  | Brenda J. Child (author) with Gordon Jourdain (translator) and Jonathan Thunder (illustrator)  | Bowwow Powwow: Bagosenjige-niimi’idim | Winner
Kevin Noble Maillard (author) with Juana Martinez-Neal (illustrator)  | Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story | Honor
Julie Flett (author and illustrator)  | Birdsong
Traci Sorell (author) with Weshoyot Alvitre (illustrator)  | At the Mountain's Base
Traci Sorell (author) with Frané Lessac (illustrator)  | We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Janine Gibbons (adaptor and illustrator)  | Raven Makes the Aleutians
Best Middle Grade Book  | Charlene Willing McManis (author) with Traci Sorell | Indian No More | Winner
Christine Day | I Can Make This Promise | Honor
Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (author) with Natasha Donovan (illustrator)  | The Grizzly Mother
Best Young Adult Book  | Cynthia Leitich Smith (author)  | Hearts Unbroken | Winner
Tasha Spillett (author) with Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)  | Surviving the City | Honor
Angela Hovak Johnston (author) with Cora De Vos (photography)  | Reawakening Our Ancestors’ Lines: Revitalizing Inuit Traditional Tattooing
Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza (authors), adapted from Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz's An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States | An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People
Dawn Quigley | Apple in the Middle
2022[5] | Best Picture Book  | Daniel W. Vandever (author) with Corey Begay (illus.)  | Herizon | Winner
Morgan Asoyuf | Learning My Rights with Mousewoman | Honor
Traci Sorell (author) with Natasha Donovan (illustrator)  | Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer
Jolyana Begay-Kroupa (author) with Corey Begay (designer)  | Diné Bich’eekę Yishłeeh (Diné Bizaad) /

Becoming Miss Navajo (English)

Tasha Spillett-Sumner (author) with Michaela Goade (illustrator)  | I Sang You Down From the Stars
Traci Sorell (author) with Frané Lessac (illustrator)  | We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know
Best Middle School  | Brian Young | Healer of the Water Monster | Winner
Katrina M. Phillips (author) with Tashia Hart (illustrator)  | Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Honor
Diane Wilson (author) with Tashia Hart (Illustrator)  | Ella Cara Deloria: Dakota Language Protector
Jessica Engelking (author) with Tashia Hart (Illustrator)  | Peggy Flanagan: Ogimaa Kwe, Lieutenant Governor
Christine Day | The Sea in Winter
Dawn Quigley (author) with Tara Audibert (illustrator)  | Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best Friend
Best Young Adult  | Eric Gansworth | Apple (Skin to the Core) | Winner
Chag Lowry (author) with Rahsan Ekedal (illustrator)  | Soldiers Unknown | Honor
Adrienne Keene (author) with Ciara Sana (illustrator)  | Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present
Cherie Dimaline | Hunting by Stars
Darcie Little Badger | Elatsoe
Angeline Boulley | Firekeeper’s Daughter
2024[6] | Best Picture Book  | Laurel Goodluck (author) with Jonathan Nelson (illustrator)  | Forever Cousins | Winner
Kim Rogers (author) with Jonathan Nelson (illustrator)  | A Letter for Bob
Lily Hope (author) with Kelsey Mata Foote (illustrator)  | Celebration | Honor
Traci Sorell (author) with Arigon Starr (illustrator)  | Contenders
Michaela Goade | Berry Song
Joy Harjo (author) with Michaela Goade (illustrator)  | Remember
Laurel Goodluck (author) with Madelyn Goodnight (illustrator)  | Rock Your Mocs
Best Middle School  | Christine Day | We Still Belong | Winner
Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson | Eagle Drums | Honor
Traci Sorell and Charles Waters  | Mascot
Dawn Quigley (author) with Tara Audibert (illustrator)  | Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants
Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day
Christine Day (author) with Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (illustrators)  | She Persisted: Maria Tallchief
Traci Sorell (author) with Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (illustrators)  | She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller
Laurel Goodluck (author) with Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (illustrators)  | She Persisted: Deb Haaland
Best Young Adult  | Byron Graves | Rez Ball | Winner
Angeline Boulley | Warrior Girl Unearthed | Honor
Cherie Dimaline | Funeral Songs for Dying Girls
Andrea L. Rogers (author) and Jeff Edwards  | Man Made Monsters
Lorinda Martinez | Running with Changing Woman
Brian Young | Heroes of the Water Monster

## See also

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Portal:

* Children's literature

## References

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1. ^ "American Indian Youth Literature Award – American Indian Library Association". ailanet.org. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
2. ^ "AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH LITERATURE AWARD CRITERIA" (PDF). American Indian Library Association. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
3. ^ "American Indian Youth Literature Award". American Indian Library Association. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
4. ^ Yorio, Kara. "AILA Rescinds Sherman Alexie's 2008 YA Book of the Year Award". School Library Journal. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
5. ^ Morales, Macey (2022-01-24). "American Library Association announces 2022 Youth Media Award winners". American Library Association. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
6. ^ "American Library Association announces 2024 Youth Media Award winners" (PDF). American Library Association. Retrieved 22 January 2024.

## External links

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* [1]