Joy for Books Awards

The Joy for Books Awards honor excellence in culturally diverse children's books across the following categories, celebrating authors, illustrators, and publishers contributing to children's literature's richness and inclusivity.

2024 Winners

Best Early Literacy Books

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns by Hena Khan, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, illustrated by Isabel Roxas

Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Shiho Pate

Rooftop Garden by Danna Smith, illustrated by Pati Aguilera

Until You Find the Sun: A Story About Discovering Home Wherever You Go by Maryam Hassan, illustrated by Anna Wilson

Best Books for Kindergarten & Grade 1

More Than Peach by Bellen Woodard, illustrated by Fanny Liem

Our Nipa Hut: A Story in the Philippines by Rachell Abalos, illustrated by Gabriela Larios

Remembering by Xelena González, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia

When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke

Yoga Nidra Lullaby by Rina Deshpande

Best Books for Grade 2 & 3 Books

Dancing the Tinikling by Bobbie Peyton, illustrated by Diobelle Cerna

Lion Lights: My Invention That Made Peace with Lions by Richard Turere and Shelly Pollock, illustrated by Sonia Maria Luce Possentini

The Great Banned Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil, illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

The Sole Man by Shana Keller, illustrated by Stephen Costanza

Think Like a Computer: Teaching Girls to Code by Terysa Ridgeway, illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama

Wild Greens, Beautiful Girl by Erica Lee Schlaikjer, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu

Best Books for Grades 4 & 5

Empanadas for Everyone by Jackie Azúa Kramer, illustrated by Lenny Wen

How Do You Spell Unfair: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Marley's Pride by Joëlle Retener, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley

Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Gwendolyn Hooks, illustrated by Margaux Carpentier

Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by Ekua Holmes

Best Books for Middle School

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Hands by Torrey Maldonado

Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes

Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena Barron