(UPDATED 9:30 a.m. ET: February 3, 2015) Librarians braved a Chicago blizzard on Monday, February 2 to attend the announcements of the American Library Association's (ALA) 2015 Youth Media Awards (YMA) at its annual Midwinter Meeting, where Kwame Alexander's The Crossover (HMH) won the Newbery and Dan Santat's The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Little, Brown) captured the Caldecott. Alexander tells School Library Journal that he hadn't slept the night before he received the call from the Newbery Committee. “...when I got the call [at around 7 a.m.]...I wasn’t really sure if I was dreaming or not. I [had] just finished writing a middle grade novel where this kid was having visions, and that's what I thought might be happening."

Kwame Alexander

The Crossover, a middle grade novel about two African American twin boys' adolescence through the experience of basketball and poetry, was the result of Alexander's intention to "write a book that boys are not only interested in reading but couldn’t put down." "I remember being a middle school boy not wanting to read... I wanted to write a book that would meet the criteria that I would have liked [in books] growing up." Alexander tells SLJ that he wanted to share a story about friendship, brotherhood, and "the relationship between father and son and how cool it can be." "Basketball became the hook to get the kid to pick up the book," says Alexander, who adds, "I’m really excited that the awards this year reflect the kind of world we say we want our children to grow up in. I love the fact that diversity seems to have been embraced, not just for the sake of diversity, but for the talent and genius of all writers, and I’m just really proud to be in this world right now." Santat had a similar sleepless night, he says, after watching the Super Bowl and thinking about the upcoming awards. "I got the phone call at 4:30 a.m.," he says. "And they gave me the news, and I started crying.... It was a rush of emotion."

Dan Santat

Like with Alexander's novel, fatherhood also played a thematic role in Santat's Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. The picture book is a metaphor about his son’s birth, as well as a reflection about his son's first day at school, says Santat, including "that anxiety you have about making your friend for the first time." As for the book's title, the word "beekle" was his son's first word—which stood for "bicycle." "My wife said that it would be a cute name for a character," he says. At the moment, Santat is finishing a picture book called Are We There Yet? for Little, Brown. He describes it as a road trip story about a little boy who goes back and forth in time.

Newbery Honor winner Cece Bell with her graphic novel 'El Deafo.'

The impact of this year's conversations about the need for diversity in children's literature was certainly felt at the awards, not only with Alexander's The Crossover, but with Cece Bell's graphic novel El Deafo (Abrams), featuring a deaf protagonist, which was chosen as one of the two Newbery Honors, and This One Summer (First Second), illustrated by Jillian Tamaki and written by Mariko Tamaki, selected as one of six Caldecott Honors. Bell tells SLJ that she and her editor at Abrams, Susan Van Metre "have talked a bit" about an El Deafo sequel—this time set in middle school. "Clearly...her story isn't over, “ says Van Metre. Nina Lindsay, education committee chairperson for the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and an SLJ "Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog" blogger, applauded judges' recognition of the graphic novel format. “An enormous thanks to, and appreciation for, the Newbery and Caldecott committees and their bold choices, finally and clearly making room for the graphic novel format in both award categories,” says Lindsay, also children’s services coordinator for the Oakland (CA) Public Library. The Sibert Award for Nonfiction for Children also recognized Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming (Penguin) and Duncan Tonatiuh's Separate Is Never Equal (Abrams). Jandy Nelson, who won the Printz for I’ll Give You the Sun (Penguin), says she "wasn’t expecting the award," and tells SLJ that learning that she’d won the award was “the best moment I’d ever had.” I’ll Give You the Sun took Nelson three and a half years to complete. Like The Crossover, the book’s protagonists are twins—in this case, a boy named Noah and a girl named Jude. A rift forms between the once-inseparable twosome, and the story is told from their alternating points of view. Nelson, who says she is very interested in writing about love, death, and identity, adds that many of the letters she’s received from readers of I'll Give You the Sun are from gay and transgender teens telling her that say they can identify with Noah, who struggles with his sexual identity. “It’s important to have teenagers read characters that [they can] see themselves [in],” Nelson tells SLJ. Her next project is a story about “two boys who live in a hot and dusty town in California.” Food, cooking, and music figure largely in the book. Long-time advocates of inclusiveness in children's literature were also recognized, including Pat Mora, co-founder of El Día de los Niños, who was this year's recipient of the 2016 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award. Audience members rose to their feet to congratulate librarian and educator Deborah D. Taylor, the winner of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for lifetime achievement.

Sharon M. Draper

Sharon M. Draper was bestowed the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults. Draper tells SLJ in an email: “For the little girl who grew up in a library, who checked out ten books every single week (the maximum allowed), who devoured stories like gumdrops, and who later learned to write and share such tales with other teens, receiving the Margaret A. Edwards Award is truly, truly an honor.  I am so very thankful of the recognition. (And jumping on the bed!)." Draper is the author of more than 20 books, including: Tears of a Tiger (1994), Forged by Fire (1997), Darkness Before Dawn (2001), and Battle of Jericho (2004, all S. & S.). Here is a list of all the 2015 Youth Media Award winners and honorees. John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature: “The Crossover,” written by Kwame Alexander, is the 2015 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Two Newbery Honor Books also were named: “El Deafo” by Cece Bell, illustrated by Cece Bell and published by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. “Brown Girl Dreaming,” written by Jacqueline Woodson and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children: “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend,” illustrated by Dan Santat, is the 2015 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Dan Santat and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. Six Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Nana in the City,” illustrated by Lauren Castillo, written by Lauren Castillo and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. “The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art,” illustrated by Mary GrandPré, written by Barb Rosenstock and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York. “Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and published by Candlewick Press. “Viva Frida,” illustrated by Yuyi Morales, written by Yuyi Morales and published by Roaring Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book. “The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus,” illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant, and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. “This One Summer,” illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki and published by First Second. Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults: “Brown Girl Dreaming,” written by Jacqueline Woodson, is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. Three King Author Honor Books were selected: Kwame Alexander for “The Crossover,” published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing. Marilyn Nelson for “How I Discovered Poetry,” illustrated by Hadley Hooper and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Books (USA) LLC. Kekla Magoon for “How It Went Down,” published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC. Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award: “Firebird,” illustrated by Christopher Myers, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book was written by Misty Copeland and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. Two King Illustrator Honor Book were selected: Christian Robinson for “Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker,” by Patricia Hruby Powell, published by Chronicle Books LLC. Frank Morrison for “Little Melba and Her Big Trombone,” by Katheryn Russell-Brown, published by Lee and Low Books, Inc. Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award: “When I Was the Greatest,” written and illustrated by Jason Reynolds, is the Steptoe winner. The book is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement: Deborah D. Taylor is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton. Taylor’s career in public service began more than 40 years ago with the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, where she is currently coordinator of School and Student Services. Her career has been spent as mentor, educator and literacy advocate for young adults. As an inspiring young adult librarian, leader in national associations and university instructor, she has been distinctly effective in introducing young people and her professional colleagues to the outstanding work of African American authors. Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults: “I’ll Give You the Sun,” written by Jandy Nelson, is the 2015 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group USA, a Penguin Random House Company. Four Printz Honor Books also were named: “And We Stay,” by Jenny Hubbard, and published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., a Penguin Random House Company. “The Carnival at Bray,” by Jessie Ann Foley, and published by Elephant Rock Books. “Grasshopper Jungle,” by Andrew Smith, and published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Group USA, a Penguin Random House Company. “This One Summer,” by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, and published by First Second. Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience: “A Boy and a Jaguar” written by Alan Rabinowitz, illustrated by Catia Chien and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, wins the award for children ages 0 to 10. “Rain Reign” written by Ann M. Martin and published by a Feiwel and Friends Book, is the winner of the middle-school (ages 11-13). The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is “Girls Like Us,” written by Gail Giles and published by Candlewick Press. Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences: “All the Light We Cannot See,” by Anthony Doerr, published by Scribner, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. “Bellweather Rhapsody,” by Kate Racculia, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. “Bingo’s Run,” by James A. Levine, published by Spiegel & Grau, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company. “Confessions,” by Kanae Minato, translated by Stephen Snyder, published by Mulholland Books, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. “Everything I Never Told You,” by Celeste Ng, published by The Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Group LLC, a Penguin Random House Company. “Lock In,” by John Scalzi, a Tor Book published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC. “The Martian,” by Andy Weir, published by Crown Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company. “The Terrorist’s Son: A Story of Choice,” by Zak Ebrahim with Jeff Giles, published by TED Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” by Michael Koryta, published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. “Wolf in White Van,” by John Darnielle, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children's video: Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard, Weston Woods Studios, Inc., producers of “Me…Jane,” are the Carnegie Medal winners. This transcendent adaptation of Patrick McDonnell’s 2012 Caldecott Honor draws viewers into the childhood of a young Jane Goodall who, with beloved stuffed chimpanzee, Jubilee, is transformed by what she observes in her own backyard, a “magical world full of joy and wonder.” Laura Ingalls Wilder Award 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. The 2015 winner is Donald Crews, whose award-winning works include “Freight Train,” which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1979, and “Truck,” a Caldecott Honor Book in 1981. He has been consistently excellent with a wide range of titles, such as “Harbor,” “Parade,” “Shortcut” and “Bigmama’s,” all published by Greenwillow Books. Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults: The 2015 winner is Sharon M. Draper, author of more than 20 books, including: “Tears of a Tiger” (1994), “Forged by Fire” (1997), “Darkness Before Dawn” (2001), “Battle of Jericho” (2004), “Copper Sun” (2006), and “November Blues” (2007), all published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. 2016 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children's literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site. The 2016 Arbuthnot Lecture will be delivered by Pat Mora. Pioneering author and literacy advocate Pat Mora has written more than three dozen books for young people that represent the Mexican American experience. Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children’s book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States: “Mikis and the Donkey” is the 2015 Batchelder Award winner. The book was written by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Hopman, translated by Laura Watkinson, and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Two Batchelder Honor Books also were selected: “Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust,” published by First Second an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership, written by Loic Dauvillier, illustrated by Marc Lizano, color by Greg Salsedo, translated by Alexis Siegel. “Nine Open Arms,” published by Enchanted Lion Books, written by Benny Lindelauf, illustrated by Dasha Tolstikova, translated by John Nieuwenhuizen. Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States: “H. O. R. S. E. A Game of Basketball and Imagination,” produced by Live Oak Media, is the 2015 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by Christopher Myers and narrated by Dion Graham and Christopher Myers. Three Odyssey Honor Recordings also were selected: “Five, Six, Seven, Nate!” produced by AUDIOWORKS (Children’s) an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc., written by Tim Federle, and narrated by Tim Federle; “The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, written by Julie Berry, and narrated by Jayne Entwistle; “A Snicker of Magic,” produced by Scholastic Audiobooks, written by Natalie Lloyd, and narrated by Cassandra Morris. Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience: “Viva Frida,” illustrated by Yuyi Morales, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was written by Yuyi Morales and published by Roaring Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book. Three Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were named: “Little Roja Riding Hood,” illustrated by Susan Guevara, written by Susan Middleton Elya, and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. “Green Is a Chile Pepper,” illustrated by John Parra, written by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, and published by Chronicle Books LLC. “Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation,” illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh, and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. Pura Belpré (Author) Award honoring Latino authors whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience: "I Lived on Butterfly Hill" is the 2015 Pura Belpré (Author) Award winner. The book is written by Marjorie Agosín, illustrated by Lee White and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. One Belpré Author Honor Book was named: "Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes," written by Juan Felipe Herrera, illustrated by Raúl Colón and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children: “The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus,” written by Jen Bryant, is the Sibert Award winner. The book is published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Five Sibert Honor Books were named: “Brown Girl Dreaming,” written by Jacqueline Woodson, and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. “The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, & the Fall of Imperial Russia,” written by Candace Fleming, and published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company. “Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker,” written by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson and published by Chronicle Books LLC. “Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands,” written and illustrated by Katherine Roy, and published by David Macaulay Studio, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press. “Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation,” written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience: “This Day in June,” written by Gayle E. Pitman, Ph.D., illustrated by Kristyna Litten and published by Magination Press, an imprint of the American Psychological Association, is the winner of the 2015 Stonewall Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award. Three Honor Books were selected: “Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out,” by Susan Kuklin, photographed by Susan Kuklin and published by Candlewick Press. “I’ll Give You the Sun,” written by Jandy Nelson, published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. “Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress,” written by Christine Baldacchio, pictures by Isabelle Malenfant, published by Groundwood Books / House of Anansi Press. Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book: “You Are (Not) Small,” written by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant, is the Seuss Award winner. The book is published by Two Lions, New York. Two Geisel Honor Books were named: “Mr. Putter & Tabby Turn the Page,” written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard, and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. “Waiting Is Not Easy!” written by Mo Willems, illustrated by Mo Willems, and published by Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group. William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens: “Gabi, a Girl in Pieces,” written by Isabel Quintero, is the 2015 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Cinco Puntos Press. Four other books were finalists for the award: “The Carnival at Bray” written by Jessie Ann Foley and published by Elephant Rock Books. “The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim” written by E.K. Johnston and published by Carolrhoda Lab™, an imprint of Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group. “The Scar Boys” written by Len Vlahos and published by Egmont Publishing. “The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender” written by Leslye Walton and published by Candlewick Press. YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: “Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek,” written by Maya Van Wagenen, is the 2015 Excellence winner. The book is published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group. Four other books were finalists for the award: “Laughing at My Nightmare” written by Shane Burcaw, and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan’s Children’s Publishing Group. “The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia” written by Candace Fleming, and published by Schwartz & Wade, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. “Ida M. Tarbell: The Woman Who Challenged Big Business—and Won!” written by Emily Arnold McCully, and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. “The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights” written by Steve Sheinkin, and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s experts, the awards encourage original and creative work. For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, please visit www.ala.org/yma. Here's a video clip of the Newbery and Caldecott Medal (and other YMA) recipients as they receive the news of their wins: