MLA Youth Literary Awards

The MLA Youth Literary Awards promote excellence in literature for youth. Each year work groups made up of library staff in Michigan spend thousands of hours reading, reviewing and discussing hundreds of books to come up with the top titles published in the calendar year.

Mitten Award The Mitten Award recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in picture book format. Learn more	YouPer Award The YouPer (Young Person) Award recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in chapter book format. Learn more	Thumbs Up! Award The Thumbs Up! Award recognizes an outstanding contribution to teen literature that has both literary quality and teen appeal for those 13 to 18 years of age. Learn more

MLA 2021 Youth Literary Awards Winners and Honor Books

We announced the winners and honor books of the 2021 Mitten, YouPer and Thumbs Up! Awards on Friday, March 12, during the Virtual Spring Insitute for Youth Services 2021. The awards selection group members worked throughout the year spending thousands of hours reading, reviewing and ranking hundreds of books to determine the top titles published in 2020. Watch the announcement below!

2021 Mitten Award Winner If You Come to Earth By Sophie Blackall

2021 YouPer Award Winner Fighting Words By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

2021 Thumbs Up! Award Winner Punching the Air By Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

MLA 2020 Youth Literary Awards Winners and Honor Books

The winners and honor books of the 2020 Youth Literary Awards were announced during Fall Institute for Youth Services Preconference on Tuesday, October 27. Watch the announcement that includes acceptance speeches from our winners below.