MLA Youth Literary Awards | Michigan Author Award

MLA Literary Awards

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. First given in 1999 by the Children’s Services Division of the Michigan Library Association, the award is given annually to one children’s book originally published in the United States during the calendar year that has captured the attention of youth librarians throughout the State of Michigan for its ability to communicate through literature to an intended audience. The award selection work group is comprised of Michigan librarians who consider hundreds of children’s books annually to determine a winner.

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Mitten Award Winners and Honor Books

2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019

Mitten Award Winners and Honor Books - 1999 - 2017(pdf)

Thumbs Up! Award

The Thumbs Up! Award recognizes and promotes an outstanding contribution to teen literature that has both literary quality and teen appeal for those 13 to 18 years of age. The award was established in 1986 by the Teen Services Division of the Michigan Library Association. Since 2001, the selection process has also included a teen vote.

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Thumbs Up! Award Winners and Honor Books

2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019

Thumbs Up! Award Winners and Honor Books

YouPer Award

The YouPer (Young Person) Award recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in chapter book format. This award was given for the first time in 2014 by the Michigan Library Association. The award is given annually to one children’s book originally published in the United States during the calendar year that has captured the attention of the youth librarians throughout the State of Michigan for its ability to communicate through literature to an intended audience.

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YouPer Award Winners and Honor Books

2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019

Past YouPer Award Winners and Honor Books (pdf)

Michigan Author Award

The Michigan Author Award was established with the intention of recognizing significant Michigan authors with a lifetime achievement award. Over the years, the award has been given to a diverse collection of writers working in a variety of genres and styles. A panel of judges representing MLA, Library of Michigan and Center for the Book determine the recipient on overall literary merit.