Michael L. Printz Award

Michael L. Printz Award. This literary prize is presented annually by the American Library Association to honor the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit. Established in 2000, it is named for a beloved Topeka West High School librarian known for his passionate advocacy for young adult literature. The award is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the ALA, and is considered one of the most prestigious honors in its field.

History and establishment

The award was conceived by the Young Adult Library Services Association to create a dedicated prize for literary excellence in young adult literature, filling a notable gap in recognition. It is named in memory of Michael L. Printz, a school librarian from Topeka who was a long-time member of YALSA and a dedicated selector for the Best Books for Young Adults committee. His untimely death in 1996 galvanized colleagues within the American Library Association to establish a lasting tribute. The first award was presented in 2000 at the ALA Midwinter Meeting, with the inaugural honor going to Walter Dean Myers for his novel Monster.

Award criteria and selection process

Eligibility is restricted to books published in the United States during the preceding year that are designated by their publishers as either a young adult book or one with strong teen appeal. A committee of nine members, appointed by the YALSA President, undertakes a rigorous selection process, evaluating titles solely on literary merit, including elements such as story, voice, style, setting, and character development. The committee considers nominations from librarians, educators, and the public, engaging in extensive reading and discussion throughout the year. Final deliberations occur at the ALA Midwinter Meeting, where the winner and up to four honor books are selected by majority vote.

Recipients and honor books

The roster of winners includes many seminal authors and works that have shaped modern young adult fiction. Notable winners include John Green for Looking for Alaska, Libba Bray for Going Bovine, and Marcus Sedgwick for Midwinterblood. The award has also recognized influential works by authors such as Meg Rosoff, Jacqueline Woodson, and Daniel Nayeri. Honor books, which are runners-up of exceptional quality, have included celebrated titles like M.T. Anderson's The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party, Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give, and Elizabeth Acevedo's The Poet X. The list reflects a diverse and evolving literary landscape.

Impact and significance

It is widely regarded as the most prestigious award for literary quality in young adult literature, significantly influencing collection development in public libraries and school libraries across the United States. Winning or being named an honor book often leads to increased critical attention, sustained sales, and adoption in educational curricula. The award has elevated the cultural and academic perception of the YA novel, validating it as a serious literary form. Furthermore, it has spotlighted complex themes and innovative narratives, encouraging publishers to support ambitious works for teen audiences and inspiring authors like Neil Gaiman and Donna Jo Napoli to write for this demographic.

Similar awards

Other major awards in children's and young adult literature include the John Newbery Medal, which honors distinguished contributions to American children's literature, and the Coretta Scott King Award, recognizing outstanding works by African American authors and illustrators. The National Book Award for Young People's Literature and the Carnegie Medal in the United Kingdom are also prominent international prizes. For speculative fiction, the Andre Norton Award presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America serves a related purpose. Each of these awards, like the one named for Michael L. Printz, plays a crucial role in defining excellence and guiding readers toward quality literature.

Category:American literary awards Category:Young adult literature awards Category:American Library Association awards