Donna Barba Higuera's Newbery Win: A Dual Celebration
Last weekend brought a double measure of good news to Donna Barba Higuera, as the author learned that she had been awarded the 2022 Newbery Medal for her third children's book, The Last Cuentista, and that the novel had also won the Pura Belpré Author Award. "I immediately lost it! I was overwhelmed by such a huge mix of emotions," she recalled.
Jason Chin's Caldecott Win: 'Kind of a Surreal Experience'
Jason Chin, illustrator of the semi-autobiographical picture book Watercress by Andrea Wang, spoke with us about his elation at winning the 2022 Caldecott Medal. “The best thing that an award can do is get a book in the hands of more readers,” he said. “That’s what you want as an artist, as an author, and—wow—so many people are going to experience what we’ve made.”
Angeline Boulley's Printz Win: Tears, Champagne, and... Lawyers?
On Tuesday, January 18, Angeline Boulley, who made her debut with the YA novel Firekeeper's Daughter in 2021, signed onto a Zoom meeting with her editor and agent—and got the surprise of her life. "All of the squares were filled with people I didn’t recognize," she said. "And then I thought there must be something really wrong because these people seem like they may be... attorneys?" Of course, her anxiety was replaced with delight when she learned she had received the Printz Award.
To see all of the winners of the 2022 Youth Media Awards, click here.
