Book Awards
2020-2021 MCBA Winners
Find these books in the Children’s Department in the High Demand MCBA section.
Massachusetts Children’s Book Award honors books that promote reading for pleasure
among students in grades four through six. The Massachusetts Children’s Book Award is sponsored by Salem State University and coordinated by Dr. Cami Condie.
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Newbery Award Winner 2021
When You Trap a Tiger written by Tae Keller
Newbery Honor 2021
“All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team,” written by Christina Soontornvat
“BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom,” written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Michele Wood
“Fighting Words,” written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
“A Wish in the Dark,” written by Christina Soontornvat
Caldecott Winner 2021
“We Are Water Protectors,” illustrated by Michaela Goade, written by Carole Lindstrom
Caldecott Honor 2021
“A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart,” illustrated by Noa Denmon, written by Zetta Elliott
“The Cat Man of Aleppo,” illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, written by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha
“Me & Mama,” illustrated and written by Cozbi A. Cabrera
“Outside In,” illustrated by Cindy Derby, written by Deborah Underwood
Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner 2021
“Before the Ever After,” written by Jacqueline Woodson
Coretta Scott King Author Honor 2021
“All the Days Past, All the Days to Come,” written by Mildred D. Taylor
“King and the Dragonflies,” written by Kacen Callender
“Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box,” written by Evette Dionne
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Winner 2021
“R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul,” illustrated by Frank Morrison, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor 2021
“Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration,” illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, written by Samara Cole Doyon
“Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks,” illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, written by Suzanne Slade
“Me & Mama,” illustrated and written by Cozbi A. Cabrera
John Steptoe New Talent Author Award 2021
“Legendborn,” written by Tracy Deonn
For a complete list of the 2021 award winners, please visit the American Library Association webpage.
Interested in seeing more? To browse more nominations visit the Minuteman Book Award List.