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The Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature, aka “The Walters,” was started in 2014 by We Need Diverse Books. It’s named after acclaimed YA author Walter Dean Myers and recognizes outstanding children’s and YA books by marginalized authors. Here are this year’s winners.
2025 Walter Award, Younger Readers Category
Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
2025 Walter Honors, Younger Readers Category
The Creepening of Dogwood House by Eden Royce (Walden Pond Press, HarperCollins)
2025 Walter Award, Teen Category
Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson and illustrated by Ekua Holmes (Kokila/Penguin Random House)
2025 Walter Honors, Teen Category
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur (Feiwel & Friends)