2026 AIYLA Awards and Honors

Updated January 27, 2026
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Chooch helped
Rogers, Andrea L.
Paper Book
Every big sister knows the feeling: little brothers get away with EVERYTHING! Meet Sissy, who's had it up to here with her two-year-old brother Chooch. No matter what chaos he creates in their loving Cherokee family--and trust us, there's a lot--their parents just smile and say...
Fierce aunties!
Goodluck, Laurel
Paper Book
Recipient of the American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Honor A joyful and vibrant celebration of what makes aunties so special, from Indigenous author and illustrator team Laurel Goodluck and Steph Littlebird inviting all kids to connect with...
For a girl becoming
Harjo, Joy
A baby girl is welcomed to the breathing world by generations of her family and set on the magnificent journey of becoming. As she grows, she is reminded of her connections to the natural world; to her family, her ancestors, her neighbors; to the source of all magic and sorrow--and of her...
Buffalo dreamer
Duncan, Violet
Paper Book
Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom's family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she's running away from one of the many real-life residential schools...
Red Bird danced
Quigley, Dawn
Paper Book
An American Indian Youth Literature Award Honoree With lyrical verse and powerful emotion, Dawn Quigley (Ojibwe) tells the story of urban Native kids who find strength in connection with those who came before and in the hope that lets them take flight. Ariel and Tomah...
The ribbon skirt
Mukwa, Cameron
Paper Book
American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book A joyful coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel by debut Indigenous creator Cameron Mukwa about the journey of a two-spirit kid who wants to create a ribbon skirt for the upcoming powwow. Ten-year-old Anang wants to make a...
Sheine Lende : a prequel to Elatsoe
Little Badger, Darcie
Paper Book
"Like Elatsoe, Sheine Lende is much more chill than your typical YA fantasy or YA mystery. The stakes are high, but it never feels stressful. There is little on-the-page violence, and even when things get heavy or dangerous, the reader always feels...
Sisters in the wind
Boulley, Angeline
A Printz Honor Book! An AIYLA Honor Book! A Good Morning America Book Club Pick! From the instant New York Times bestselling author of Firekeeper''s Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed comes a daring new mystery about a foster teen claiming her heritage on her own...

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