I’m Your Neighbor Book Awards
These awards were established in 2022 to celebrate exemplary children’s books that represent the experience of refugee, ayslee, and immigrant families and the generations that follow them. In sync with the I’m Your Neighbor Books mission, each of the awarded books excel in:
- Starting conversations on modern immigration
- Refuting false narratives about communities of color
- Creating emotional connections to a vast diversity of voices
- Sharing the joy and strength of immigrant kids and families
- Building the cultural competency of all readers
- Laying the groundwork for cross-cultural communication
2022 New Arrival Book Award
Congratulations to author Muon Thi Van, illustrator Victo Ngai and Scholastic for winning the 2022 New Arrival Book Award for Wishes.
This award honors a children’s picture book or novel that presents the resiliency of the refugee or immigrant experience with honesty and artistry.
2022 New Generation Book Award
Congratulations to author Andrea Wang, illustrator Jason Chin and Holiday House Books for winning the 2022 New Generation Book Award for Watercress.
This award honors a children’s picture book or novel that presents the strengths, challenges, and joys of a child raised by immigrant family members.
2022 Community Book Award
Congratulations to author M.O. Yuksel, illustrator Hatem Aly and HarperCollins for winning the 2022 Community Book Award for In My Mosque.
This award honors a children’s picture book or novel that celebrates both the unique qualities of a particular community, but also the beautiful diversity of its members.
2022 Social Action Book Award
Congratulations to author Saadia Faruqi and HarperCollins for winning the 2022 Social Action Book Award for Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero.
This award honors a children’s picture book or novel that inspires readers to not only read, feel, and empathize, but to envision making changes within themselves and their communities.
2022 Readers Choice Book Award
Congratulations to author and illustrator Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar, translator Yanitzia Canetti and Child’s Play International for winning the 2022 Readers Choice Award for Nieve en la Jungla/Snow in the Jungle.
This award honors a children’s picture book or novel that our community of readers feel exemplifies the I’m Your Neighbor Books’ mission to create a stronger culture of welcoming and belonging.
This book was selected in honor of the publisher’s decison to replace the character’s name “Ice” (established in 2015) with the name “Snow.” They did this to protest the harm done to families in the US by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a.k.a. ICE.
Award Guidelines
The Award
The I’m Your Neighbor Book Awards celebrate exemplary children’s books that represent the experience of refugee, ayslee, and immigrant families and the generations that follow them.
Awards Committee
The awards committee in 2022 included author Maria Testa, communication consultant Jen Boggs, children’s book editor Audrey Maynard, public librarian Kate Cutko, and children’s book consultant Kirsten Cappy. All of these committee members are on the board of I’m Your Neighbor Books. Post-pandemic, the committee with expand to include classroom teachers, ELL and multilingual educators, and more immigrant and new generation community partners.
Submission Details
The selection committee welcomes review copies from the current year mailed between May 1st-November 1st. Review copies or galleys or absolutely acceptable. Copies can be mailed to I’m Your Neighbor Books | 84 Cove Street #4 | Portland, ME 04101. Questions can be directed to info@imyourneighborbooks.org.
Book Eligibility
We will consider any children’s book published or distributed in the United States or Canada in the calendar year preceding the award year.
Books Awarded will excel in:
- Starting conversations on modern immigration
- Refuting false narratives about communities of color
- Creating emotional connections to a vast diversity of voices
- Sharing the joy and strength of immigrant kids and families
- Building the cultural competency of all readers
- Laying the groundwork for cross-cultural communication
Announcement
The annual announcement will take place on the final day of DIA, a national celebration emphasizing the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
