Inaugurated in 2016, the annual Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children's Literature recognize diverse authors (or co-authors) whose works feature diverse main characters and address diversity in a meaningful way. Two to four Honor Books are also named annually. We Need Diverse Books defines “diverse” to be one or more of the following: a person of color, Native American, LGBTQIA, a person with a disability, and/or a member of a marginalized religious or cultural minority in the United States.

The Walters include two categories: Teen (ages 13-18) and Younger Readers (ages 9-13).

For more information about this award and its current and past recipients, check the We Need Diverse Books website.

Help us recognize these honorees and winners by checking one out today.