Michael L. Printz Award

The Michael L. Printz Award is an annual award presented by the American Library Association's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. The award is named for Michael L. Printz, a school librarian from Topeka, Kansas, who was a longtime advocate for and expert in literature for teens before his death in 1996. The first award was given in 2000. There is no monetary prize associated with the Printz Award; rather, it carries the prestige of being the highest honour in the field of young adult literature. Eligible works must be designated by their publisher as being for the young adult audience (ages 12–18), published in the United States in the year prior to the award, and written in English. Up to four Honor Books may also be named alongside the winner. The award is selected by a committee of nine YALSA members, who read and evaluate all eligible submissions. The Printz Award has elevated the literary ambitions of the YA genre, consistently recognising experimental, challenging, and deeply humanistic works. Past winners include Paolo Bacigalupi, Jandy Nelson, Elizabeth Acevedo, Angeline Boulley, Sabaa Tahir, and many others.