ShelfEvidentWanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe
Amy S. Hansen and Wanda Díaz Merced
Schneider Family · 2026 · Winner
Schneider Family Book Award
2026 Winner
Complete History
2020s
- 2026Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe — Amy S. Hansen
- 2025A Little Like Magic (Young Children) — Sarah Kurpiel
- 2024Forever Is Now — Mariama J. Lockington
- 2023The Words We Keep — Erin Stewart
- 2022Words in My Hands
- 2021This Is My Brain in Love — I. W. Gregorio
- 2020Cursed — Karol Ruth Silverstein
2010s
- 2019Anger Is a Gift — Mark Oshiro
- 2018Silent Days, Silent Dreams (Young Children) — Allen Say
- 2017When We Collided — Emery Lord
- 2016Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah (Young Children) — Laurie Ann Thompson
- 2015A Boy and a Jaguar (Young Children) — Alan Rabinowitz
- 2014Rose Under Fire — Elizabeth Wein
- 2013Back to Front and Upside Down! (Young Children) — Claire Alexander
- 2012Close to Famous (Middle School) — Joan Bauer
- 2011The Pirate of Kindergarten (Young Children) — George Ella Lyon
- 2010Marcelo in the Real World — Francisco X. Stork
2000s
- 2009Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum (Young Children) — Robert Andrew Parker
- 2008Kami and the Yaks (Young Children) — Andrea Stenn Stryer
- 2007The Deaf Musicians (Young Children) — Paul DuBois and Pete Seeger
- 2006Dad, Jackie and Me (Young Children) — Myron Uhlberg
- 2005My Pal Victor/Mi amigo, Victor (Young Children) — Diane Bertrand Gonzales
- 2004Looking Out For Sarah (Young Children) — Glenna Lang
About the Schneider Family Book Award
The Schneider Family Book Award honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Established in 2004 by Katherine Schneider and administered by the American Library Association (ALA), the award is given in three age categories: Young Children (birth through age 10), Middle School (age 11–13), and Teen (age 14–18). Up to three winners may be given annually, one per age category, and each winner may have one or more honor books. The Schneider Family Book Award is unique among major children's book awards for its specific focus on disability representation, celebrating books that authentically portray physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. It has become an essential resource for educators, librarians, and families seeking disability-inclusive children's literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
- It is an annual award given by the American Library Association to honor books that authentically depict the disability experience for children and young adults. There are three categories: Young Children (0–10), Middle School (11–13), and Teen (14–18).
- The award was established by Katherine Schneider and first given in 2004. It is named in honor of the Schneider family and administered by the American Library Association.
- Books can depict any type of disability—physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive—in a realistic, respectful, and artistically significant way. The award values authentic representation and diverse portrayals of disability.
- Yes. Each of the three winners (one per age category) receives a $5,000 cash prize. Honor books receive a framed citation but no cash award.
- The award is announced in late January or early February as part of the ALA Youth Media Awards announcement, which also includes the Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, and other prestigious children's book awards.
- Yes. Books in any format—picture books, illustrated chapter books, novels, and graphic novels—are eligible in the appropriate age category if they authentically portray the disability experience.
- Winners are selected by a committee appointed by the American Library Association. Committee members evaluate nominated books for artistic quality and authentic representation of disability.