Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal · 2024 · Winner
The Mona Lisa Vanishes
The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
2024 Winner
2024 Shortlist & Longlist
- HonorTB
- HonorHH
Complete History
2020s
2010s
About the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book for children. First awarded in 2001, the medal is named after Robert F. Sibert, long-time president of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc., who made a substantial contribution to support the award. The Sibert Medal recognizes nonfiction picture books, illustrated informational texts, and narrative nonfiction for young readers that demonstrate accuracy, clarity, and excellence in presenting factual content in an engaging and age-appropriate way. Honor books are also named each year. The Sibert Medal has elevated the profile of children's nonfiction and inspired a generation of high-quality informational literature for young readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- It is an annual award given by the ALSC to the most distinguished informational book published for children in the preceding year. The medal recognizes excellence in nonfiction, science, biography, history, and other informational genres for young readers.
- Robert F. Sibert was the long-time president of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc., a company that provides library-bound books to children's libraries. His contributions to the children's library community were honored by naming this medal after him.
- Any informational book primarily intended for children through age 14, including nonfiction picture books, illustrated texts, biography, narrative nonfiction, and science books published in the United States during the eligibility year, is eligible.
- The first Sibert Medal was awarded in 2001 to Marc Aronson for Sir Walter Raleigh and the Quest for El Dorado.
- A committee of ALSC members reviews eligible books throughout the year and votes to select the medal winner and honor books. The committee considers accuracy, organization, writing quality, and design in making its selections.
- Yes. Nonfiction picture books that meet the highest standards of informational content and artistic presentation are fully eligible. Many Sibert Medal winners and honor books have been picture books.
- The Sibert Medal is announced as part of the ALA Youth Media Awards, typically in late January at the ALA Midwinter Meeting, alongside the Caldecott, Newbery, and other major children's book awards.