The 2025 Golden Kite Winners and Honors

The awards honor the best in children’s books and young adult fiction, with winners and honor book recipients announced in seven categories. The winner in each category received $2,500. Each honor recipient received $500. The Golden Kite Awards celebrates the best in children's storytelling, honoring excellence, creativity, and inspiration across genres and age groups.

Sid Fleischman Award for Humor

WINNER:

Harriet Tells the Truth by Elana K. Arnold (Walden Pond Press)

HONOR:

On a Wing and a Tear by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Heartdrum)

Picture Book Text

WINNER:

The Man Who Didn't Like Animals written by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Clarion Books)

HONOR:

The Night Market written by Seina Wedlick, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu (Random House Studio)

Picture Book Illustration

WINNER:

The One and Only Googoosh, illustrated and written by Azadeh Westergaard (Viking Books for Young Readers)

HONOR:

Eloisa's Magical Window, illustrated by John Parra, written by Margarita Engle (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) 

Nonfiction Text for Younger Readers

WINNER:

Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote written by Dinah Johnson, illustrated by Jeremy Jordan (Christy Ottaviano Books-Little Brown and Hachette) 

HONOR:

Comet Chaser: The True Cinderella Story of Caroline Herschel, The First Professional Woman Astronomer written by Pamela S. Turner, illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger (Chronicle Books)

Nonfiction Text for Older Readers

WINNER:

Rising From the Ashes: Los Angeles 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City On Fire by Paula Yoo (Norton Young Readers)

HONOR:

Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back by Ruth Chan (Roaring Brook Press)

Middle Grade Fiction

WINNER:

The Other Side of Tomorrow written by Tina Cho, art by Deb JJ Lee (Harper/Alley)

HONOR:

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin (Viking Books for Young Readers)

Illustrated Book for Older Readers

WINNER:

Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back by Ruth Chan (Roaring Brook Press)

HONOR:

Meet Me on Mercer Street by Bookie Vivat (Scholastic Press)

Young Adult Fiction

WINNER:

Girls Like Her by Melanie Sumrow (Balzer + Bray)

HONOR:

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers)