Announcing the 2026 Judy Lopez Memorial
Award Winners!
2026 Medalist:
Wolf Club by James Bird
(Feiwel and Friends)
“A shining addition to the middle-school canon of survivor stories, Wolf Club needs to be shared and savored." -Booklist, starred review
2026 Honor Book:
Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate
(Feiwel and Friends)
“…Applegate’s latest strikes at the heart, addressing the vitality of empathy, the long-lasting effects of war, and the power of found family.” -School Library Journal
2026 Honor Book:
Candle Island by Lauren Wolk
(Dutton Children’s Books)
“Readers who enjoy meeting characters who feel like friends by story's end will revel in losing themselves on Candle Island.” –Booklist, starred review
2026 Honor Book:
A World Worth Saving by Kyle Lukoff
(Dial Press)
“A stunning powerhouse of fantasy and real-world issues." -Booklist, starred review
The mission of the Judy Lopez Memorial Award is to celebrate excellence in children’s literature and to champion authors who write for middle grade readers.
