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The Schneider Family Book Awards just dropped, celebrating books that shine a light on disability experiences. Every year, the awards honor an author or illustrator “for the artistic expression of the disability experience.”

Voters pick one main winner and two honorees in each age group. This year, nine books came out on top, covering young kids, middle graders, and teens.

For the little ones, Wanda Hears the Stars tells the story of Wanda Díaz Merced, a blind astrophysicist who never gives up on her dream. Honorees included Bat and the Business of Ferrets, about a boy with autism, and I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea, exploring how a blind child experiences the seasons.

Middle graders got Where Only Storms Grow, about twins navigating the Dust Bowl, one of whom has scoliosis. Honorees included Octopus Moon, about a fifth grader dealing with depression and The Strongest Heart, about a boy coping with a parent’s mental illness.

For teens, Whale Eyes, an illustrated memoir by filmmaker James Robinson, took the top spot for its story about seeing the world differently. Honorees were The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar and The Poetry of Car Mechanics, both exploring mental health challenges.

The awards, announced by the American Library Association, come with $5,000 and a plaque for the winners.

These awards help us celebrate the stories that help kids see disability in a real, human way.

This article has information from School Library Journal and DisabilityScoop.