Erin Entrada Kelly, author of “The First State of Being,” and Rebecca Lee Kunz, illustrator of “Chooch Helped,” are the 2025 recipients of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals, the most prestigious awards in children’s literature.

Erin Entrada Kelly’s “The First State of Being ... which has gathered in Phoenix for “LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience.” Jason Reynolds' “Twenty-four Seconds from Now

Erin Entrada Kelly's “The First State of Being,” a coming-of-age story that blends time travel and the approaching millennium of the year 2000, has won the John Newbery Medal for the year's outstanding children's book.

Newbery Medal for Best Children's Book Is Given to Erin Entrada Kelly's 'The First State of ... which has gathered in Phoenix for “LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience.”

The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, digital media, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24-27 in Phoenix.