The Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, presented annually by ALAN, is an award in the United States for a book that exemplifies literary excellence, widespread appeal, and a positive approach to life in young adult literature. Named for Amelia Elizabeth Walden who was a pioneer in the field of Young Adult literature, it is presented to the author of a title selected by ALAN’s Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Committee.

The selection committee is composed of eleven ALAN members (3 teachers, 3 university professors, 3 librarians, 1 chair, and 1 past chair) and is appointed by the previous year’s chair and current ALAN President. They award one winning title and honor up to four additional titles on their shortlist.

Per Walden’s request, honor and winning titles must be a work of fiction, ideally a novel (stand-alone or part of a series); be published within one year prior to the call for titles; be published in the United States but may have been published elsewhere prior; and possess a positive approach to life, widespread teen appeal, and literary merit.

2015Committee Chair: Lois Stover

Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel QuinteroThe Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Revolution by Deborah WilesDiamond Boy by Michael Williams

2014Committee Chair: Kellee Moye

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (Winner)

Jumped In by Patrick Flores-ScottThe Milk of Birds by Sylvia WhitmanOpenly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Winger by Andrew Smith

2013Chair: Lois Buckman

The Fault in our Stars by John Green (Winner)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Endangered by Eliot SchreferAsk the Passengers by A.S. King

2012Committee Chair: Ricki Ginsberg

Shine by Lauren Myracle (Winner)

The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert SharenowBetween Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Blood Red Road by Moira YoungUnder the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

2011Committee Chair: Teri Lesesne

The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Franscisco X. Stork

Wolves, Boys, & Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen ChandlerAfter Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew QuickI Will Save You by Matt de la Peña

2010Committee Chair: Daria Plumb

Fire by Kristin Cashore (Winner)

Marcelo in the Real World by Franscisco X. StorkThe Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen HeadleyThe Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander

2009

Committee Chair: Wendy Glenn

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins & Fenway Park by Steven Kluger (Winner)

After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

Graceling by Kristin CashoreThe Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Me, the Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine