Schneider Award

The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

View the the Schneider Family Book Award Manual here!

Schneider Winner list

The list of all winners from 2004 to present. The Schneider Family Book Award honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

2026 Schneider Award: Teen Book

Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen

written by James Robinson, illustrated by Brian Rea, and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

From Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson comes a breathtaking illustrated memoir for middle-grade readers (and adults, too)—inspired by the viral, Emmy-nominated short film Whale Eyes.

2026 Schneider Honor: Teen Book

The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar

written by Sonora Reyes and published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

From bestselling author Sonora Reyes comes a poignant and searingly honest companion novel to the multi-award-winning The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, following beloved character Cesar Flores as he comes to terms with his sexuality, his new bipolar diagnosis, and more mistakes than he can count.

The Poetry of Car Mechanics

written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and published by Wordsong, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing House.

In this powerful middle-grade novel-in-verse, Dylan seeks solace through birdwatching and poetry in the woods behind his grandfather’s auto shop—but when he rescues an injured hawk, he must learn to confront the broken parts in himself, too.

2026 Schneider Award: Middle School

Where Only Storms Grow

written by Alyssa Colman and published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.

Set during the Dust Bowl, this story of family, friendship, and survival is for fans of the I Survived series and The War That Saved My Life.

2026 Schneider Honor: Middle School

Octopus Moon

written by Bobbie Pyron and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House

A deeply moving middle-grade novel in verse about a girl struggling with depression when she starts fifth grade amidst a sea of changes.

The Strongest Heart

written by Saadia Faruqi and published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

From beloved middle grade author Saadia Faruqi comes a poignant exploration of the impact of mental illness on families—and the love and hope that it takes to begin telling a different tale.

2026 Schneider Award: Young Children's Book

Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe

written by Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Diaz Merced, illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza and published by Charlesbridge.

A nonfiction picture book biography of astrophysicist Wanda Díaz Merced and how losing her sight didn't stop her from studying the stars.

2026 Schneider Honor: Young Children's Book

Bat and the Business of Ferrets

written by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

The bestselling Bat returns! Bat and the Business of Ferrets is the fourth title in National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold’s heartfelt and widely acclaimed series featuring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum.

I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea

written by Janice Milusich, illustrated by Chris Raschka, and published by Anne Schwartz Books, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Penguin Random House.

In this lyrical picture book illustrated by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, share in a blind child's joyful experience of the changing seasons.

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