Every year, the American Library Association and associated organizations recognize the best and brightest in children's publishing. The oldest medal awarded, the Newbery, has been given out since 1922! Today, there are a number of awards to recognize contributions across the board - illustration, writing, teens, children, and even apps! Here's a few of the highlights (including links so you can check them out at the library!):

The Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature: New Kid, written by Jerry Craft

The Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children: The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Kwame Alexander

The Coretta Scott King Awards recognize African-American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults.
Author Winner: New Kid, written by Jerry Craft
Illustrator Winner: The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Kwame Alexander 

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults: Dig, written by A. S. King

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience
For young children: Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, written by Sonia Sotomayor
For middle grade: Song for a Whale, written by Lynne Kelly
For teens: Cursed, written by Karol Ruth Silverstein

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World, by C. A. Fletcher
Do You Dream of Terra-Two? by Temi Oh
Dominicana, by Angie Cruz
Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe
High School, by Sara Quin and Tegan Quin
In Waves, by AJ Dungo
Middlegame, by Seanan McGuire
The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead
Red, White & Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston
The Swallows, by Lisa Lutz

Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States: Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction, written by Jarrett J. Krosoczka and narrated by the author, Jeanne Birdsall, Jenna Lamia, Richard Ferrone, and a full cast.

Pura Belpré Awards honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience: 
Illustrator Winner: Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln, illustrated by Rafael López, written by Margarita Engle
Author Winner: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, written by Carlos Hernandez

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children: Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, written by Kevin Noble Maillard

Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award for distinguished digital media for an early learning audience: Molly of Denali, produced by PBS Kids (TV Show)
Honors:
Seek, produced by iNaturalist 
States of Matter by Tinybop, produced by Tinybop, Inc.

Stonewall Book Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience: When Aidan Became a Brother, written by Kyle Lukoff

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book is: Stop! Bot! written and illustrated by James Yang

William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens: The Field Guide to the North American Teenager, written by Ben Philippe

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: Free Lunch, written by Rex Ogle

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. The award promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit.
Picture Book winner: Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom, written by Teresa Robeson
Children's Literature winner: Stargazing, written by Jen Wang
Young Adult Literature winner: They Called Us Enemy, written by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, and Steven Scott

The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.
Picture Book winner: The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come, by Sue Macy
Middle Grade winner: White Bird: A Wonder Story, by R. J. Palacio
Young Adult winner: Someday We Will Fly, by Rachel DeWoskin

The American Indian Youth Literature award honors the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians.
Picture Book winner: Bowwow Powwow: Bagosenjige-niimi’idim, written by Brenda J. Child (Red Lake Ojibwe)
Middle Grade winner: Indian No More, written by Charlene Willing McManis (Umpqua/Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde) with Traci Sorell (Cherokee)
Young Adult winner: Hearts Unbroken, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee)