The 2024 CLCSC List
The 2024 CLCSC List, selected by the Awards Committee, includes some of the best books created by Southern California authors and illustrators published in 2023. The Committee considers all books written and/or illustrated by Southern California authors and illustrators, published in the year preceding the award year. If you are interested in serving on the Awards Committee in the future, please contact us at awards@childrensliteraturecouncil.org.
Listed alphabetically by title, bold formatting indicates which creator(s) resided in Southern California at the time of publication. Southern California is defined as San Luis Obispo, Kern, and San Bernardino counties and points south, including Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. Some creators may have relocated out of Southern California since their book was published. Winners will be indicated with an asterisk (*) after the creator or creators’ name(s) when the winners are announced.
Picture Books
Anzu the Great Listener by Benson Shum
Gustav Is Missing! by Andrea Zuill
In Every Life by Marla Frazee
Maribel’s Year, Written by Michelle Sterling, Illustrated by Sarah Gonzales
Mother of Sharks, Written by Melissa Cristina Márquez, Illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz
Real to Me, Written by Minh Lê, Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
River of Mariposas by Mirelle Ortega
Something, Someday, Written by Amanda Gorman, Illustrated by Christian Robinson
The ABCs of Baby's Needs by Loris Lora
The Night Before Freedom, Written by Glenda Armand, Illustrated by Corey Barksdale
The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles, Written by Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso, Illustrated by Dan Santat
Middle Grade
A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat
Audrey Covington Breaks the Rules by Karina Evans
Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera
Dogtown, Written by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
Four Eyes, Written by Rex Ogle, Illustrated by Dave Valeza
Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story, Written by Sarah Kuhn, Illustrated by Arielle Jovellanos
Nowhere Special by Matt Wallace
The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla
The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson
The Takeout by Tracy Badua
Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen
Young Adult
Before the Devil Knows You're Here by Autumn Krause
Immortality by Dana Schwartz
Northranger, Written by Rey Terciero, Illustrated by Bre Indigo
Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
Rana Joon and the One and Only Now by Shideh Etaat
Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra
The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold
This Is Not a Personal Statement by Tracy Badua
The CLCSC Awards Committee convenes in January each year. Submissions of books published in the prior year may be sent directly to the Awards Chair for awards consideration. Please include an official submission form with each entry.