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 annually to the author of a title selected by ALAN's Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Committee.

The selection committee composed of ten ALAN members (3 teachers, 3 university professors, 3 librarians, and 1 chair) 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 (please see this page for additional details about these criteria).

Award-winning and honor books are listed below.

2012

• Shine by Lauren Myracle (Winner)
• The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow
• Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
• Blood Red Road by Moira Young
• Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

2011

• The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork (Winner)
• After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
• I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña
• Sorta Like a Rockstar by Matthew Quick
• Wolves, Boys, & Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler

2010

• Fire by Kristin Cashore (Winner)
• Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
• The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
• North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
• The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander

2009

• 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 Cashore
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• Me, the Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine