The Richmond Public Library’s annual Young Adult Virginia Author (YAVA) Award highlights excellence in writing for readers at the middle and high school level by Virginia authors. The YAVA Celebration began in 2013 as “Teen ‘13.” It has grown to include a year-long award process culminating in the spring with our annual celebration. Beginning in 2020, the YAVA Award winner will be selected by a panel of teen judges and announced during the annual YAVA Celebration. This is our Library's biggest teen event, providing readers an opportunity to interact with local authors, learn about current young adult literature, and engage with others in the community. We value the entire YAVA Award process as an opportunity for teens to connect, engage, and become inspired.
YAVA Timeline
- January 1st - Nomination period begins, Teen Judge applications open
- February 28th - Nomination period ends, Teen Judge Applications close
- 3rd or 4th Saturday in April - YAVA Award Celebration & winning author announced
- May 1 - YAVA Teen Judges notified
- Summer - Nominees are announced
- Rolling - YAVA committee applications open
Nominate a Book for the 2025 Award
Richmond Public Library is accepting nominations now through February 29, 2024. You may select your nomination here https://rvalibrary.org/events/yava/nominate-a-title/.
Criteria for Consideration:
- the author must reside in Virginia at the time of the book’s publication
- the book must have been released during 2023
- the book must have been written for readers in middle or high school the main character must be between 13-19 years of age
- the book may be fiction, nonfiction. poetry, or graphic novel
- the book must be available in print format
The winning author will be recognized and receive a cash prize at the 2025 YAVA Award Celebration at Richmond Public Library on April 19, 2025.
Teen Judge Applications
Richmond Public Library is accepting applications now through February 29, 2024. Be one of 7 teen judges who will determine the winner of the next Young Adult Virginia Author Award. To be a teen judge fill out this application https://rvalibrary.org/events/yava/teen-judge-application/.
- Each judge will receive a copy of all the nominated titles for evaluation.
- Judges will get to meet with the YAVA authors.
- This is also a great opportunity to participate in a program that will look wonderful on school applications and resumes!
