The 2025 CLCSC List
The 2025 CLCSC List, selected by the CLCSC Awards Committee, includes some of the best books created by Southern California authors and illustrators published in 2024. The Committee considers all books written and/or illustrated by Southern California authors and illustrators, published in the year preceding the award year.
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.
Book Covers of CLCSC 2025 Long List - Picture Books
Picture Books
Exactly as Planned Written and Illustrated by Tao Nyeu
Free to Learn: How Alfredo Lopez Fought for the Right to Go to School by Cynthia Levinson, Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
The House Before Falling into the Sea by Ann Suk Wang, Illustrated by Hanna Cha
Imagine You and Me – Written and Illustrated by Benson Shum
Like So – by Ruth Forman, Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
Milkweed for Monarchs by Christine Van Zandt, Illustrated by Alejandra Barajas
The Ofrenda That We Built by Jolene Gutiérrez and Shaian Gutiérrez, Illustrated by Gabby Zapata
The Perfect Place by Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Paola Escobar
Wake Up, Woodlands by Karen Jameson, Illustrated by Marc Boutavant
What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest? Written and Illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky
Book Covers of CLCSC 2025 Long List - Middle Grade
Middle Grade
A Place to Shine by Marie Arnold
Born Naughty: My Childhood in China by Jin Wang and Tony Johnston, Illustrated by Anisi Baigude
The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow
Dungeon Club: Time to Party by Molly Knox Ostertag, Illustrated by Xanthe Bouma
Ghost Roast by Shawnee Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs, Illustrated by Emily Cannon
Oliver’s Great Big Universe: Volcanoes are Hot! Written and Illustrated by Jorge Cham
Pizza Face by Rex Ogle, Illustrated by Dave Valeza
Pocket Peaches: At the Fair Written and Illustrated by Dora Wang
The Science of Friendship by Tanita S. Davis
The Spindle of Fate by Aimee Lim
Book Covers of CLCSC 2025 Long List - Young Adult
Young Adult
Bless the Blood: A Cancer Memoir by Walela Nehanda
Dark Parts of the Universe by Samuel Miller
The Deep Dark Written and Illustrated by Molly Knox Ostertag
Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992 by Paula Yoo
Road Home by Rex Ogle
Ruth Asawa: An Artist Takes Shape Written and Illustrated by Sam Nakahira
This is Me Trying by Racquel Marie
The Unboxing of a Black Girl by Angela Shanté
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.