‘The Teacher of Nomad Land’ Named Newbery Honor Book

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Levine Querido Receives 9 Medals at Youth Media Awards

Montclair, NJ — Fresh off of winning the National Book Award, Daniel Nayeri's The Teacher of Nomad Land has been named a Newbery Honor book at the Youth Media Awards in Chicago, marking another milestone for the USA Today Bestselling novel about resilience, education, and hope in World War II Iran.

The Teacher of Nomad Land was named Amazon's top book for children in 2025 and topped best-of-the-year lists from NPR, The New York Times, Kirkus, and Booklist. The book has received six starred reviews, with The Washington Post praising Nayeri's "immaculately crafted turns of phrase [that] pierce the heart with precision," while NPR called it "Astonishing. This isn't just a book – it's a prayer, a lament, a master class in storytelling."

The Newbery Honor marks the fourth time the Newbery committees have recognized Levine Querido titles, following a Newbery Medal for The Last Cuentista (2022) and Newbery Honors for A Snake Falls to Earth (2022) and Nayeri’s own The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams (2024).

A Record-Setting Haul: Nine Medals for LQ!

Levine Querido’s commitment to bold, diverse, and unforgettable storytelling was recognized with nine YMA medals:

  • Newbery Honor - The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri (9781646145669)

  • Stonewall Award - One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller (9781646145027)

  • Pura Belpré Honor - A-Ztec by Emmanuel Valtierra (9781646145676)

  • Batchelder Honor - Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, translated by Carlos Rodríguez Cortez, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra (9781646145157)

  • Sydney Taylor Award - D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. by Abby White (9781646145652)

  • Sydney Taylor Honor - Beinoni by Mari Lowe (9781646145065)

  • AIYLA Award - Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz (9781646144549)

  • AIYLA Honor - Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger (9781646143795)

  • AIYLA Honor - Where Wolves Don't Die by Anton Treuer (9781646143818(

“This recognition reflects our mission to publish diverse voices and stories that matter," said Arthur Levine, Levine Querido President and Editor in Chief. "Daniel Nayeri has become a treasured voice—a compelling voice in Children’s Literature—and we couldn’t be prouder to have that recognized.”

Nayeri reflected, “What is there to say but ‘Thank you! Thank you!’ in every language and every expression I know? I think the characters in The Teacher of Nomad Land would relate to being so flummoxed in communicating the size of this feeling. Maybe that's just what overjoyed means. Thank you, librarians. Thank you, readers. Thank you, friends.”

A Legacy of Award-Winning Excellence

The 2025 Youth Media Awards continue LQ's impressive track record:

  • A-Ztec received a Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor, marking LQ's first recognition in the Illustrator category and sixth Pura Belpré Award overall

  • One of the Boys received the Stonewall Medal, LQ's third Stonewall Award

  • This year marks LQ's 10th Sydney Taylor Award

  • Pilgrim Codex becomes LQ's third Batchelder Honor

  • Three AIYLA Awards, including the first AIYLA honors for Rebecca Lee Kunz and Anton Treuer, as well as second honors for Darcie Little Badger and Andrea L. Rogers

About The Teacher of Nomad Land

Set during World War II Iran, The Teacher of Nomad Land tells the story of two siblings navigating hardship and hope. The novel has been praised for its lush prose, vivid characterization, and ability to balance action with introspection while weaving in themes of faith, identity, and empathy.

The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri is available everywhere books are sold.

 Ages 8-12 | 192 pages | ISBN 9781646145669 | $18.99

BEST OF THE YEAR Amazon | NPR | New York Times | Kirkus | Shelf-Awareness | Booklist | Evanston Public Library

SIX STARRED REVIEWS ★ Publishers Weekly | ★ Kirkus | ★ School Library Journal | ★ Shelf-Awareness | ★ Booklist | ★ The Horn Book

About Levine Querido

Arthur A. Levine founded the independent publisher Levine Querido on April 1, 2019. Previously he led an eponymous imprint at Scholastic, and was editor-in-chief of Alfred A. Knopf books for young readers, and G.P.Putnam’s Sons books for young readers. Visit www.levinequerido.com for a full archive of the imprint’s awards, honors, and publications. LQ is distributed by Chronicle Books. 

About Chronicle

Chronicle Books was founded in 1967 and over the years has developed a reputation for award-winning, innovative books. Recognized as one of the 50 best small companies to work for in the U.S., Chronicle Books’ objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that’s instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value. www.chroniclebooks.com

Team LQ