Established in 2003 by Dr. Katherine Schneider and her family, the Schneider Family Book Award is an endowed American Library Association prize that recognizes books for young audiences which embody an artistic expression of the disability experience. The award is conferred in three categories: Younger Children (ages 4–8), Middle Grade (ages 9–13), and Young Adult (ages 14–18). Winning authors or editors receive $5,000 and a commemorative plaque, with the award announced in January/February and presented at the ALA Annual Conference. The jury evaluates English-language works published in the year prior to the announcement. For the 2026 cycle, submissions must be received by December 1, 2026, and may include galley copies or eBooks for titles published between December 1 and December 31, 2026. The award is administered by the ALA and has been presented at the ALA Youth Media Award Press Conference since 2005, placing it within the same institutional framework as the Newbery and Caldecott medals. This is not a call for proposals or manuscripts; it is a juried prize for published books. The curatorial vision is rooted in Dr. Schneider's intent: to celebrate literature that offers authentic and nuanced portrayals of disability, avoiding stereotype or inspiration cliché. The jury seeks works that demonstrate literary merit and a genuine understanding of the disability experience, whether visible or invisible, physical or cognitive.