The William C. Morris Award is an annual award presented by the American Library Association (ALA) to honor a debut author writing for young adults. Established in 2009, the award recognizes outstanding literary works that resonate with teen readers and contribute to the field of young adult literature. The award is named after William C. Morris, a prominent figure in library services for young adults. It aims to encourage new authors and highlight their contributions to the genre, celebrating creativity and innovation in storytelling for young audiences.