National Book Award for Young People's Literature Winners, Finalists

Last updated: January 27, 2026

Every November, the National Book Foundation's panel of judges awards the National Book Award to authors in several categories, including Young People's Literature. The judges consider books written by American citizens published in the United States by American publishers between December 1 of the previous year and November 30 of the current year. Check out our list of children's and young adult books that were recent winners or finalists.

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Big book cover: Black girl in a tutu holding the letter "i" in the title

BOOK

Big

age 4+

Powerful picture book about girl who's told she's too big.

Vashti Harrison Picture Book (2023)

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Clayton Byrd Goes Underground Poster Image

BOOK

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

age 8+

The blues and forgiveness fuel emotional family grief tale.

Rita Williams-Garcia Emotions (2017)

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Goblin Secrets Poster Image

BOOK

Goblin Secrets

age 8+

Orphan boy seeks lost brother in exciting, funny tale.

William Alexander Fantasy (2012)

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Kareem Between Book Cover: Boy in jersey and jacket with Syrian and USA flag pins stands in front of lockers with football

BOOK

Kareem Between

age 8+

Touching verse novel about xenophobia, identity, friendship.

Shifa Saltagi Safadi Contemporary Fiction (2024)

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The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp Poster Image

BOOK

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp

age 8+

Folksy novel sends environmentalist message.

Kathi Appelt Animals (2013)

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The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle Poster Image

BOOK

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

age 8+

Riveting, poignant drama explores kindness, friendship.

Leslie Connor Coming of Age (2018)

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When the Sea Turned to Silver Poster Image

BOOK

When the Sea Turned to Silver

age 8+

Rich folklore-fantasy blend makes a great read-aloud.

Grace Lin Fantasy (2016)

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Maizy Chen's Last Chance Poster Image

BOOK

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

age 9+

Heartfelt novel tackles identity, racism, and immigration.

Lisa Yee Contemporary Fiction (2022)

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The First State of Being book cover: A puddle reflects two teens and a tween walking towards the right against a blue sky with orange clouds

BOOK

The First State of Being

age 9+

Time-travel tale is gripping, funny, and tinged with grief.

Erin Entrada Kelly Science Fiction (2024)

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The Journey of Little Charlie Poster Image

BOOK

The Journey of Little Charlie

age 9+

Tense, powerful novel of boy and slave catcher in 1858.

Christopher Paul Curtis Historical Fiction (2018)

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Cover shows a comic book version of Dan Santat in front of Notre Dame

BOOK

A First Time for Everything

age 10+

Delightful details of the author's first Euro trip and kiss.

Dan Santat Graphic Novel (2023)

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A World Worth Saving book cover: Boy in a white smily face t-shirt runs through wind storm with intensity

BOOK

A World Worth Saving

age 10+

Fierce and fantastical trans tale of triumph over hate.

Kyle Lukoff Adventure (2025)

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Brown Girl Dreaming Poster Image

BOOK

Brown Girl Dreaming

age 10+

Captivating poems depict coming-of-age in tumultuous 1960s.

Jacqueline Woodson Poetry (2014)

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Ghost: Track, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Ghost: Track, Book 1

age 10+

Poignant, smart look at track star running from his past.

Jason Reynolds Contemporary Fiction (2016)

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Inside Out and Back Again Poster Image

BOOK

Inside Out and Back Again

age 10+

Inspiring verse story of immigrant's new life in the U.S.

Thanhha Lai Historical Fiction (2011)

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King and the Dragonflies Poster Image

BOOK

King and the Dragonflies

age 10+

Beautifully told coming-of-age tale full of grief and hope.

Kacen Callender Coming of Age (2020)

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Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks Poster Image

BOOK

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

age 10+

Moving, interwoven stories of Black middle schoolers.

Jason Reynolds Literary Fiction (2019)

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Mockingbird Poster Image

BOOK

Mockingbird

age 10+

Moving tale of girl whose brother died in school shooting.

Kathryn Erskine Coming of Age (2010)

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Raymie Nightingale Poster Image

BOOK

Raymie Nightingale

age 10+

Tragedy, triumph, and wisdom in funny, heartfelt tween tale.

Kate DiCamillo Coming of Age (2016)

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The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge Poster Image

BOOK

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge

age 10+

Funny, creepy tale of elf and goblin's uneasy friendship.

M.T. Anderson Fantasy (2018)

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