We asked educators to tell us what books are popular with their students—and got a list of new 'classics’ for the classroom.

The Donna Norvell Oklahoma Book Award recognizes a book that has made a significant contribution to the field of literature for children through second grade.

The Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award is given annually to a picture book that is both a superb read-aloud and also sparks compassion, empathy, and connection. The award commemorates the life and work of author/illustrator Anna Dewdney and celebrates her commitment to reading with young children and putting books into as many little hands as possible.

A list of best STEM books chosen by STEM educators, co-sponsored by National Science Teacher's Association and Children's Book Council

The Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, presented annually by ALAN, is an award in the United States for a book that exemplifies literary excellence, widespread appeal, and a positive approach to life in young adult literature. Named for Amelia Elizabeth Walden who was a pioneer in the field of Young Adult literature, it is presented annually to the author of a title selected by ALAN’s Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Committee.

The Nebula Awards® are voted on and presented by full, senior, and associate members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.

The Best Fiction for Young Adults list honors the best fiction books published for teens each year.

The Arab American Book Award is an honor given each year to outstanding books written by or about Arab Americans. The Arab American Book Award was established in 2006 in partnership with librarians from the University of Toledo, and the mission is to celebrate Arab American literature and honor those who have produced exemplary work. Through outreach and publicity, the award raises greater awareness of Arab American literature and scholarship.

Our awards and grants offer support to help emerging authors, illustrators, and translators (both published and pre-published) in the field of children’s literature. Members receive notifications in their home news feeds when submission periods open for our awards and grants.

The Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Literacy Association jointly sponsor three awards: the Buckaroo Book Award for children in grades K-3, the Indian Paintbrush Book Award for children in grades 4-6, and the Soaring Eagle Book Award for youth in grades 7-12. The purpose of these awards is to provide an opportunity for the youth of Wyoming to read and select favorite books and to honor the authors of those books.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was created in 2002 by the Swedish government to promote every child’s right to great stories. This global award is given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s and young adult literature. With a prize of five million Swedish kronor, it is the largest award of its kind. Above all else, it highlights the importance of reading, today and for future generations.

The Kerlan Award is given in recognition of singular attainments in the creation of children's literature and in appreciation for generous donation of unique resources to the Kerlan Collection.

Full Width Template About the Award The Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award was created in 2004 in an attempt to stimulate interest in books for the beginning reader and the emergent independent reader.

The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers' literature. It was created to celebrate the 90+ years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large.

The winner of the Mark Twain Readers Award is selected annually by students in grades four through six. The purpose of the Mark Twain Award is to provide children of Missouri with a recommended reading list of literature that will enrich their lives.

After finding that many children lose interest in books after reaching the intermediate grades, Dr. Helen Constant founded the Massachusetts Children's Book Award Program in 1975. Fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders are given a master list of book titles. After reading five of the books, students may vote for their favorite. The list is compiled from nominations of participating teachers, librarians, and interested publishers. A selection committee works with the nominations and chooses 25 titles to appear on the master list.

The Lupine Award is designed to honor a living author or illustrator who is a resident of Maine, or who has created a work whose focus is Maine, as shown through the work’s characterization, plot or setting. An author or illustrator is considered a resident if he or she was born in this state or currently resides in Maine for all or part of the year.

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature raises national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

selected by Southern independent booksellers and representing bookseller favorites from 2025 that are Southern in nature—either about the South or by a Southern writer.

The Monarch is designed to encourage children to read critically and become familiar with children's books, authors and illustrators.

The Sequoyah Book Awards are selected by Oklahoma students annually. Student voting is held in schools and libraries. Students in grades three (3) through five (5) vote on the Children’s Book Award. Students in grades six (6) through eight (8) vote on the Intermediate Book Award. Students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) vote on the High School Book Award.

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools.

The PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children's and Young Adult Novelists awards $5,000 annually to an author of a children’s or young adult novel in progress.

The Vermont Golden Dome Book Award was created to honor excellence in children's literature. Since 1957, Vermont students in grades four through eight have selected their favorite book from a list of nominees. It is recommended that students read at least five of the year's nominated titles before voting in the spring each year.

The Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (formerly the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award) was created to honor excellence in children's literature. Each year since 1957, Vermont students in grades four through eight have selected their favorite book from a list of nominees.

Awards and booklists from the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)

Each year, children and teens of Mississippi are invited to vote for their favorite books in four age categories during the Magnolia Book Award event. The purpose of the Magnolia Book Awards is to introduce Mississippi children and teens to current literature and to instill a love of reading.

The William Allen White Children’s Book Award is the oldest statewide Children’s book award in the United States. Supported in part by the Trusler Foundation and the Emporia State University Libraries & Archives, The White Awards Program was established to encourage the children of Kansas to read and enjoy good books.

Since 2003, the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature has been awarded every other year to a living writer or author-illustrator with significant achievement in children’s or young-adult literature.