Children’s Book Committee

Awards

Children’s Book Committee Awards 2025

Josette Frank
Flora Stieglitz Straus
(older readers)
Flora Stieglitz Straus
(older readers)
Flora Stieglitz Straus
(younger readers)
Claudia Lewis
(older readers)
Claudia Lewis
(younger readers)

Josette Frank Award

This award for fiction honors a book or books of outstanding literary merit in which children or young people deal in a positive and realistic way with difficulties in their world and grow emotionally and morally. The award has been given annually since 1943. Josette Frank, the editor of anthologies for children, served for many years as the Executive Director of the Child Study Association of America of which this committee was a part.

Winner

  • Not Nothing by Gayle Forman (Simon & Schuster)

Gayle Forman: Josette Frank Award 2025 Acceptance Speech

The Flora Stieglitz Straus Award

Established in 1994 to honor Flora Straus, who led the Children’s Book Committee for many years, this award is presented annually for a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people. Flora Straus stood for the values of courage, hard work, truth, and beauty while adapting to a changing world. She believed that books about varying cultures enrich and help all children in their growth. She championed diverse opinions and points of view and was a person of high principles, unfailing courtesy, and deep understanding.

Older Reader Winners

  • Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by Lynn Brunelle, illustrated by Jason Chin, (Neal Porter Books, Holiday House)
  • Witch Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy and the Red Scare by Andrea Balis and Elizabeth Levy, illustrated by Tim Foley, (Roaring Brook Press)

Younger Reader Winner

  • The One and Only Googoosh: Iran’s Beloved Superstar by Azadeh Westergaard, (Viking Books for Young Readers)

The Claudia Lewis Award

The Claudia Lewis Award, given for the first time in 1998, honors the best poetry book of the year. The award commemorates the late Claudia Lewis, distinguished children’s book expert and longtime member of the Bank Street College faculty and Children’s Book Committee. She conveyed her love and understanding of poetry with humor and grace.

Older Poetry Winner

  • Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, (Kokila)

Younger Poetry Winner

  • The Smell of Wet Dog: And Other Dog Poems and Drawings by Barney Saltzberg, (Neal Porter Books, Holiday House)