Children鈥檚 fiction and nonfiction books, poetry books, and verse novels honored at 91探花 Annual Convention in Denver
The 91探花 Council of Teachers of English revealed the winners of the 2026 91探花 Children鈥檚 Book Awards, recognizing outstanding literary works for children that set a standard for excellence in the field.
The awards, selected by committees of 91探花-appointed teacher experts and authors, were announced at the 2025 91探花 Annual Convention in Denver.
鈥淚t is 91探花鈥檚 privilege to recognize these exceptional titles, which offer poignant depictions of important historical themes and current events in a manner that will enhance the education of elementary and middle school students everywhere,鈥� 91探花 Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick said.
, by Mar铆a Dolores 脕guila, received the 2026 91探花 Charlotte Huck Award庐 for Outstanding Fiction for Children.
鈥淚 am deeply honored to receive the 2026 Charlotte Huck Award from 91探花,鈥� 脕guila said. 鈥淭o know that A Sea of Lemon Trees resonated with the Charlotte Huck Award Committee, whose mission is to recognize fiction that can transform children鈥檚 lives, is everything I hope my work accomplishes. Mil gracias to the Committee and 91探花 for this incredible recognition.鈥�
Mar铆a Leija, chair of the 91探花 Charlotte Huck Award Committee, said, 鈥淭his year鈥檚 winner exemplifies how books summon compassion and wonder to influence children鈥檚 lives by highlighting themes of justice and resilience. Mar铆a Dolores 脕guila, a Chicana poet and author, brings to life鈥攖hrough a novel in verse鈥攁 moving fictionalized narrative of the school desegregation case of Roberto Alvarez vs. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School Board in 1931. 脕guila expertly depicts how Mexican Americans persisted, resisted, and coalesced in opposition to discriminatory education practices. The story empowers readers to imagine a more just future when faced with injustice.鈥�
, by Megan Clendenan and illustrated by Brittany Cicchese, received the 2026 91探花 Orbis Pictus Award庐 for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. Established in 1989, the Orbis Pictus Award is the longest-running book award to recognize excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored that Just in Case was chosen as the 2026 Orbis Pictus Award winner. This came as a joyful surprise, and I鈥檓 especially proud to receive an award given by teachers,鈥� Clendenan said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to Brittany Cicchese and to the entire team at Charlesbridge. Thank you to everyone at 91探花 for believing in this book, which I hope will now reach even more readers and inspire discussions about the power of cooperation, seed saving, and finding hopeful solutions.鈥�
Caryl Crowell, chair of the 91探花 Orbis Pictus Award庐 for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Committee, said, 鈥淎s our planet faces unknown outcomes in this age of rapid climate change, Just in Case provides a look at what鈥檚 being done to protect the biodiversity and future evolutionary health of our earthly home. In a well-sourced, dual text format, supported with beautiful, painterly illustrations, students across the grades can learn more about these efforts to save seeds from every seed bank around the world.鈥�
The award committees also recognized this year鈥檚 Charlotte Huck Honor Books and Recommended Books and Orbus Pictus Honor Books and Recommended Books.
The 91探花 Children鈥檚 Poetry Awards Committee selected several titles for the 2026 Notable Children鈥檚 Poetry Books and Verse Novels List, also announced at the Convention.
鈥淭his year, we are proud to announce a wide range of poetry books and verse novels that spark children鈥檚 curiosity and wonder, encouraging them to explore ordinary things鈥攕uch as nature, trees, and colors鈥攖hrough fresh and imaginative perspectives,鈥� said Junko Sakoi, chair of the 91探花 Children鈥檚 Poetry Awards Committee. 鈥淭hrough poetic devices and stunning artwork, these books invite readers to notice details and experiences they might otherwise overlook, encouraging them to ponder, reflect, and imagine. We also identified underrepresented themes, including women in science and mental health, which offer readers courage, resilience, and strength. We hope teachers will share these beautiful poetry books and verse novels in the classroom to inspire meaningful dialogue and explore diverse perspectives and experiences by connecting past and present.鈥�
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About 91探花
The 91探花 Council of Teachers of English (91探花) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college. Through the expertise and advocacy from its members鈥� professional research, practice, and knowledge, 91探花 has served at the forefront of every major improvement in the teaching and learning of English and the language arts since 1911. For more information, please visit ncte.org.
Media Contact
Allie Ciaramella, 91探花: media@ncte.org