Children’s fiction and nonfiction books, poetry books, and verse novels honored at NCTE Annual Convention in Denver
The National Council of Teachers of English revealed the winners of the 2026 NCTE Children’s Book Awards, recognizing outstanding literary works for children that set a standard for excellence in the field.
The awards, selected by committees of NCTE-appointed teacher experts and authors, were announced at the 2025 NCTE Annual Convention in Denver.
“It is NCTE’s 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,” NCTE Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick said.
A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez, by María Dolores Águila, received the 2026 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children.
“I am deeply honored to receive the 2026 Charlotte Huck Award from NCTE,” Águila said. “To know that A Sea of Lemon Trees resonated with the Charlotte Huck Award Committee, whose mission is to recognize fiction that can transform children’s lives, is everything I hope my work accomplishes. Mil gracias to the Committee and NCTE for this incredible recognition.”
María Leija, chair of the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Committee, said, “This year’s winner exemplifies how books summon compassion and wonder to influence children’s lives by highlighting themes of justice and resilience. María Dolores Águila, a Chicana poet and author, brings to life—through a novel in verse—a moving fictionalized narrative of the school desegregation case of Roberto Alvarez vs. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School Board in 1931. Águila 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.”
Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, by Megan Clendenan and illustrated by Brittany Cicchese, received the 2026 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® 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.
“I’m honored that Just in Case was chosen as the 2026 Orbis Pictus Award winner. This came as a joyful surprise, and I’m especially proud to receive an award given by teachers,” Clendenan said. “I’m grateful to Brittany Cicchese and to the entire team at Charlesbridge. Thank you to everyone at NCTE 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.”
Caryl Crowell, chair of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Committee, said, “As our planet faces unknown outcomes in this age of rapid climate change, Just in Case provides a look at what’s 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.”
The award committees also recognized this year’s Charlotte Huck Honor Books and Recommended Books and Orbus Pictus Honor Books and Recommended Books.
The NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee selected several titles for the 2026 Notable Children’s Poetry Books and Verse Novels List, also announced at the Convention.
“This year, we are proud to announce a wide range of poetry books and verse novels that spark children’s curiosity and wonder, encouraging them to explore ordinary things—such as nature, trees, and colors—through fresh and imaginative perspectives,” said Junko Sakoi, chair of the NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee. “Through 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.”
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About NCTE
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college. Through the expertise and advocacy from its members’ professional research, practice, and knowledge, NCTE 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, NCTE: media@ncte.org