One of the top book prizes in the country has named its final five. The prize is the National Book Award.
One part of the prize is for books for young readers. The final list came out in October 2026.
One of these five books will take home one of the top book prizes in the country.
“One of these five books will take home one of the top book prizes in the country.”
The five books
- When Tomorrow Burns by Tae Keller. Tae Keller won the Newbery Medal for her book When You Trap a Tiger.
- Holloway by Elana K. Arnold.
- That Which Feeds Us: A Hawaiian Gothic by Keala Kendall.
- The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America by David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels. This one tells a true story from the past.
- Shook by Julian Randall.
Who are these books for?
These books are for older kids and teens. They are not bedtime books for little ones.
If you have a big kid at home, this list is a good place to hunt for a next read. Your library will have them, or can get them for you.
What happens next
Each writer on the list gets $1,000 and a medal. The winner gets $10,000 and a bronze sculpture.
The winner will be named on November 18, 2026, at the 77th National Book Awards. We will tell you who wins.
Source: Locus Magazine, “2026 National Book Awards Finalists” (October 2026).
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