Children's book award · 1967–2026

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Books

The Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards have been presented since 1967 by The Boston Globe and The Horn Book Magazine, the oldest journal of children's book criticism in the United States. Winners and honor books are named in three categories each year: Picture Book, Fiction and Poetry, and Nonfiction.

Because a small panel of critics is appointed fresh each year rather than a standing committee, the awards have a reputation for reaching past the obvious choices — a good place to find the ambitious book the bigger medals missed.

Information from The Horn Book.

The most recent cycle

The 2026 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

2026 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner · Nonfiction

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2025

A World Without Summer

A volcanic eruption plunges the world into chaos, inspiring a legendary tale of creation and destruction.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2026)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2026)

304 pages· 34,098 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,042 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: On a quiet Indonesian island, the Tambora volcano erupts, casting the world into darkness and chaos. As the climate shifts unpredictably, a young Mary Shelley finds inspiration in the turmoil, crafting the iconic tale of Frankenstein. This gripping narrative explores the catastrophic impact of nature's fury and the unforeseen consequences of human actions. Can humanity learn from the past, or are we doomed to repeat it? Dive into a world where the sky rains ash and the sun refuses to shine, and discover the story of a disaster that reshaped history and literature.

2026 Honor Books

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2026

The Second Life of Snap

By Erin Entrada Kelly

A girl and her robot face survival challenges in a dystopian world.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2026)

176 pages· 26,431 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 525 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: In a harsh, sun-scorched camp, twelve-year-old Zuzu Santos receives an outdated robot, Snap, as severance when her father loses his job. With Snap's battery dwindling, Zuzu is determined to keep him alive, but Snap is equally committed to protecting Zuzu and her friends. As resources dwindle and tensions rise, their bond is tested. Will Zuzu find a way to save Snap, or will Snap's sacrifice be inevitable? This heartwarming tale of friendship and survival explores the lengths one will go to protect those they love in a world where hope is scarce.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8

When Beavers Move In

By Alison Pearce Stevens, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)

Beavers build dams, causing chaos. Can they find a new home?

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2026)

40 pages

4.5/5 Goodreads · 94 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: When beavers invade Puget Sound, they topple trees and flood neighborhoods. The Tulalip Tribes step in, relocating these industrious creatures to safer habitats. Discover the delicate balance between nature and community.

Every year

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners by Year

The honorees

Books Recognized by the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

Sale price

$1899

Saturday

Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2019

A young girl spends a day with her mother, experiencing various disappointments but ultimately learning the value of time with loved ones.

Sale price

$1799

King and the Dragonflies

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

A boy's grief and a missing friend lead to secrets and self-discovery by the bayou.

Sale price

$1999

It Began With a Page

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

An artist fights for diversity in children's books, defying rejection to change the world.

Sale price

$2199

Infinite Hope

Picture Book · Ages 10–13 · 2019

A black soldier's art and hope defy the horrors of WWII's segregated army.

Sale price

$1795

Birdsong

Picture Book · Ages 3–8 · 2019

A girl finds friendship and challenges in a new town as her elderly neighbor's health declines.

Sale price

$1999

Pokko and the Drum

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

A little frog's drumming leads a forest parade. Can she hear her father's call home?

Sale price

$1799

When You Trap a Tiger

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

A girl must decide: make a deal with a magical tiger or risk losing her grandmother.

Sale price

$799

The Season of Styx Malone

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Two brothers' adventure spirals as secrets threaten their wildest dreams.

Sale price

$1799

This Promise of Change

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2019

Twelve students integrate a high school, facing escalating tensions and personal challenges.

Sale price

$1899

Nine Months

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

A family awaits a new baby, experiencing seasons and growth together.

Sale price

$1599

The Patchwork Bike

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2016

In a desert village, siblings craft a unique bike for wild adventures.

Sale price

$1899

Dreamers

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Two people cross a bridge and start a new life in a new land, where they find hope and become stories.

Sale price

$1799

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2018

Experience a year of Cherokee celebrations and gratitude through the seasons.

Sale price

$799

The Parker Inheritance

Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

A hidden letter reveals a mystery and a fortune. Can Candice and Brandon solve it before it's lost forever?

Sale price

$899

The First Rule of Punk

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

A new school, a punk band, and a fight for self-expression.

Sale price

$1999

A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Explore the universe's vast numbers and discover your unique place among them.

Sale price

$1799

They Say Blue

Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 2018

A girl explores colors, questioning what she sees and imagines beyond her view.

Sale price

$2465

A Different Pond

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

A young boy goes fishing with his father before dawn on a Saturday morning, learning about his father's past and their cultural heritage along the way.