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 · Picture Book

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2026

Navigating Night

By Julie Leung, Angie Kang (Illustrator)

A girl navigates her father's delivery route, uncovering family history and understanding.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2026)

48 pages

4.5/5 Goodreads · 325 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Every night, a girl helps her father deliver Chinese take-out, resenting the task and feeling different from other kids. As she guides him with Cantonese directions, she learns of his solitary immigration journey. This revelation transforms her perspective, deepening her appreciation for their shared sacrifices and the life he has built for her. Will she embrace her unique family story?

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 · 1,106 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

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 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner · Fiction

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2026

A Scar like a River

By Lisa Graff

A scarred teen's secret unravels, threatening friendships and family bonds.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2026)

400 pages· 87,891 words· Est. 12 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 741 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Fallon hides a dark secret behind her facial scar. As her uncle's death triggers chaos, her friendships falter, and family tensions rise. With secrets threatening to surface, can Fallon confront her past and find healing? Discover a tale of resilience and the power of truth.

2026 Honor Books

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2089

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban

By Daniel Miyares

A boy's life is upended by revolution and a quest for freedom.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2026)

240 pages· 9,804 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 678 ratings

$21.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the midst of the Cuban Revolution, 12-year-old Carlos faces upheaval as his father vanishes, leaving him and his family to navigate a dangerous escape to America. Torn between the only home he's known and the promise of freedom, Carlos must confront the harsh realities of a world in turmoil. Will he reunite with his father, or will the revolution's grip tighten around his dreams? This gripping memoir captures a family's courageous journey toward a new beginning.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2026

The Great Frog

By Katie Palazzola

A tale of sibling bonds and mythical protectors unfolds as truth and imagination blur.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2026)

40 pages

3.8/5 Goodreads · 45 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Kit spins a tale of the Great Frog to comfort her brother Peedie about frog eggs' safety. As Peedie's belief grows, so does the legend, with castles on the moon and starry steeds. When Kit reveals the truth, Peedie isn't disheartened. He believes stories hold truth and protectors exist. This enchanting story explores sibling bonds, imagination, and the magic of belief.

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 · 644 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

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

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2026

While We're Here

By Anne Wynter, Micha Archer (Illustrator)

A busy day transforms into a celebration of small joys.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2026)

40 pages

4.5/5 Goodreads · 203 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a bustling city, a girl and her mother navigate a hectic day. When unexpected changes slow their pace, they discover the beauty in life's small pleasures. As they savor these moments, vibrant artwork captures their journey, turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary celebration. What hidden joys will they uncover together?

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 · 101 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

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.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2659

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2026

As I Dream of You

By Jennifer Lee, LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

Can love defy death, or will dreams become nightmares?

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2026)

352 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 782 ratings

$27.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Franny and Sam, two teens shaped by heartbreak, discover love's true power when they fall for each other. Their bond seems unbreakable, even capable of defying death itself. But as they fight to stay together, reality and fantasy blur, threatening to turn their dream into a nightmare. Can their love survive the ultimate test, or will it unravel in the face of impossible odds? Dive into a world where love challenges fate and the line between life and dreams is dangerously thin.

Every year

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners by Year

The honorees

Books Recognized by the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

Sale price

$1999

A World Without Summer

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2025

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

Sale price

$1799

A Scar like a River

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2026

A scarred teen's secret unravels, threatening friendships and family bonds.

Sale price

$1899

Navigating Night

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2026

A girl navigates her father's delivery route, uncovering family history and understanding.

Sale price

$1999

While We're Here

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2026

A busy day transforms into a celebration of small joys.

Sale price

$1999

The Second Life of Snap

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2026

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

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2199

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

A boy's life is upended by revolution and a quest for freedom.

Sale price

$1899

When Beavers Move In

Picture Book · Ages 4–8

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

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2799

As I Dream of You

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2026

Can love defy death, or will dreams become nightmares?

Sale price

$1899

The Great Frog

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2026

A tale of sibling bonds and mythical protectors unfolds as truth and imagination blur.

Sale price

$1999

Everything We Never Had

Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2024

Four generations of Filipino American men confront identity, legacy, and fractured bonds across decades.

Sale price

$1899

I Know How to Draw an Owl

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

A girl finds solace in an owl as she navigates life without a home.

Sale price

$1999

Death in the Jungle

Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2025

A leader's dark influence leads 900 followers to a deadly end.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2199

Oasis

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

Two siblings and a robot navigate survival in a tech-driven world, seeking hope and connection amid desolation.

Sale price

$1999

Up, Up, Ever Up!

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

A woman defies odds to conquer Everest and protect nature.

Sale price

$1899

My Daddy Is a Cowboy

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

A girl discovers her inner cowboy during a dawn ride with her father.

Sale price

$1999

Compound Fracture

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2024

A trans teen battles a corrupt sheriff in a deadly Appalachian feud.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2299

Uprooted

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

A girl navigates loneliness and identity after moving to Hong Kong.

Sale price

$1899

Nose to Nose

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

New dog Toby faces misunderstandings and rumors in his quest for friendship.

Sale price

$899

Remember Us

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2023

A neighborhood burns, friendships shift, and memories guide the way forward.

Sale price

$1899

Do You Remember?

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2023

A boy and his mother share memories, blending past joys and new beginnings.

Sale price

$1999

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2023

The Mona Lisa vanishes, sparking a mystery that questions its very existence.

Sale price

$1899

Kin

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Uncover a family's hidden past shaped by enslavement and freedom through evocative poetry and art.

Sale price

$4000

The New Brownies' Book

Chapter Book · 2023

A vibrant anthology celebrates Black excellence, inspiring young minds with art and stories.

Sale price

$1999

Rez Ball

Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2023

A young athlete must lead his team to victory to honor his brother's legacy.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Books

The 2026 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners by Year

Books Recognized by the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

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