Children's book award · 2001–2026

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Books

The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is named for the longtime president of Bound to Stay Bound Books, which sponsors it. It has been awarded annually since 2001 by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book for children published in the United States.

Nonfiction here means biography, history, science, and true stories of every kind, judged on accuracy, documentation, organization, and design — the books to reach for when a child's questions have outgrown what you can answer at the dinner table.

Information from the American Library Association.

Graphic Nov.

Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer

The most recent cycle

The 2026 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award

2026 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Winner

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2025

Paka Paka con la Papa

By Sara Andrea Fajardo, Juana Martinez-Neal (Illustrator)

A scientist races against time to save wild potatoes from extinction.

Ezra Jack Keats Award (2026)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (2026)

40 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 387 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the Andes mountains, scientist Alberto Salas embarks on a thrilling quest to find wild potatoes before they vanish forever. These unique potatoes hold the potential to feed the world, but climate change threatens their existence. As Alberto plays a high-stakes game of hide and seek, the clock ticks down. Will he succeed in his mission to preserve these vital crops? Dive into this vibrant tale of adventure and discovery, where the fate of the world's food supply hangs in the balance.

2026 Honor Books

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

At Last She Stood

By Erin Entrada Kelly

A leprosy-stricken spy defies odds, carrying secrets that could change the war's tide.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2026)

208 pages· 28,703 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 548 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the chaos of World War II, Joey Guerrero, a Filipino woman with leprosy, becomes an unlikely hero. As Japanese forces occupy her homeland, she risks everything to deliver covert messages, exploiting her condition to evade capture. Her daring acts earn her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but post-war life presents new battles against discrimination and poverty. Joey's story is one of resilience and courage, challenging the boundaries of identity and history. How did a woman once seen as a mere secretary alter the course of history? Discover the untold legacy of a forgotten hero.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8

Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer

By Quartez Harris, Gordon C. James (Illustrator)

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2026)

40 pages· 1,023 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 302 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2025

The History of We

By Nikkolas Smith

Explore humanity's origins and first achievements through a captivating journey back to Africa.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2026)Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2026)

40 pages

4.5/5 Goodreads · 453 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Journey back to humanity's roots in Africa, where every person traces their ancestry. Discover the courage and curiosity of our shared ancestors as they painted, danced, and explored unknown lands. Through vivid illustrations, this tale reimagines the firsts of human civilization, centering Black people in our origin story. What was it like to be the first to create music or medicine? Uncover the ingenuity that shaped our world.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2564

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2025

Silenced Voices

By Pablo Leon

A mother's hidden past resurfaces, revealing a family's survival amid war and separation.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2026)Americas Award (2026)

240 pages· 11,249 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 635 ratings

$26.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 2013 Maryland, brothers Jose and Charlie uncover their mother Clara's hidden past during a genocide trial. Her story unfolds, taking them back to 1982 Guatemala, where young Clara and her sister Elena are torn apart by war. As Clara reveals the harrowing journey of survival and separation, the brothers grapple with the legacy of a conflict that shaped their family. Will the truth bring them closer or deepen the divide? Discover the powerful tale of resilience and hope across generations.

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 · 1,084 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.

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