Today's Read Contributor On September 8, 2025, the National Book Foundation revealed the longlist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, offering an early glimpse into what may become some of the year’s most celebrated works for young readers. Drawn from more than 320 submissions, the ten-book list reflects a wide range of voices, perspectives, and narrative styles. This year’s announcement has been met with considerable enthusiasm, not only because of the literary quality of the selections but also because of the diversity of themes and innovations they bring to the genre.
Four of the longlisted authors are no strangers to this stage, with Derrick Barnes, Kyle Lukoff, Amber McBride, and Ibi Zoboi all returning as previous National Book Award nominees. Their works this year—Barnes’s The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze, Lukoff’s A World Worth Saving, McBride’s The Leaving Room, and Zoboi’s (S)Kin—showcase each writer’s continued ability to engage deeply with issues of identity, justice, and resilience. The return of these acclaimed voices reinforces their growing influence on the landscape of literature for young audiences.
Alongside them are six other authors whose inclusion highlights the vitality of new and established talent entering the field. María Dolores Águila, K. Ancrum, Mahogany L. Browne, Daniel Nayeri, Hannah V. Sawyerr, and Maria van Lieshout bring a spectrum of stories that expand the scope of young people’s literature. Collectively, their works delve into a wide range of experiences, from immigration and cultural preservation to historical retellings and contemporary struggles faced by youth.
This year’s longlist is notable not only for its diversity of authorship but also for the bold themes it embraces. Several of the titles confront systemic racism and racial identity in ways that challenge readers to reflect on broader societal issues. Others give voice to the experiences of transgender youth, offering narratives of affirmation and resilience. Stories exploring grief and loss provide young readers with nuanced reflections on healing, while works centered on immigration and cultural identity shed light on the importance of heritage and belonging. Historical fiction also features prominently, with narratives rooted in pivotal events such as the Great Depression and World War II. These stories invite readers to connect the struggles of past generations with present-day challenges, emphasizing literature’s ability to bridge time and context.
The longlist also stands out for its inventive use of form. Several works employ verse as a primary storytelling vehicle, a format that has become increasingly popular in youth literature for its emotional immediacy and accessibility. Graphic narratives further add to the mix, providing a visual component that resonates strongly with young audiences and underscores the adaptability of storytelling in an era where visual culture holds significant influence. These creative approaches reflect a willingness among authors to challenge conventional forms, expanding the boundaries of what literature for young people can be.
Educators and librarians have welcomed the announcement as an opportunity to showcase stories that not only entertain but also provoke meaningful conversations among young readers. Many of the titles on the list are expected to become staples in classrooms and community reading programs, serving as tools for dialogue on pressing social issues. For parents and guardians, the books also represent an array of choices that combine rich narratives with themes that can foster empathy, resilience, and critical thinking in children and teenagers.
The longlist will be narrowed to five finalists, which will be announced on October 7, 2025. From there, anticipation will build toward the 76th National Book Awards Ceremony, scheduled for November 19, 2025. The annual event, often regarded as one of the most prestigious moments in the literary calendar, will not only honor the winners across multiple categories but also reaffirm the importance of literature in shaping cultural conversations.
The significance of this year’s longlist lies in more than the individual works it highlights. Taken together, the selections underscore the evolving identity of young people’s literature as a space where authors can experiment with style, confront urgent social issues, and expand representation. The books chosen represent a literary field that is both responsive to the complexities of today’s youth and bold in its willingness to explore new creative directions.
By recognizing works that speak to the lived realities of diverse communities and experimenting with form, the National Book Foundation has signaled a commitment to championing innovation while honoring tradition. For readers, this means access to stories that are not only entertaining but also profoundly resonant and socially relevant. For the publishing industry, the longlist points to a future in which young people’s literature continues to grow as a site of cultural innovation and engagement.
As the road to the November ceremony continues, the ten longlisted books offer a compelling snapshot of the best in youth literature today. They serve as a reminder that storytelling for young audiences can be both imaginative and deeply impactful, preparing the next generation of readers to engage with the world in all its complexity.
