2026 Awards
for books published in 2025
Fiction Winner
The Sunflower Boys by Sam Wachman
Notable Books
Isola by Allegra Goodman
These Heathens by Mia McKenzie
Non-Fiction Winner
After Lives by Megan Marshall
Notable Books
Empty Vessel: The Story of the Global Economy in One Ship by Ian Kumekawa
The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne by Chris Sweeney
Poetry Winner
Where do you Live? by Hanaa Ahmad Jabr and Jennifer Jean
Notable Books
Flop Era by Lara Egger
To Wildness by Julia Thacker
Younger Reader’s Winner
Gather Grateful by Megan Litwin
Notable Books
The Remembering Candle by Alison Goldberg
Wonder Why by Lisa Perron
Julie Dobrow presenting a lifetime achievement award to Jill Lepore
Mary Cronin with non-fiction notable book winner Chris Sweeney
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2026 Julia Ward Howe Award Ceremony
Julie Dobrow with fiction winner Sam Wachman
Cynthia Levinson and Ray Shepard with children's notable book winners Alison Goldbeg and Lisa Perron, and children's book winner Megan Litwin.
Mary Cronin with non-fiction notable book winner Ian Kumekawa
Sara Stanton with poetry winner Jennifer Jean
Non-fiction winner Megan Marshall with Scott Guthery