WASHINGTON, DC, Dec 20 — Submissions for the 2019 Grateful American Book Prize will be accepted after the first of the year. The award is presented annually for works of fiction and nonfiction that accurately illuminate the events and personalities of American history for 11-15-year olds. Books published between July 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019 are eligible.

The winner receives $13,000–in commemoration of the 13 original Colonies–a distinctive medallion created by American artist Clarice Smith, and a lifetime pass to the New-York Historical Society. Two additional authors get “Honorable Mentions,” the medallion, and $500 each.

Education advocate, author and publisher David Brice Smith co-founded the Prize in 2015 along with the late Dr. Bruce Cole, a former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“Our goal was to encourage new and established authors–and their publishers–to produce more books that stimulate a love of history. Knowledge about the past helps teenagers to grow into civically minded, responsible citizens,” says Smith.

In addition to Smith, the Panel of Judges includes Dr. Cole’s widow, Doreen Cole, former assistant to the Dean, Honors College, Indiana University; Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO, New-York Historical Society; Dr. Peter S. Carmichael, Robert C. Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies & Director of the Civil War Institute, Gettysburg College; Dr. Neme Alperstein, a teacher of Gifted and Talented Students in the New York City Public School System; Dr. Douglas Bradburn, author, historian;  President and Chief Executive Officer of George Washington’s Mount Vernon; and John Danielson, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Education Management Corporation.

L.M. Elliott received the 2018 Prize for her historical novel, Suspect Red, a re-examination of McCarthyism and the Red Scare, published by Hyperion-Disney. Ms. Elliott also earned an “Honorable Mention” for her Hamilton and Peggy! A Revolutionary Friendship, published by HarperCollins and Katherine Tegen Books.

Teri Kanefield picked up an “Honorable Mention” for her biography of Andrew Jackson. Ms. Kanefield is the author of The Making of America series published by Harry N. Abrams.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Books for adolescents—ages 11 through 15– about important events and people in America’s history, are eligible; historical fiction or non-fiction. We are looking for excellence in writing and storytelling.

• Books published between July 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019 are eligible. 
• Books cannot be self-published.
• Writing style has to appeal to learners in grades seven through nine.
• Books can include illustrations that appeal to children and reflect the highest standards of artistic creativity.
• Books must be historically accurate. Non-fiction works must describe events and individuals in a manner that is well researched and documented. Fictional stories must authentically convey the times in which they are meant to occur.