The Prize is awarded to the authors of books for children 11 to 15 years old, about important people–and events–in America’s history. Books can be works of fiction or non-fiction and may include illustrations. The writing style needs to appeal to young learners in grades seven through nine. Works published between August 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024 qualify.

The annual book prize includes a $13,000 cash award, in commemoration of the 13 original Colonies, a lifetime membership at the New-York Historical Society, and a medallion created by the renowned artist, Clarice Smith. Two Honorable Mention recipients receive $500 each, and the medallion.

“Over the past several decades schools have gradually de-emphasized history in the classroom; as a result, kids-now–do not know who George Washington and Benjamin Franklin are,” according to David Bruce Smith, Co-founder of the Prize. “It’s been a lingering problem for quite some time and so, at the behest and in collaboration with the late Dr. Bruce Cole, the former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, we established the Prize to engage young readers. As Dr. Cole put it, ‘we are a country of historical amnesiacs’ and perhaps historical ‘page turners’ for kids may be just what the doctor ordered.”

Submit your book via the Grateful American Book Prize Submission Form.

The deadline for book submissions is July 31, 2024.