Books submitted for the 2026-2027, 39th Minnesota Book Awards. Last updated 9/15/26.
Children’s Literature:
It's a Mom by Abby Cooper; illustrated by Eliana Gutiérrez (Charlesbridge)
Josie Johnson: Minnesota's First Lady of Civil Rights by Dr. Tonya Allen; illustrated by CJ (Planting People Growing Justice Press)
Kwame Nkrumah: Warrior King by Nancy Loewen; illustrated by CJ (Planting People Growing Justice Press)
Mimi's Christmas Cake by Rima Chakraborty; illustrated by Robin Boyer (Desi Stories, LLC)
Minds of All Kinds by Kaitlyn Hokana Nelson; illustrated by Stephanie Hider (Beaver's Pond Press)
Move and Groove: A Fun Guide to Fitness and Feeling Great by Isaiah Allen; illustrated by Nils Britwum (Planting People Growing Justice Press)
My Daddy's Crescent Smile by Shayla Michelle & Mike Reaves, Jr.; illustrated by Windel Eborlas (Archway Publishing)
The Promise of Yet: Carl Walker's Learning Journey; illustrated by Chasity Hampton (Planting People Growing Justice Press)
Rayyan Makes a Daddy-Daughter Date by Rayyan Abdur Razzaq; illustrated by Reyhana Ismail (Planting People Growing Justice Press)
Robert S. Abbott: Defender of Justice by Dr. Artika Tyner; illustrated by CJ (Planting People Growing Justice Press)
Recycla-Bull by Jackson Becker; illustrated by Nastya Bankulova (Argyle Fox Publishing)
Sing by Lanell Lightfoot; illustrated by Chasity Hampton (Planting People Growing Justice Press)
Stay Cool, Stay Safe, Stay Strong: Understanding and Calming Emotions by Isaiah Allen; illustrated by Reyhana Ismail (Planting People Growing Justice Press)
General Nonfiction:
Future-Proofing Leadership: Navigating Change and Disruption to Thrive in an Uncertain World by Rosie Ward (Amplify Publishing)
Preparing Your Child for Their One Wild and Precious Life by James Jacoby (Seventh Chakra Press)
Wheels of Murder: The 1896 Bank Robbery That Shocked a Small Prairie Town by Jeffrey Sauve (Northstar Editions, Press Box Books)
Genre Fiction:
Beggars Will Ride by Nate Granzow (self-published)
Being Birch: More Timeless Tales in the Wheel of the Year by Elizabeth Rowan Keith (self-published)
The Broken Lute by Ruth Berman (FTL Publications)
Chorus of Crows by Sharon Wagner (Dreamsphere Books)
The Coal Room by Brenda Lyne (self-published)
The Grid by Brian Miller (self-published)
The Ice on the Lake by Alex Messenger (Blackstone Publishing)
Interstellar Mission: Infiltrate by Joan Marie Verba (FTL Publications)
Otto's Portal by Nathan Jorgenson (Flat Rock Publishing)
Solitary Citadel by Philip Louis Gissen (Salty Books Publishing)
Memoir & Creative Nonfiction:
The Dance of Resilience by Ember Reichgott Junge (She Writes Press)
I'll See You in My Dreams: A Sister's Memoir by Larkin McPhee (Koehler Books)
Into the Undergrowth: Rare Encounters and Conservation Stories on a Journey of Becoming by Dawn Tanner (Jackpine Writers' Bloc)
Love Lost - Love Found by William McNamara (self-published)
Nothing is Wasted: A Spiritual Journey from Fear and Judgement to Grace and Mystery by Marilyn Benson (self-published)
Reclamation: An Asexual & Aromantic Journey to Wholeness by Cindy Mundahl (Arising From Within Press)
Unity Map: Cartography of a Father's Homework by Tom Bengtson (self-published)
Middle Grade Literature:
Bubble Sheet Blues by William Durbin (Lake Vermilion Press)
Minnesota Nonfiction:
Saints and Sinners: The Pioneers of Saint Paul by Gary Brueggemann (self-published)
Novel & Short Story:
Black Arts: Stories by Megan Giddings (HarperCollins/Amistad)
Buddha Wrestles Faust in a Field of Skulls & Other Stories by Kevin O'Rourke (New American Press)
The Burntwood Anthology by David Loring Nash (Unsolicited Press)
Every Time She Shouted Fire by Will Tinkham (self-published)
Loon Point by Carrie Classon (Lake Union Publishing)
In the Company of Whales by Judy M. Taylor (self-published)
The Majestic Matejcek by Leif J. Erickson (self-published)
The Shipikisha Club by Mubanga Kalimamukwento (Dzanc Books)
Poetry:
Benevolence by Annette Gagliardi (League of MN Poets Press)
This Ground Beneath Our Feet by Emily Bright (Holy Cow! Press)
i dream of fish by Dougie Padilla (Luna Brava Press)
Nothing is Stationary by Joanne Esser (Holy Cow! Press)
The Shape of Your Absence by Greg Watson (One Subject Press)
Young Adult Literature:
Enterprising & Dangerous: That Word Honor: Book 2 by Erin Makela (Beaver's Pond Press)
The Verdant Cage by Jess Lourey (Entangled/Mayhem Books)