Current Winner:

Muhammad Najem, War Reporter

By Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus

Illustrated by Julie Robine

Past Winners

• 2024 - The Great Pet Heist by Emily Ecton and David Mottram
• 2023 - Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright
• 2022 - Stargazing by Jen Wang
• 2021 - Front Desk by Kelly Yang
• 2020 - Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
• 2019 - A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen
• 2018 - The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart
• 2017- Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth
• 2016 - Star Wars Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown
• 2015 - Wonder by R. J. Palacio
• 2014 - Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham
• 2013 - Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper
• 2012 - N.E.R.D.S. by Michael Buckley
• 2011 - Found: The Missing by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• 2010 - Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
• 2009 - The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
• 2008 - Ghost's Grave by Peg Kehret
• 2007 - The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
• 2006 - The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
• 2005 - Loser by Jerry Spinelli
• 2004 - Monsters of Morley Manor by Bruce Coville
• 2003 - Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
• 2002 - Dork in Disguise by Carol Gorman
• 2001 - Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
• 2000 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
• 1999 - Frindle by Andrew Clements
• 1998 - Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park