National Book Awards

The National Book Awards began in 1950. A group of publishers sponsored a dinner and ceremony to honor exceptional American books and to promote reading. Since then, the awards have been given out every year.

While the number of categories have changed-at one point during the 80s the categories ballooned and there were separate awards for hardcover and paperback books-the awards currently recognize the best in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children's literature.

The winners are selected via a five-member, independent judging panel for each genre. Winners receive a cash prize and a trophy.