Award Winning Books

The National Book Awards

Winners and finalists, 1989-1998

The National Book Foundation was founded in 1989, as an outgrowth of the long-established National Book Awards, with a mission to raise the cultural value of great writing in America. In the years since, the Foundation has developed an extensive array of free educational programs across the nation for readers of all ages and backgrounds, such as its Summer Writing camp in the Adirondack Mountains, its Family Literacy workshops in New York City, and its American Voices project at Native American reservations. All of its programs feature National Book Award authors, who seek to foster a love of reading and writing among participants. 

The winner in each category receives a $10,000 cash award; each finalist receives $1,000. To be eligible for a 1997 National Book Award, books must be written by a U.S. citizen and published in the United States between December 1, 1996, and November 30,1997. Only publishers may submit books for consideration. 

After reviewing the books on this list, check out the National Book Foundation's Recommended Reading List.

To locate other books of interest, please use our search box.

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