The Ultimate Opportunity for Historical Storytellers!
The Grateful American Book Prize is now accepting submissions for its annual award, recognizing exceptional historical fiction and non-fiction books that captivate young readers. The annual book prize is awarded for high quality, 7th to 9th grade level historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, and biographies about important people—and events—in America’s History.
Key Eligibility Requirements:
• Books published between August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025
• No self-published books; writing style must appeal to 11-to-15-year-olds
• Historic accuracy is paramount; fictitious stories must be well-researched
Important Details:
• Deadline for entry: July 31, 2025
• Prior editions are not eligible
• Submit your book via our online form
About the Grateful American Book Prize
David Bruce Smith’s Grateful American Foundation was founded on President’s Day 2014, with a mission to restore enthusiasm in American history for kids—and adults. The organization seeks to provide interest, insight, and to increase awareness about the people and events that influenced the founding of the United States. Smith has boundless enthusiasm for American History and a limitless longing to share it with America’s schoolchildren. So, it’s no wonder that the author and publisher co-created the Grateful American Book Prize the following year.
The Grateful American Book Prize was co-founded by David Bruce Smith and Dr. Bruce Cole, the former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, in 2015. It is awarded annually to the authors of books for children, ages 11 to 15; they can be works of historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, and biographies. “We are looking for excellence in writing and storytelling.”
The Prize consists of a $13,000 cash award in commemoration of the 13 original Colonies, and a lifetime membership to The New York Historical. In addition, the winner receives a silver medallion designed by Smith’s mother, the renowned artist, Clarice Smith. The two “Honorable Mentions” get $500 each and the silver medallion.
Learn more about previous Grateful American Book Prize Winners and Honorable Mentions >
The Grateful American Book Prize Is Accepting Submissions for 2025
The annual book prize is awarded for high quality, 7th to 9th grade level historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, and biographies about important people–and events–in America’s History.
The Grateful American Book Prize is accepting submissions for historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, and biographies for adolescents—ages 11 to 15, and published between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025.
“Over the past several decades schools have gradually de-emphasized history in the classroom; as a result, many students do not know who Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were,” 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 re-engage young readers and ramp up interest. 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.”
The Grateful American Book Prize comes with a $13,000 cash award in commemoration of the 13 original Colonies, a lifetime membership to The New York Historical, and a medallion created by Smith’s mother, the renowned artist, Clarice Smith. Two Honorable Mention recipients receive $500 each, plus the medallion.
Submit your book online via the Grateful American Book Prize Submission Form.
Please note: the deadline to enter is July 31, 2025.
Media Contact:
Francesca Raimond
Grateful American Book Prize
info@gratefulamericanbookprize.org
703-688-2233
Submit Your Book for the 2025 Grateful American Book Prize
The annual book prize is awarded for high
quality, 7th to 9th grade level historical fiction, fiction,
non-fiction, and biographies about important
people–and events–in America’s History.
ARLINGTON, Va. – January 2, 2025 — The Grateful American Book Prize is accepting submissions for historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, and biographies for adolescents—ages 11 to 15, and published between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025.
“Over the past several decades schools have gradually de-emphasized history in the classroom; as a result, many students do not know who Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were,” 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 re-engage young readers and ramp up interest. 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.”
The Grateful American Book Prize comes with a $13,000 cash award in commemoration of the 13 original Colonies, a lifetime membership to The New York Historical, and a medallion created by Smith’s mother, the renowned artist, Clarice Smith. Two Honorable Mention recipients receive $500 each, plus the medallion.
For more information and to submit your book via the online form, visit the Grateful American Book Prize website.
Please note: the deadline to enter is July 31, 2025.
Media Contact:
Grateful American Book Prize
info@gratefulamericanbookprize.org
703-688-2233