Jane Addams Children's Book Award

The Jane Addams Children's Book Award honors books for young readers that engage with peace, social justice, global community and equality. It is presented by the Jane Addams Peace Association and has its roots in the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the organization Jane Addams helped found in 1915. The first call for submissions went out to American publishers in 1953.

The criteria have shifted over the decades. Early committees looked for stories about settling conflict without violence and overcoming fear and prejudice. Today the committee weighs literary and artistic quality alongside how well a book encourages children to think, talk and ask questions about building a fairer world. A single book was honored in the early years; the award now recognizes several titles each year, with winners and honor books for younger and older children.

Books for children and young readers, judged on literary and artistic quality and on how well they prompt thinking about peace, social justice, global community and equality.