Here are the 5 winners and all 25 finalists of the 2024 National Book Awards

Barbara Kingsolver and Percival Everett have been announced the winners at the 75th National Book Awards, during a ceremony gala held on November 20, in New York. Back in September 2024, National Book Foundation has named the 25 finalists for the 2024 National Book Awards , from a total of 1,917 books submitted for this year’s competition. Five finalists were recognized in five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. And on November 20, 2024, at the National Book Awards Ceremony, the winners of the 75th edition of this prestigious book awards were announced . First of all, Barbara Kingsolver, acclaimed author of The Poisonwood Bible and 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner for Demon Copperhead , received the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. In her speech, she emphasized the role of disruptive literature in fostering understanding and driving social change. Kingsolver highlighted the power of empathy, saying, “We use our best beautiful tricks to lure people into letting go of themselves... because that empathy, my friends, is our salvation.” The foundation also honored W. Paul Coates with the Literarian Award for his contributions to the literary community. In 1978, Coates founded Black Classic Press to publish important works by and about people of African descent. And here are the winners of the 75th National Book Awards in the five categories. National Book Awards 2024 winners Fiction by Percival Everett James In “James,” when the enslaved Jim discovers he is to be sold and separated from his wife and daughter, he decides to hide on Jackson Island to devise a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn, having faked his own death to escape his abusive father, embarks on a perilous journey down the Mississippi River. The narrative retains classic elements from “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” including floods, unexpected encounters, and flawed characters like the Duke and Dauphin. However, Jim’s intelligence and compassion are portrayed in a markedly different, more empowering way. With its sharp humor and profound insights, Everett’s work is positioned as a crucial contribution to twenty-first century American literature. Nonfiction by Jason De León Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling Political instability, poverty, climate change, and demand for cheap labor drive clandestine border movement, increasing the need for smugglers. Often portrayed through stereotypes as violent figures, the true nature of smugglers is seldom understood. Anthropologist Jason De León spent seven years with a group of smugglers in Mexico, producing SOLDIERS AND KINGS , the first in-depth, character-driven exploration of human smuggling. This intimate narrative centers on a coyote who, amid moral conflicts, seeks to leave the smuggling world. De León provides a groundbreaking perspective on the challenges faced by those involved in this complex billion-dollar industry. Poetry by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha Something About Living Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s collection masterfully captures the duality of human experience by merging the desire for joy with the urgency of protest. Through her elegant and incisive poems, Tuffaha addresses the historic suffering of...

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