FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2026 In the Margins Book Awards Announce Top Titles Amplifying Justice-Impacted Voices
The 2026 In the Margins Book Awards proudly announce this year’s top titles, recognizing powerful works of young adult nonfiction, fiction, and social justice advocacy that illuminate the lived experiences of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals and system-impacted youth.
Selected by a national committee of librarians and educators who work directly with marginalized youth, the awards celebrate books that too often go unseen—stories that exist in the margins, yet deserve to be front and center in our schools, libraries, and communities.
TOP AWARD WINNERS
- Top YA Fiction
Last Chance Live! by Helena Haywoode Henry
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, a division of Penguin Random House, October 2025
Hardcover | $21.99 | 544 pages | 9780593625309 | Ages 12–16 – A sweeping, emotionally resonant novel exploring ambition, identity, and the risks and rewards of chasing dreams while navigating complex personal and social pressures face by incarcerated youth. - Top YA Nonfiction
Pushing Hope: An Illustrated Memoir of Survival by Raymond Santana
Published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing House, October 2025
Hardcover | $24.99 | 288 pages | 9781662680397 | Ages 14–17 – An illustrated memoir of wrongful conviction, perseverance, and healing, Santana’s powerful narrative offers young readers an accessible and deeply personal account of survival and the enduring fight for justice. - Social Justice Advocacy
Stitching Freedom: A True Story of Injustice, Defiance, and Hope in Angola Prison by Gary Tyler with Ellen Bravo
Published by One Signal, an imprint of Atria, a division of Simon & Schuster, October 2025. Hardcover | $29.00 | 288 pages | 9781668097328 | Adult – This searing account chronicles decades of wrongful imprisonment and the transformative power of art, resistance, and community advocacy.
2026 IN THE MARGINS TOP 10 BOOKS
The full Top 10 list continues the In the Margins tradition of honoring titles that confront injustice while affirming resilience and hope.
- Emma Bland-Smith. Growing Up in the Shadow of Alcatraz. January 2025. Published by Capstone Press, Hardback $22.95. 32 pages. 9781669088622. Ages 14 & Up.
- Channelle Desamours. Needy LittleThings. February 2025. Wednesday Books, an imprint of The St. Martin’s Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan Publishers. Hardback $20.00. 320 pages. 9781250334817. Ages 10-12.
- Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. Adapted by Paul Peart-Smith. Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States. October 2025. Published by Beacon Press. Hardback $22.95. 120 pages. 9780807012680. Ages 12 & Up.
- Candace Fleming. Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Loat Dream of Jonestown. April 2025. Published by Anne Schwartz Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Book, a division of Penguin Random House. Hardback $24.99. 368 pages. 978059340069. Ages 12-15.
- Helena Haywoode Henry. Last Chance Live! October 2025 by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, a division of Penguin Random House. $21.99. 544 pages. 9780593625309. Ages 12-16.
- Kim Johnson. The Color of a Lie. June 2024. Published by Random House Books for Young Readers an imprint of Randon House Childrens Books, a division of Penguin Random House. Hardback $19.99. 336 pages. 9780593118801. Ages 12-17.
- Frederick Joseph. This Thing of Ours. May 2025. Published by Candlewick Press. Hardback $18.99. 384 pages. 9781536233463. Ages 12-17.
- Normandy D. Piccolo. Bug. January 2025. Published by Normandy’s Bright Ideas.Paperback $19.99. 242 pages. 9780997934991. Ages 16-18.
- Jason Reynolds. Coach. October 2025. Published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster. Hardback $17.99. 256 pages. 979834710237. Ages 10-12.
- Raymond Santana. Pushing Hope: an Illustrated Memoir of Survival. October 2025. Published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing House. Hardback $24.99. 288 pages. 9781662680397. Ages 14-17.
Complete lists and full annotations for each selected title are available at:
https://inthemarginssite.blog/awards-list/
The website and full award lists go live on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
These selections embody In the Margins’ mission to uplift literature that speaks to youth navigating challenging realities. This year’s list includes a dynamic mix of fiction, nonfiction, and graphic narratives, tackling issues like mass incarceration, addiction, urban violence, and racial injustice. The awards are divided into 3 groups incompassing Top Ten Titles, Fiction and Nonfiction YA Recommendations, and Social Justice & Advocacy.
Complete lists and full annotations for each title are available on our website: https://inthemarginssite.blog/awards-list/. The website and full award lists will go live as of Thursday, February 26.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
In an era when youth voices are often silenced, these books provide a vital platform for stories that must be heard. From the criminalization of Black and Brown youth to acts of resistance against systemic oppression, the 2026 selections challenge readers to examine injustice while empowering them to imagine change.
For Journalists and Educators:
These titles spark critical conversations about youth activism, incarceration, racial justice, identity, and the transformative power of literature.
For Libraries and Bookstores:
These selections offer high-interest, diverse titles that engage reluctant readers and reflect the lived experiences of system-impacted youth.
HOW TO FEATURE THESE TITLES
✅ Review Copies, Book Events & Signings: Check with individual publishers.
✅ Media Inquiries: Please contact the committee at inthemarginsbookaward@gmail.com.
✅ New Book Submissions: Please contact the committee at https://inthemarginssite.blog/submissions/
ABOUT IN THE MARGINS
The In the Margins Award Committee is comprised of juried and non-juried members, librarians, library supervisors, and library educators currently working with youth who experience the challenging circumstances represented in the selected titles. Grounded in professional expertise and direct service, the committee is committed to expanding access to literature that reflects the realities, creativity, and resilience of marginalized youth.
The 2026 juried committee members are:
Sabrina Carnesi, Past SL Practitioner, Library Science Educator, Newport News, VA
Marvin DeBose, Philadelphia Free Library, Philadelphia.PA
The 2026 advisor:
Amy Cheney, Founding Member, Past Director of Oakland Unified
We appreciate your support in amplifying stories that matter—stories that challenge, inspire, and affirm that even from the margins, powerful change begins.
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