Percival Everett, Rufi Thorpe and Louise Erdrich Among 2024 Kirkus Prize Nominees — See the Full List!

The finalists for the Kirkus Award 2024 have been announced.

On Wednesday, August 28, Kirkus Reviews announced the 18 finalists for this year’s award, which is awarded to one author each in the fiction, nonfiction and young readers categories. They are among the finalists American fiction writer Percival Everett, Rufi Thorpe, Louise Erdrich and Jason Reynolds.

Each winner will receive $50,000 — one of the largest literary prizes in the world.

To be considered for the award, an author’s book must have a starred review by the Kirkus team for the book published between November 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024. According to a press release, the star is only awarded to about 10% of titles reviewed annually.

Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum; Candlewick; MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Doubleday

“The 2024 Kirkus Award finalists represent the best of an outstanding collection of fiction, nonfiction and young reader titles published in the U.S. this year,” Kirkus Reviews Editor-in-Chief Tom Beer said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“Our fiction finalists reinvent the art of storytelling while addressing vital issues of our time. The nonfiction finalists shed new light on misunderstood historical events and offer personal stories that impact them. Our Young Readers finalists present powerful stories for children and young adults through a combination of prose, verse and art.”

PEOPLE’s best August 2024 books: Moon Unit Zappa reflects on Father Frank and other new books

Beer added: “These are all books that speak to our times and we know they will be read for years to come.”

Each category has its own selection of judges with bookstore owner Christine Bollow, Kirkus reviewer Jeffrey Burke, and Kirkus fiction editor Laurie Muchnick judging the 2024 Kirkus Prize for Fiction. Nonfiction jury members include author Hannah Bae, Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Ann Gwinn and Bee, and judging the Young Readers category are Kirkus Reviewer Christopher A. Biss-Brown, Professor Michelle H. Martin, and Kirkus Young Readers Editors Mahnaz Dar and Laura Simeon.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The three winners will be announced at an in-person ceremony on October 16 at 7:30 PM ET at the TriBeca Rooftop in New York City. The event will be streamed live on Kirkus’ YouTube channel.

Check out all the finalists and a quote from their Kirkus review below.

Kirkus Prize for Fiction 2024

Say hello to my little friend Jennine Capó Crucet” Author Create your home among strangers (2015) delivers a stunning second novel… Unclassified and unforgettable.”

Powerful red Louise Erdrich “The Red River of the North cuts a vivid trail through the hard lives that anchor Erdrich’s transcendent fiction about North Dakota… In this tender and expansive story, love and tragedy mingle along the river and into the world.”

James Percival Everett “Mark Twain Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as told from the perspective of a more resourceful and contemplative Jim than you remember… One of the noblest characters in American literature gets a novel worthy of him.”

Jeffrey Wright discusses Deletionthe novel that inspired American fiction: ‘A great read’ (Exclusive)

Jacob Percival Everett.

MacMillan

Playground By Richard Powers “A story of friendship, technology, oceans and a small island…A compelling, eloquent message for this fragile planet.”

Margo has money problems Rufi Thorpe”A college freshman discovers that everyone was right: her decision to give birth to her English teacher’s child really ruins her life. Until it happens… Great characters, rich world-building, deep reflections on fiction and morality, love story and a happy ending.”

Margo has money problems and PEOPLE’s Got an Excerpt: ‘I only slept with him because he had power’ (Exclusive)

MP’s song Paul Lynch “As Ireland turns into a brutal police state, one woman tries to keep her family safe in this poignant story . . .Gripping, terrifying and a singular achievement.”

Kirkus Award for Nonfiction 2024

Achilles’ Trap: Saddam Hussein, the CIA, and the Origins of the US Invasion of Iraq by Steve Coll “The Pulitzer Prize-winning author returns with a tour de force examination of the events leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq … A must-read for all conscientious citizens.”

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster at the Edge of Space Adam Higginbotham’s “A searching history of the disaster-ridden effort to build and launch the space shuttle… A deeply researched, fluently written study of miscommunication, hubris, and technological overreach.”

PEOPLE’s best books to read in May 2024: Steve Guttenberg reflects on his father and more

Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hulls”A graphic novelist grapples with the complicated history of her mother’s family… A work that sparkles with insight, acumen, and an unwillingness to settle for easy answers.”

Feeding the spirit of Tessa Hulls.

MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Garden against time: In search of a shared paradise Olivia Laing”The award-winning author writes a fascinating and personal journey to paradise… An intellectually verdant and emotionally rich narrative journey.”

An Undue Burden: Life and Death Decisions in Post-Doe America Shefali Luthra “The Human Consequences of the Dobbs Decision . . . Vivid Accounts of Lives Disrupted and Freedom Denied.”

Undue burden from Shefali Luther.

Doubleday

Another word for love: Memoirs Carvell Wallace”The story of a poet and podcaster’s journey to claim the fullness of his identity and power as a queer black American… An excellent, profound must-read.”

Kirkus Prize in Literature for Young Readers 2024

Picture books:

We who produce pearls Joanna Ho, illustrated by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya”Eyes that kiss in the corners (2021) author Ho reflects on Asian American history…Striking and defiant: An unashamed statement of hope.”

It was a party for Langston By Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey”Reynolds and the Pumphrey brothers take readers on a dazzling journey through the legacy of Langston Hughes… The bar set stratospherically high and cleared with room to spare.”

It was a party for Langston Jason Reynolds.

Young Sheldon’with Raegan Revord Hosts Your New Favorite Book Club: ‘I Didn’t See That Space For Kids’ (Exclusive)

Intermediate level:

Safia’s War Hiba Noor Khan”In this novel inspired by the true account of the French Resistance during World War II, a brave 11-year-old Muslim girl joins the effort to save lives… A must-read that stands out for its powerful plot and moving text.”

Shark teeth Sherri Winston “A Florida high school student tries to hide her problems at home while trying to have a normal school experience… A deeply satisfying story with an irresistible protagonist.”

Young adult:

get together Kenneth M. Cadow “Family is important; friends, both two-legged and four-legged, help too… A heartfelt novel about the challenges of youth and the value of community.”

Bright red fruit Safia Elhillo “A teenage poet from Washington, DC, becomes involved with an older man as she tries to break free from her mother’s expectations…A stunning work that deeply explores poetry, the complexities of identity, and the longing for love.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education