The Josette Frank Award is an annual children's literary award for fiction that honors a book or books of "outstanding literary merit in which children or young people deal in a positive and realistic way with difficulties in their world and grow emotionally and morally".

Known as the Children's Book Award from 1943 to 1997, it was renamed in honor of Josette Frank, the editor of many anthologies for children and a former Executive Director of the Child Study Association of America.

The award is given annually by the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education

Bank Street College of Education

Bank Street College of Education is located in Manhattan, New York City.-History:Bank Street was founded in 1916 by Lucy Sprague Mitchell as the "Bureau of Educational Experiments"....

. The prize to the author of the award book has been provided by the Florence L. Miller Memorial Fund.

Winners

2011: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Grace Lin

Grace Lin is a children's author, and illustrator.She grew up in New York. Her parents are Taiwanese immigrants to the United States.She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design.She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.-Awards:...

2010: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

2009: After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson is an American author who writes books targeted at children and adolescents. She is best known for 'Miracle's Boys' which won the Coretta Scott King Award in 2001 and her Newbery Honor titles 'After Tupac & D Foster', 'Feathers' and 'Show Way'...

2008: Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

2007: Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Sara Pennypacker

Sara Pennypacker, born in Massachusetts, is an author of children's literature who was awarded the Golden Kite Award for Pierre In Love.She has written thirteen children's books, including the those in the Clementine and Stuart series...

The Manny Files

The Manny Files

The Manny Files is a 2006 young adult novel written by Christian Burch and published by Atheneum Books.- Plot introduction:Keats Dalinger, a shy young boy, learns how to be more outgoing and self-confident after his family hires a new "manny" . Keats is a small boy who has many troubles at school...

by Christian Burch

2006: Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Deborah Wiles

Deborah Wiles is an award-winning children's book author. Her second novel, Each Little Bird That Sings, was a 2005 National Book Award finalist.-Personal life:...

2004: Ida B and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World

Ida B.

Ida B: . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and Save the World is a 2004 children's novel written by Katherine Hannigan. The audiobook version is narrated by Lili Taylor.-Plot introduction:...

by Katherine Hannigan

Katherine Hannigan

-Biography:Hannigan was born in Lockport, New York in 1962. She has undergraduate degrees in mathematics, education, and painting, and a Master of Fine Arts in studio art. She has worked as assistant professor of art and design and as an education coordinator for Head Start. She currently lives in...

2003: The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is an American author of young adult fantasy and adult fiction.-Biography:Shannon Hale is the author of ten novels, including the best-selling Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, the "Books of Bayern" series, two adult novels, and two graphic novels that she and her husband co-wrote...

2002: Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney

Caroline B. Cooney

Caroline B. Cooney is an American author of suspense, romance, horror and mystery books for young adults. She currently resides in Fort Mill, South Carolina....

Jericho Walls by Kristi Collier

2001: Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart by Vera B. Williams

Vera Williams

Vera B. Williams is an American children's writer and illustrator. Her best known work, A Chair for My Mother, has won multiple awards and was featured on the children's television show Reading Rainbow. She was the U.S...

2000: Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie is a children's novel by Kate DiCamillo published in 2000 and winner of a Newbery Honor distinction the following year. It also won the 2000 Josette Frank Award, and 2003 Mark Twain Award...

by Kate DiCamillo

Kate DiCamillo

Katrina Elizabeth "Kate" DiCamillo is an American children's author. She is known for the Newbery Medal-winning book The Tale of Despereaux, the Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie, and the Mercy Watson series, plus numerous other award-winning and honored books.-Early life:Born in...

1999: Figuring Out Frances by Gina Willner-Pardo

1998: My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Willis Holt

Kimberly Willis Holt

Kimberly Willis Holt is an American children's book writer, most famous for writing When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, which won the 1999 National Book Award for Young People's Literature...

1997: No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa by Beverley Naidoo

Beverley Naidoo

Beverley Naidoo is a popular South African children's author who has written a number of award-winning novels, mainly about life in South Africa, where she spent her childhood. She graduated from the University of York with a BA in Education in 1968....

1996: The Cuckoo's Child by Suzanne Freeman

1995: Music from a Place Called Half Moon by Jerrie Oughton

1994: Earthshine by Theresa Nelson

1993: Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Virginia Euwer Wolff

Virginia Euwer Wolff is a prize-winning American author of children's literature, born in Portland, Oregon 25 Aug 1937. She attended an all-girls' school called St. Helen's Hall , before attending Smith College. She married Arthur Richard Wolff in 1959...

1992: Blue Skin of the Sea by Graham Salisbury

Graham Salisbury

Graham Salisbury is an American author. He has written many books including Under the Blood Red Sun, his most famous novel. He lives with his family in Lake Oswego, Oregon....

1991: Shadow Boy by Susan E. Kirby

1990: Secret City, USA by Felice Holman

1989: Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder

Carolyn Reeder

Carolyn Reeder is the author of several children's historical fiction, and three non-fiction books for adults...

1988: The Most Beautiful Place in the World by Ann Cameron

December Stillness by Mary Downing Hahn

Mary Downing Hahn

Mary Downing Hahn is an award-winning American author of young adult novels. Her first published book, The Sara Summer, was released in 1979, when she was forty-one years old. Since then she has written over twenty novels...

1987: Rabble Starkey

Rabble Starkey

Rabble Starkey is a novel by Lois Lowry. It won the 1987 Josette Frank Award.In the novel, 12-year-old Rabble Starkey's mother is hired by Mrs. Bigelow to look after her children while she's in the hospital...

by Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry is an American author of children's literature. She began her career as a photographer and a freelance journalist during the early 1970s...

1986: Journey to Jo'burg by Beverley Naidoo

Beverley Naidoo

Beverley Naidoo is a popular South African children's author who has written a number of award-winning novels, mainly about life in South Africa, where she spent her childhood. She graduated from the University of York with a BA in Education in 1968....

1985: With Westie and the Tin Man by C.S. Adler

C. S. Adler

C.S. Adler is an American children's book author. She has been a full-time writer since the publication of her first book, The Magic of the Glits, in 1979. That book won both the William Allen White Award and the Golden Kite Award.She has since published 43 more books for young readers...

1984: One-Eyed Cat by Paula Fox

Paula Fox

Paula Fox is an American author of novels for adults and children and two memoirs. Her novel The Slave Dancer received the Newbery Medal in 1974; and in 1978, she was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal. More recently, A Portrait of Ivan won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 2008.Her...

1983: The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver is a historical fiction children's novel by author Elizabeth George Speare, which has merited numerous literary awards. It was published in February 1983, and has become one of her most popular works...

by Elizabeth George Speare

Elizabeth George Speare

Elizabeth George Speare was an American children's author who won many awards for her historical fiction novels, including two Newbery Medals. She has been called one of America’s 100 most popular children’s authors and much of her work has become mandatory reading in many schools throughout the...

The Solomon System by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is an American author best known for her children and young adult fiction books. Naylor is best known for her children's-novel trilogy Shiloh , Shiloh Season and Saving Shiloh, all made into movies...

1982: Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz

Jean Fritz

Jean Guttery Fritz, born November 16, 1915, is an American children's author and biographer.-Life:Jean Fritz was born to American missionaries in Hankow, China, where she lived until she was thirteen. She was an only child . Growing up, Fritz kept a journal about her days in China with Lin Nai-Nai...

1981: A Spirit to Ride the Whirlwind by Athena Lord

1980: A Boat to Nowhere by Maureen Wartski

Maureen Wartski

Maureen Crane Wartski is a naturalized American author She has written many novels for children and young adults...

1979: The Whipman is Watching by T.A. Dyer

1978: The Devil in Vienna by Doris Orgel

Doris Orgel

Doris Orgel is a children's literature author. She was born Doris Adelberg in Vienna, Austria February 15, 1929. She currently lives in New York City and is a full time Children's author....

1977: The Pinballs

The Pinballs

The Pinballs is a 1976 young adult novel by American author Betsy Byars. The story is about three foster children, Carlie, Harvey and Thomas J., who have been taken in by the Masons, a couple who have cared for many other foster children in the past in also have some personal problems . Carlie...

by Betsy Byars

Betsy Byars

Betsy Cromer Byars is an American author of children's books. Her novel Summer of the Swans won the 1971 Newbery Medal...

1976: Somebody Else's Child by Roberta Silman

1975: The Garden is Doing Fine by Carol Farley

1974: Luke Was There by Eleanor Clymer

Eleanor Clymer

Eleanor Clymer, born Eleanor Lowenton , was a writer of children's books, best known for The Trolley Car Family . She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1928 with a degree in English...

1973: A Taste of Blackberries

A Taste of Blackberries

A Taste of Blackberries is an award-winning children's book by Doris Buchanan Smith about a boy whose best friend dies.-Background:In the early 1970's editors believed that because of its theme, involving the death of a child, the story was more suitable for adults than for children, and A Taste of...

by Doris Buchanan Smith

Doris Buchanan Smith

Doris Buchanan Smith was an award-winning author of children’s books distinguished for their realism.- Works :...

1972: A Sound of Chariots by Mollie Hunter

Mollie Hunter

Maureen Mollie Hunter McIlwraith, more commonly known as Mollie Hunter , is a Scottish writer. Born and bred near Edinburgh in the small village of Longniddry. She currently resides in Inverness. Her debut was The Smartest Man in Ireland in 1963. She writes fantasy for children, historical stories...

1971: John Henry McCoy by Lillie D. Chafin

1970: Rock Star by James Lincoln Collier

James Lincoln Collier

James Lincoln Collier is a journalist, author, and professional musician.Collier was born to Edmund Collier and Katherine Brown. He came from a family of writers and teachers, including his father and several aunts and uncles. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1950...

Migrant Girl by Carli Laklan

1969: The Empty Moat by Margaretha Shemin

1968: What It's All About by Vadim Frolov

1967: The Contender by Robert Lipsyte

Robert Lipsyte

Robert Lipsyte is an American sports journalist and author. Lipsyte is a member of the Board of Contributors for USA Todays Forum Page, part of the newspaper’s Opinion section.-Personal background:...

1966: Queenie Peavy by Robert Burch

1965: The Empty Schoolhouse by Natalie Savage Carlson

Natalie Savage Carlson

Natalie Savage Carlson is an award-winning American author of children's books....

1964: The High Pasture by Ruth Harnden

1963: The Peaceable Revolution by Betty Schechter

The Rock and the Willow by Mildred Lee

1962: The Trouble With Terry by John Lexau

1961: The Road to Agra by Aimee Sommerfelt

Aimée Sommerfelt

Aimée Sommerfelt was a Norwegian author of numerous children's books and young adult novels.She was most famous for her 1959 work The Road to Agra. In 1961, it became her first book to be published in the United States, being translated into English by Evelyn Ramsden...

The Girl From Puerto Rico by Hila Colman

1960: Janine by Robin McKown

1959: Jennifer by Zoa Sherburne

1958: South Town by Lorenz Graham

1957: Shadow Across the Campus by Helen R Sattler

1956: The House of Sixty Fathers

The House of Sixty Fathers

The House of Sixty Fathers is a children's novel by Meindert DeJong first published in 1956. Illustrations were provided by Maurice Sendak. The novel was based on the author's own experiences growing up in China during the second world war....

by eindert DeJong #

1955: Plain Girl by Virginia Sorenson

Virginia Sorenson

Virginia Sorensen, also credited as Virginia Sorenson, was the author of the 1957 John Newbery Medal winning Miracles on Maple Hill. Her first novel, A Little Lower Than the Angels, was written and published in 1942 while she resided in Terre Haute, Indiana, with her first husband Frederick C...

Crow Boy by Taro Yashima

Taro Yashima

was the pseudonym of , a Japanese artist.He was born in Nejime, Kagoshima in 1908. After studying for three years at the Imperial Art Academy in Tokyo, he became a successful illustrator and cartoonist before going to jail because of his opposition to the militaristic government...

1954: The Ordeal of the Young Hunter by Jonreed Lauritzen

High Road Home by William Corbin

1953: In a Mirror by Mary Stolz

Mary Stolz

Mary Stolz was an American writer of fiction for children and young adults. Her works received Newbery Honors in 1962 and 1966 and her entire body of work was awarded the George G. Stone Recognition of Merit in 1982.Her literary works range from picture books to young-adult novels...

1952: Jareb by Miriam Powell

Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop

Claire Huchet Bishop

Claire Huchet Bishop was a children's novelist and librarian, winner of the Newbery Honor for Pancakes-Paris and All Alone and the Josette Frank Award for Twenty and Ten...

1951: No Award

1950: Partners: The United Nations and Youth by Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...

 & Helen Ferris

1949: Paul Tiber: Forester by Maria Gleit

1948: The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck

Pearl S. Buck

Pearl Sydenstricker Buck also known by her Chinese name Sai Zhenzhu , was an American writer who spent most of her time until 1934 in China. Her novel The Good Earth was the best-selling fiction book in the U.S. in 1931 and 1932, and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932...

1947: Judy's Journey by Lois Lenski

Lois Lenski

Lois Lenski was a popular and prolific American writer of children's and young adult fiction.One of her projects was a collection of regional novels about children across the United States...

1946: Heart of Danger by Howard Pease

Howard Pease

Howard Pease was an American writer of adventure stories from Stockton, California. Most of his stories revolved around a young protagonist, William Todhunter Moran who shipped out on tramp freighters during the interwar years...

1945: The Moved-Outers by Florence Cranell Means

1944: The House by Margorie Hill Alee

1943: Keystone Kids by John R. Tunis

John R. Tunis

John Roberts Tunis was a well-known and prolific author of juvenile sports fiction...

External links

• Awards on the Bank Street School of Education website