Goddard – CBC Youth Book Prize for Social Justice

The Youth Book Prize for Social Justice recognizes books for children and teens related to urban life and issues that support values such as community, equality, opportunity, mutual understanding, respect, caring, and justice.

HONORING BOOKS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Launched in 2020, the Goddard – CBC Youth Book Prize for Social Justice recognizes books for children and teens related to urban life and issues that support values such as community, equality, opportunity, mutual understanding, respect, caring, and justice – in accordance with Goddard Riverside’s mission.

Books submitted by children’s book publishers are reviewed by a committee, and a shortlist is issued. The winner of each year’s awards is announced at Goddard Riverside’s Annual Gala.

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE 2025 Goddard Riverside – CBC Youth Book Prize for Social Justice

Young Change Makers: Compassionate Kids, by Stacy C. Bauer; illustrated by Emanuela Ntamack, for Sourcebooks Explore, is the winner of this year’s award!

The youth prize judges wrote: “In Young Change Makers: Compassionate Kids, we meet twelve children and teens from preschool to high school who have each found a way to make a difference. Their real-life stories demonstrate how each was inspired and created change. This book reminds us all – kids and adults alike – that they have the power to change the world!”

The winners were announced before a full house at the annual Goddard Bash on October 9 at Bryant Park Grill in New York City.

The Goddard book prizes celebrate the power of the written word to create change in the name of justice for all. They reflect Goddard Riverside’s determination to not only ameliorate the impacts of poverty but help create a more just society.

2025 SHORTLIST AND WINNER

Calling All Future Voters! by Laura Atkins, Rev. Edward Hailes Jr, and Jennifer Lai-Peterson; illustrated by Srimalaie Bassani. ISBN 9781962351010 (Gloo Books)

Gifts From the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw Away by Andrew Larsen; foreword by Nelson Molina; illustrated by Oriol Vidal. ISBN 9781728283517 (Sourcebooks Explore)

Jina Jeong: Project Park Art by Carol Kim; illustrated by Flavia Zuncheddu. ISBN 9780756585143 (Picture Window Books / Capstone)

Where are the Women? by Janice Hechter. ISBN 9781643713809 (Red Chair Press)

WINNER — Young Changemakers: Compassionate Kids by Stacy C. Bauer; illustrated by Emanuela Ntamack. ISBN 9781464222986 (Sourcebooks Explore)

2024 SHORTLIST AND WINNER

Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes by Traci N. Todd; illustrated by Shannon Wright. ISBN 9781338305906 (Orchard Books / Scholastic)

Jane Jacobs: Champion of Cities, Champion of People by Rebecca Pitts. ISBN 9781644212998 (Seven Stories Press)

The Mother of a Movement by Rob Sanders; illustrated by Sam Kalda. ISBN 9781433840203 (American Psychological Association)

WINNER — Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry by Jeff Gottesfeld; illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha. ISBN 9781954354241 (Creston Books). Read more about the winner.

2023 SHORTLIST AND WINNER

Evicted! The Struggle for the Right to Vote, by Alice Faye Duncan; illustrated by Charly Palmer (Calkins Creek / Astra Books for Young Readers)

Our World is a Family, by Miry Whitehill and Jennifer Jackson; illustrated by Nomar Perez (Sourcebooks Explore)

Your Planet Needs You: A Kids’ Guide to Reducing Waste and Recycling, by Philip Bunting (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

WINNER — Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie’s Place, the Nation’s First Shelter for Women, by Christine McDonnell, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov (Candlewick Press). Read more about the winner.

2022 SHORTLIST AND WINNER

Art Of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art For Your Revolution, by De Nichols (Candlewick Press)

Pocket Change Collective: Concrete Kids, by Amyra Leon; illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky (Penguin Workshop / Penguin Young Readers)

Something Happened In Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence, by Ann Hazzard, Marietta Collins, and Marianne Celano (Magination Press)

Tani`s New Home: A Refugee Finds Hope and Kindness in America, by Tanitoluwa (Tani) Adewumi; illustrated by Courtney Dawson (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Without Separation: Prejudice, Segregation, and the Case of Roberto Alverez, by Larry Dane Brimner; illustrated by Maya Gonzalez (Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills & Kane)

WINNER — Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, by Annette Bay Pimentel; illustrated by Magaly Morales (Abrams Books For Young Readers). Read more about the winner.

2021 SHORTLIST AND WINNER

All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything, by Annette Bay Pimental; illustrated by Nabi H. Ali (Sourcebooks Explore/Sourcebooks Kids)

Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood, by Tony Hillery; illustrated by Jessie Hartland (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books)

Lizzie Demands a Seat!: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights, by Beth Anderson; illustrated by E. B. Lewis (Boyds Mill & Kane/Calkins Creek)

WINNER — For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in A Better World, by Michael W. Waters; illustrated by Keisha Morris (Flyaway Books). Read more about the winner.

MORE AWARDS. Eloise Greenfield Children’s Poetry Advocate Prize, Notable Social Studies Book Awards, Outstanding Science Book Awards, Best STEM Book Awards, and more collaborations.