Outstanding Science Trade Books

A joint project of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the CBC since 1973, Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 represents the year’s best science books, chosen by science educators. The selection panel looks for well-presented books that contain substantial science content, that is also clear, accurate, up-to-date, and reflects current scientific research.

The annotated bibliographies feature titles published in the previous calendar year and selected by a book review committee appointed by the NSTA. Titles are grouped by category, including Archaeology, Anthropology, and Paleontology; Biography; Earth and Space Science; Environment and Ecology; Life Science; Physical Science; and Technology and Engineering. Each annotation contains bibliographic data.

BROWSE AND SEARCH THE OUTSTANDING SCIENCE LIST

• 2025 Outstanding Science Trade Books on Website — searchable titles on our site with links to their publishers
• 2025 Outstanding Science Trade Books Spreadsheet — an editable file that allows to sort or manipulate as needed
• 2025 Outstanding Science Trade Books PDF — COMING SOON

PAST WINNING TITLES (ANNOTATED LISTS)

• 2024 Outstanding Science Trade Books PDF (and spreadsheet format)
• 2023 Outstanding Science Trade Books
• 2022 Outstanding Science Trade Books
• 2021 Outstanding Science Trade Books
• 2020 Outstanding Science Trade Books
• 2019 Outstanding Science Trade Books
• 2018 Outstanding Science Trade Books

View more annotated lists on NSTA’s website.

Publishers: Submissions are currently CLOSED. To learn more about submitting titles next year, check out past submission guidelines. Email cbc.info@cbcbooks.org with questions.