Best STEM Books List

Best STEM Books is a joint project of the American Society for Engineering Education, the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, the National Science Teachers Association, the Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees, and the Children’s Book Council since 2017. This list of books aims to provide recommendations to educators, librarians, parents, and guardians for the best children’s books with STEM content.

Reviewers appointed by NSTA, ITEEA, SEPA, and ASEE read and evaluate the submitted books. Their selections are published in a yearly list appearing in NSTA Reports and ITEEA’s Children’s Technology and Engineering magazine and are promoted through membership networks and at partner conferences.

WHAT IS STEM? STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is an integrated and creative approach to discovering and applying knowledge about our world to solve problems that utilize one, or more of the content areas. Trade books that deliver background and model the practices of STEM provide context and inspiration to readers.

The selection committee will evaluate submissions based on its adherence to the following criteria:

• Models innovation
• Illustrates authentic problems
• Assimilates new ideas
• Invites divergent thinking
• Explores multiple solutions
• Integrates STEM disciplines
• Shows progressive change or improvement
• Content accuracy–appropriate to age and audience

BROWSE THE BEST STEM LISTS

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

PAST WINNING TITLES (ANNOTATED LISTS)

• 2024 Best STEM Books (and spreadsheet format)
• 2023 Best STEM Books
• 2022 Best STEM Books
• 2021 Best STEM Books
• 2020 Best STEM Books
• 2019 Best STEM Books
• 2018 Best STEM Books
• 2017 Best STEM Books

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.