Mathical books inspire a love of math by connecting with children’s interests, from magic, sports, art, music, and poetry, to biography, adventure, graphic novels, and of course, picture books for the very young.
These titles are as varied as the intersection between literature and mathematics — that is to say, they encompass picture books, novels, poetry collections, puzzle books, biographies, and more! Each year’s winners and honor books join a selective and ever-growing list of new and previously published fiction and non-fiction titles for youth.
A single title will be awarded the Mathical Book Prize annually in each of five grade-level categories each year. Additional titles may be named as Honor Books across the same categories:
- Pre-K
- Grades K-2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
Books are chosen to support students’ pleasure reading by encouraging the independent pursuit of the joy, beauty, and power of mathematics in the world around us. Titles are suited for library collections, informal learning settings, and classroom studies.
Both literary merit and mathematical interest must be present for a book to be eligible for the prize. Creative approaches that embrace math as logic and problem solving, math as the finding of patterns, and math as critical and artistic thinking, are encouraged.
For Publishers
How to Enter
Publishers are eligible to submit an unlimited number titles via the online form, typically in September each year. Winners are announced in February of the award year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions about the Mathical Book Award and prize process.
Selection Committee
The Mathical selection panel is drawn from librarians, teachers, mathematicians, early childhood experts, and others.
Partners & Sponsors
Mathical Books and the Mathical Book Prize are possible with the help of these sponsors and partner organizations.
Logos & Graphics
A selection of graphics that authors, publishers, the media, and educators can use to promote Mathical winning titles.
Media Kits
Use these tools to help spread the word about the Mathical Book Prize to parents, librarians, educators, and literature-lovers of all ages.
Critical Issues in Mathematics Education Workshop
In most years since 2018, the Mathical Book Prize awards announcement has taken place in conjunction with the annual Critical Issues in Mathematics Education (CIME) conference in Berkeley, California at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath), formerly MSRI.
This series of workshops addresses key problems in education today. They are designed to engage mathematicians, mathematics education researchers, and K-12 teachers as participants.
We extend our thanks to the CIME organizers and participants for joining us to share and discuss each year’s winning titles, as well as strategies for use in the mathematics classroom and beyond.