Subaru of America, in alliance with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), last week announced the new winners of the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books. This award honors exceptional science writing and illustration in children's and young adult books that inspire and motivate our youth around the country. These books help young readers make connections to the world around them, improve their cognitive functions, and give them the building blocks to one day thrive in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.
The 2022 winning books covered subjects like biomimicry in nature, the history of vaccinations, fundamental biological insights, and learning how to look across the sky in the name of discovery. These books will be added to an exceptional list of over 64 books, which have been awarded since the prize’s creation in 2005.
Panels of librarians, scientists and educators evaluate the works to make sure they are age appropriate and present accurate science while not propagating misconceptions or stereotypes. The prize categories also include these criteria: picture books should strive to show how the natural world can pique the curiosity of younger readers, while books for older readers will drive understanding and discussions around scientific ideas. Hands-on science books should encourage problem-solving techniques and inquiry-based activities.
2022 prizes have been awarded to:
Children's Science Picture Book
Mimic Makers Biomimicry Inventors Inspired by Nature, by Kristen Nordstrom and illustrated by Paul Boston. Publisher: Charlesbridge.
Middle Grades Science Book
A Shot in the Arm! Big Ideas that Changed the World, by Don Brown. Publisher: Amulet Books.
Young Adult Science Book
Great Adaptations: Star-Nosed Moles, Electric Eels, and Other Tales of Evolution’s Mysteries Solved, by Kenneth Catania. Publisher: Princeton University Press.
Hands-On Science Book
Sky Gazing: A Guide to the Moon, Sun, Planets, Stars, Eclipses, and Constellations, by Meg Thacher. Publisher: Storey Publishing.
“It’s our pleasure to continue our partnership with AAAS as a part of our Subaru Loves Learning initiative, and we know that the books on this year’s list will influence generations to come within the realm of science,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief executive officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “Ensuring children have access to these important resources is so critical to the future of our country to inspire more interest in STEM fields.”
The Subaru and AAAS partnership goes beyond honoring the best science books for children. They have worked together on projects and developed resources that help authors connect with readers and educators. With many students learning at home over the past two years, AAAS has created more than 120 resources, including hands-on STEM activities and blog posts, with career interviews with STEM professionals and profiles of prize-winning authors – some of which were translated into Spanish.
