Middle East Outreach Council
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Middle East Book Award

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Middle East Book Award Seal
The Middle East Outreach Council established the Middle East Book Award in 1999 to recognize books for children and young adults that contribute meaningfully to understanding of the Middle East. 
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Books that are nominated for awards are judged on the authenticity of their portrayal of a Middle Eastern subject, as well as on their characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience. A committee of MEOC members, including teachers, librarians, outreach coordinators, and other educators select award winners (and, if deemed appropriate, honorable mention titles) in three categories.
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  • Picture Book
  • Youth Literature
  • Youth Non-Fiction, given in honor of Lisa Adeli

The Middle East Book Award, along with our sister programs (the Américas Award, the Children’s Africana Book Award, the Freeman Book Awards (East/Southeast Asia), and the South Asia Book Award), is pleased to recognize exemplary titles in globally focused literature for younger readers.

Complete list of Middle East Book Award Recipients (2000-2024)
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2024 Middle East Book Award Press Release (pdf)
File Size: 206 kb
File Type: pdf
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Lists of recognized titles by category

Picture book

Simply worded plot- or subject-driven text, accompanied by large images on most pages, intended for very young readers.

youth non-fiction
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Given in honor of Lisa ADELI

Reference or other non-fiction —e.g., biography—intended for ​K-12 audiences or their teachers

YOUTH LITERATURE

Plot-driven books (with or without illustrations); collections of poetry; and/or memoirs appropriate for young adult readers in middle and high school.

submission guidelines

Are you a publisher or author hoping to submit your book for consideration? Click here for submission guidelines.

Serve as a Reviewer


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THE 2025 MIDDLE EAST BOOK AWARD TEAM
E-Mail us!
ABBY LIMMER
2025 Nominations Chair
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CHRISTOPHER ROSE
2025 Book Award Co-Chair

2024 Winners 

PICTURE BOOK
Award Winners
The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale 
by Aya Khalil; Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan
(Tilbury House, 2023)
 
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 The Ferris Wheel
by Tülin Kozikoğlu; Illustrated by Hüseyin Sönmezay
​(Crocodile Books, 2023)
Honorable Mention
The Blue Butterfly of Cochin 
by Ariana Mizrahi; Illustrated by Siona Benjamin
​(Kalaniot, 2024)

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Eleven Words for Love: A Journey Through
Arabic Expressions of Love
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by Randa Abdel-Fattah; Illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke  (Candlewick, 2023)
YOUTH NON FICTION
given in honor of Lisa Adeli
Winner
Where is Jerusalem?
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by Ellen Morgan & Stephen Marchesi
​(Penguin Young Readers, 2023).
Honorable Mention
The Miracle Seed
by Martin Lemelman
(Eedrman's Books for Young Readers, 2023)
YOUTH LITERATURE
Winner
The Djinn's Apple
 by Djamila Morani
(Neem Tree Press, 2024)

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  • Home
  • About
    • Lifetime Achievement Awards
    • Meeting Minutes
    • By-Laws
  • Book Awards
    • Picture Book
    • Youth Non-Fiction
    • Youth Literature
    • Submission Guidelines
  • News
    • Calendar
  • Annual Meeting
  • Resources
    • Join MEOC >
      • Institutional Members
    • Forum
    • Image Gallery