Nominations for the 2023 Middle East Book Award

Books published in the period between January 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023 are eligible to be nominated for the 2023 award. Books must address in a substantive way any part of the Middle East region, or any of its component peoples or cultures, either through expository text (non-fiction category) or through characterization, action and plot (picture book and youth literature categories). New editions of books previously published are eligible for consideration if the content has been significantly revised.

For purposes of this award, the Middle East is defined as: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Books set outside the region may be eligible for consideration if one or more main characters are from the Middle East and their origin or culture is pertinent to the plot of the book. (NOTE: Books fully set in Pakistan/India/Bangladesh are not eligible for the Middle East Book Award, however they may be eligible for the South Asia Book Award (SABA) instead; this award is given by a separate group and has its own nomination process and eligibility criteria, please contact SABA directly for information).

• Nominated titles must be primarily written in English (fully bilingual is okay) and available for purchase in North America.
• Books that have been published in other global markets (Europe / Australia / South Asia, etc.) should be submitted during the period of eligibility based on the the date that they become available for the North American market.
• Books that are not available in the North American market except via special order are generally not eligible for consideration; please contact the Book Award chair for guidance. 
• Books that have been nominated previously but still fall within the eligible publication window for the following year's award are generally not re-reviewed; please contact the Book Award chair for guidance

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:

• Picture Book (simple text accompanied by large images on most pages, intended for elementary school readers).
• Youth Literature (Plot-driven books, with or without illustrations, collections of poetry, and memoirs appropriate for young adult readers in middle and high school).
• Non-Fiction (reference or other non-fiction—e.g., memoir—intended for K-12 audiences or their teachers). Please note that academic  monographs about K-12 education generally do not meet our criteria--please inquire if you are uncertain.

Graphic novels may be judged within any of the above categories, depending on the intended age of the reader and genre.

AWARD Timeline

Nominations may be received at any time.

January-May
Nominations are solicited from publishers. 

June 1
Deadline for nominations; in order to be eligible, books must have been published between from January 1 of the previous year through June 1 of the current year. Nominated titles may be received until June 30, although we do ask that we be notified if titles will arrive later than June 1.

June-October
Reviewing takes place over the summer and early fall.

November/December
Announcement of Awards

NOMINATIONS FROM PUBLISHERS AND AUTHORS

Publishers are requested to submit five review copies of their book. We do prefer hard copies unless there are extenuating circumstances (please note that books that are out of print and unlikely to be reprinted will not be considered).

Nominated copies should be sent to:

2023 Middle East Book Awards
c/o Corinne Hughes
3270 N Vancouver Ave
Apt 209
Portland OR 97227

For questions about the Middle East Book Awards, contact BookAwards@meoc.us. 

NOMINATIONS FROM OTHER PARTIES

​MEOC welcomes nominations from its members, other educators, publishers, and the general public.
Submit your nomination now! Deadline: June 1, 2023.

NOMINATIONS FOR 2023 ARE OPEN!
Click here to nominate a title.

2022 MIDDLE EAST BOOK AWARD WINNERS

Download the press release announcing this year's winners.

2023 Nominations Coordinators

CORINNE HUGHES

E-Mail us!

CHRISTOPHER ROSE