The 2024 Kirkus Prize finalists have been announced, showcasing various outstanding books across three categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Young Readers’ Literature.

The Kirkus Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards, with each winner receiving $50,000. It is one of the most prestigious and lucrative literary awards in the world, established by Kirkus Reviews in 2014. The prize is unique in its emphasis on literary excellence, with finalists selected from books that have received the coveted Kirkus Star. A panel of esteemed judges, including critics, librarians, and booksellers, evaluates the finalists and selects the winners. The awards ceremony is typically held in October, where the winners are announced in a celebratory event.​

Here are the 2024 Kirkus Prize Finalists:

Fiction Finalists:

• Jennine Capó Crucet for Say Hello to My Little Friend
• Louise Erdrich for The Mighty Red
• Percival Everett for James
• Richard Powers for Playground
• Rufi Thorpe for Margot’s Got Money Troubles
• Paul Lynch for Prophet Song

Nonfiction Finalists:

• Steve Coll for The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the CIA, and the Origins of America’s Invasion of Iraq
• Adam Higginbotham for Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
• Tessa Hulls for Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir
• Olivia Laing for The Garden Against Time: In Search of a Common Paradise
• Shefali Luthra for Undue Burden: Life and Death Decisions in Post-Roe America
• Carvell Wallace for Another Word for Love: A Memoir

Young Readers’ Literature Finalists:

• Joanna Ho (Illustrated by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya) for We Who Produce Pearls (Picture Books)
• Jason Reynolds (Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey) for There Was a Party for Langston (Picture Books)
• Hiba Noor Khan for Safiyyah’s War (Middle Grade)
• Sherri Winston for Shark Teeth (Middle Grade)
• Kenneth M. Cadow for Gather (Young Adult)
• Safia Elhillo for Bright Red Fruit (Young Adult)

Some previous finalists include Nneka Lesley Arimah, Tan Twan Eng, and Viet Thanh Nguyen. The winners will be announced on October 16, 2024, at a ceremony in New York City​.