History of Boston Globe–Horn Book Award in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 3, 2025

The Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards are American literary awards presented annually since 1967 by The Boston Globe and The Horn Book Magazine. Awards are given to one book in each of four categories: Fiction and Poetry, Nonfiction, and Picture Book. These awards are considered prestigious honors in children's and young adult literature.

1967: Inauguration of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards

In 1967, The Boston Globe and The Horn Book Magazine established the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards, American literary awards recognizing excellence in children's and young adult literature.

1975: Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards Categories

In 1975, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards had two categories, fiction and picture book.

1976: Introduction of the Nonfiction Award

In 1976, the Nonfiction award was introduced as a new category for the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards.

1977: Special Citations

In 1977, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards gave out a Special Citation.

1999: Special Citations

In 1999, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards gave out a Special Citation.

2001: Fiction Category Revised to "Fiction and Poems"

In 2001, the fiction category for the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards was revised to "Fiction and Poems", with the award recognizing "Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson".

Carver: A Life in Poems

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June 2011: Eligibility Window Opens for Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards

In June 2011, books published from June 2011 to May 2012 became eligible for consideration for the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards. This marked the beginning of the award cycle for the 2011-2012 academic year.

2011: Changes to Submission Limits

Prior to 2011, publishers were restricted to submitting a limited number of candidates for the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards.

May 2012: Submission Deadline and Eligibility Window Closes for Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards

In May 2012, publishers had until May 15 to submit books published between June 2011 and May 2012 for consideration for the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards, marking the end of the submission window for the 2011-2012 award cycle.