Kirkus Reviews revealed the winners of the 13th annual Kirkus Prize during a ceremony in New York City on October 2, 2026. The awards, which include a $50,000 grant, recognize books of exceptional merit in three categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Young Readers’ Literature. The winners were selected from a pool of books that received a Kirkus star over the past year, totaling 3,584 fiction titles, 2,806 nonfiction titles, and 3,936 young readers' works.
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Kirkus Reviews editor-in-chief Tom Beer stated, "Readers can rejoice over the winners of this year’s Kirkus Prize; these are remarkably accomplished works of fiction and nonfiction that nevertheless wear their accomplishments lightly. Above all, they are unforgettable books that will engage and transform all who enter their pages."
The winner in the Fiction category is Tayari Jones for her novel "Kin" (Alfred A. Knopf). The story follows Niecy and Annie, who are “cradle friends” from small-town Louisiana in the 1950s, both grappling with the loss of their mothers. Jones uses their diverging lives to explore social injustice, employing intimate and musical language.
Finalists in Fiction included Daniyal Mueenuddin, "This Is Where the Serpent Lives"; Brenda Navarro, translated by Megan McDowell, "Eating Ashes"; Julie Orringer, "Luna, Phoenix, Queen"; Douglas Stuart, "John of John"; and Colson Whitehead, "Cool Machine". The Fiction jurors were Kimberly Brock, Karen R. Long, and Laurie Muchnick.
The Nonfiction category was won by Pamela Colloff for "Catch the Devil: A True Story of Murder, Deception, and Injustice on the Gulf Coast" (Knopf). The book recounts the case of Jim Dailey, who was wrongfully convicted in 1987 for the murder of 14-year-old Shelly Boggio, largely due to unreliable testimony from a jailhouse informant. Colloff critiques a criminal justice system that often overlooks accountability.
Finalists included Ada Ferrer, "Keeper of My Kin"; Patrick Radden Keefe, "London Falling"; Loubna Mrie, "Defiance"; Gisèle Pelicot with Judith Perrignon, translated by Natasha Lehrer & Ruth Diver, "A Hymn to Life"; and Michael Pollan, "A World Appears". Jurors for Nonfiction were Bonnie Tsui, Nora Krug, and John McMurtrie.
In the Young Readers’ Literature category, Elizabeth Acevedo won for "Anger Is Only a Shadow" (Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins). The narrative follows Liliana, who awaits trial while her brother's mental health declines. Acevedo's nuanced verse offers a deeply compassionate portrayal of teenage challenges.
Finalists included Julie Leung, illustrated by Angie Kang, "Navigating Night"; Karthika Naïr, illustrated by Joëlle Jolivet, "Electric Birds of Pothakudi"; Matthew Fox, "The Lovely Dark"; Daniel Nayeri, "This Is a Door"; and Blessing Musariri, "When It’s Your Turn for Midnight". The jurors for Young Readers’ Literature were Sarah Park Dahlen, Leah Johnson, and Kirkus young readers’ editors Mahnaz Dar and Laura Simeon.