The Chicago Book Award ($25,000)
The Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award: Nominations Now Open for 2026
The Newberry Library has opened nominations for the 2026 Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award, an annual prize recognizing books that transform public understanding of Chicago—its history, culture, people, and evolving identity.
Established in 2021 by The Pattis Family Foundation in partnership with the Newberry Library, the award celebrates outstanding works that speak to a broad general audience while resonating with the Newberry’s extensive collections on Chicago and its people.
About the Chicago Book Award
The Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award is presented annually to an author (or authors) whose book offers fresh insight into Chicago. The winning title should not only demonstrate excellence in writing and research but also illuminate the city in ways that matter to contemporary readers.
The award includes:
- A $25,000 cash prize
- A public award event at the Newberry Library, featuring a lecture or conversation with the winner
- Opportunities for additional engagement with the Newberry’s archival collections and public programs
Eligibility Requirements for the Chicago Book Award
Eligible books must:
- Promote public understanding of Chicago
- Be available for purchase in hardcover or bound paperback
- Carry a 2024 or 2025 copyright to qualify for the 2026 award
Both fiction and nonfiction are eligible, including history, biography, social sciences, art, architecture, poetry, drama, graphic novels, and literary fiction.
The following are not eligible:
- Translations, textbooks, anthologies, reprints, or new editions
- Pamphlets, digital-only publications, travel guides, children’s books, or self-published works
- Books by current or former Newberry staff members (if written during their employment)
Selection Criteria
Books are evaluated based on:
- Their contribution to public understanding of Chicago
- Quality and clarity of writing
- Originality of perspective or research
- Relevance to contemporary issues
- Resonance with the Newberry Library’s collection strengths
- Depth and rigor of research
Strong research plays a critical role in book-length projects of this nature, especially for writers working at the intersection of history, place, and narrative, as explored in this guide on the significance of research in creative writing.
How to Nominate
Nominations for the 2026 award are now open and free to submit. Authors, publishers, and members of the public may nominate books by completing the official nomination form on the Newberry Library website. Publishers of shortlisted titles will be asked to provide five copies of the nominated book for review.
Recent Award Recipients
The 2025 award was presented to Scott W. Berg for The Burning of the World: The Great Chicago Fire and the War for a City’s Soul, a work praised for its narrative depth, archival strength, and broad public appeal.
Previous awardees and shortlisted titles span multiple genres, underscoring the award’s openness to diverse approaches to storytelling and scholarship.
