2024 Award Winners
Children’s Literature
Set in Korea
The House Before Falling into the Sea
Set in Cambodia
Rats to the Rescue: The Unlikely Heroes Making Cambodia Safe
Set in Japan
Hokusai’s Daughter: A Young Artist in Old Japan
Set in Japan
Noodles on a Bicycle
Set in Myanmar, Thailand, USA
A Tree of My Own
Set in Japan and Nepal
Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains
Set in The Philippines
A Roof!
Young Adult / Middle School Literature
Set in Vietnam and USA
A Two-Placed Heart
Set in Vietnam
The Crossbow of Destiny
Set in Indonesia
The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree
Set in Korea
A Brush with Magic
Young Adult / High School Literature
Set in Korea
A Crane Among Wolves
Set in Vietnam
A Bánh Mì For Two
Young Adult / Middle & High School Graphic Novels
Set in Taiwan
The Boy from Clearwater: Book 2
Set in Korea
The Other Side of Tomorrow
Set in Korea
Your Letter
Set in Japan
Pearl: A Graphic Novel
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NCTA has developed Culture Notes and Curriculum Connections to help you bring these books into your classroom. Visit individual book pages to view. NCTA also has a list of additional titles about East and Southeast Asia. Explore Recommended Books
About the awards
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Submission Guidelines
Honoring East And Southeast Asian Titles for Children and Young Adults
National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA), the Committee on Teaching about Asia (CTA) of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), and Asia for Educators (AFE) at Columbia University sponsor the annual Freeman Book Awards for new young adult and children’s literature. The awards recognize quality books for children and young adults that contribute meaningfully to an understanding of East and Southeast Asia. Awards are given in two categories: Children’s and Young Adult on the several countries of East and Southeast Asia.