Math is more than numbers and equations! The Mathical Book Prize is an annual award for fiction and nonfiction books that inspire children of all ages to see math in the world around them.
Award-winning Mathical titles are selected by a nationwide committee of mathematicians, educators, librarians, early childhood experts, and others. Each year’s selections join a growing list of stories ranging from picture books and graphic novels to chapter books and young adult literature. Explore our collection of stories for ages 2-18, with 94 titles to date.
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The Mathical Book Prize is awarded by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) in cooperation with the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS). The prize is awarded in partnership with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and in coordination with the Children’s Book Council (CBC). Learn more →
2015-2022 Mathical Award Winners
- 1 Smile, 10 Toes (2022)
- Uma Wimple Charts Her House (2022)
- Maryam’s Magic (2022)
- AfterMath (2022)
- Lia & Luís: Who Has More? (2021)
- The Animals Would Not Sleep (2021)
- Seven Golden Rings (2021)
- How We Got to the Moon (2021)
- Grasping Mysteries (2021)
- Pigeon Math (2020)
- Solving for M (2020)
- SLAY (2020)
- Crash! Boom! A Math Tale (2019)
- Nothing Stopped Sophie (2019)
- To the Moon! (2019)
- Baby Goes to Market (2018)
- Sheep Won’t Sleep (2018)
- ONE Very Big Bear (2017)
- Absolutely One Thing (2017)
- Which One Doesn’t Belong? (2017)
- Mind-Boggling Numbers (2017)
- Genius: The Game (2017)
- 8: An Animal Alphabet (2016)
- Max’s Math (2016)
- Secret Coders (2016)
- Have You Seen My Dragon? (2015)
- One Big Pair of Underwear (2015)
- Really Big Numbers (2015)
- Nearly Gone (2015)
Have a favorite mathy book to share with the world? Suggest titles for the Mathical Book Prize!
Mathical titles are promoted nationally among librarians, K-12 teachers, parents, mathematicians, early childhood educators, and science museums, as well as at math events including the National Math Festival. All are welcome to suggest titles for Mathical Honor Book status→
Mathical titles are provided to disadvantaged youth in the San Francisco Bay Area, and are accessible to after-school educators of underserved youth nationally through the First Book network and through our partner organizations.