The Newberry Library and The Pattis Family Foundation are now accepting nominations for The Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award. The award, which was inaugurated in July of 2022, celebrates published works that transform public understanding of Chicago, its history, and its people.
“The Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Chicago and the writers who help us better understand our city, its history, and its people. We are excited to begin the work of selecting the next recipient of the award and look forward to seeing the many worthy titles that will be nominated,” said Vince Firpo, Vice President for Public Engagement for the Newberry
Authors, publishers, or members of the public can nominate a book for the 2025 award through a form on the Newberry’s website. The review panel considers work by writers working in a variety of genres, including history, biography, social sciences, poetry, drama, graphic novels, and fiction. Titles must be available for purchase by the public in either hardcover or bound paperback form and must bear a copyright of 2023 or 2024 to be eligible for the 2025 prize. Nominations close on January 31, 2025.
The first Pattis Chicago Book Award was presented to Dawn Turner in 2022 for her memoir, Three Girls from Bronzeville. The 2023 award recognized Toya Wolfe for the novel Last Summer on State Street, and the 2024 award honored Thomas Leslie for Chicago Skyscrapers 1934-1986: How Technology, Politics, Finance, & Race Reshaped the City.
The 2025 Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award will be presented at a free public event in September 2025.
Nominate a Book