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.
“We are thrilled to kick off this process for the third consecutive year and look forward to recognizing another author and work that immerses us in Chicago and helps us better understand our city,” said Vince Firpo, Vice President for Public Engagement for the Newberry.
Authors, publishers, or members of the public can nominate a book for the 2024 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 2022 or 2023 to be eligible for the 2024 prize. Nominations close on January 31, 2024.
The first Pattis Chicago Book Award was presented to Dawn Turner in 2022 for her memoir, Three Girls from Bronzeville. Last year’s award recognized Toya Wolfe for the novel Last Summer on State Street.