NSTA and the Children’s Book Council Announce 2025 List of Top Science Trade Books for K-12 Students

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), in conjunction with the Children’s Book Council (CBC), has released its annual list of “Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12: 2025.” The list represents the best science trade books published in 2024 for kindergarten through 12^th grade students, with criteria including captivating stories, compelling characters, and beautiful illustrations.

“This year’s selection of science trade books includes engaging stories and beautiful illustrations that are bound to spark students’ imaginations and keep the pages turning,” said Erika Shugart, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at NSTA. “These titles are the best of the best—not only for their scientific content but also for their capacity to strengthen literacy skills. We are thrilled to spotlight these books, which combine compelling narratives, accurate science, and stunning visuals to inspire young, curious minds across multiple dimensions of learning.”

A curated group of science educators and literacy professionals made up a book review panel and selected 27 books for the list from a competitive roster of submissions. The list of winning titles includes topics that range from the Golden Gate Bridge to the history of rubber to animal migration.

The top books went through a rigorous review and the panel followed strict guidelines for selection. Criteria include the amount of science content; presentation of material in a clear, accurate, and up-to-date manner; avoidance of over-simplification; the use of data to support generalizations; and freedom from gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic bias. Titles are grouped by category, including Archaeology, Anthropology, and Paleontology; Biography; Earth and Space Science; Environment and Ecology; Life Science; Physical Science; and Technology and Engineering.

NSTA and CBC have collaborated on the list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students since 1973 in an effort to help science educators and family members access quality books that support learning in science. This year’s list and past winning lists can be found both on the NSTA website and the CBC website.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their careers. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.nsta.org or follow NSTA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About Children’s Book Council

The Children’s Book Council (CBC) is the nonprofit trade association of children’s book publishers in North America, dedicated to supporting industry causes, professional development, and the work of teachers, librarians, booksellers, authors and illustrators everywhere.

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Check out the 2025 list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for K-12 students from @NSTA and @CBCBook! #STEM #STEMBooks #Science #Education #Literacy