UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Libraries and Pennsylvania Center for the Book have announced the 2026 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, presented annually to an American poet or anthologist for the most outstanding new book of poetry for children published in the previous calendar year. This year’s winner is “The Poet and the Bees: A Story of the Seasons Sylvia Plath Kept Bees,” written by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Jessica Love and published by Viking Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House.
One judge wrote of "The Poet and the Bees" by Novesky, “Every page of this book is a master class in taking an ordinary activity — beekeeping — and, by infusing the text with emotion and poetic language, making it extraordinary.” Another judge wrote, “The language in the book is almost musical, satisfying and rich when read aloud. The author pays deep respect to Sylvia Plath, with realistic snapshots of her hardships and triumphs, showing more to the story of a life that is often defined by its tragic ending. The attention to minute details makes this feel like a direct nod to Plath's style of writing, and adds a brilliant, caring touch. The ending is hopeful without being saccharine, a careful finish to an admiring love letter.”
The author will each be awarded a $1,000 prize, courtesy of Lee Bennett Hopkins’ estate, and an engraved commemorative.
Additionally, judges named one honor book: “All the Blues in the Sky,” written by Renée Watson, published by Bloomsbury Publishing.
Of "All the Blues in the Sky," one judge wrote “This book is a raw and honest look at grief, but still manages to be warm and inviting. The writing is poetic and beautiful but unembellished, which makes for a smooth read. The author tackles this difficult subject manner with grace and doesn't tiptoe around the reality of death. A deep read, emotionally mature and respectful of the reader, with moments of joy and heartbreak. And truly, beautifully written.”
The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award was named for the late internationally renowned educator, poet, anthologist and passionate advocate of poetry for young people. Established in 1993, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award was the first of its kind in the United States. The Pennsylvania Center for the Book and Penn State University Libraries share joint administration of the annual award, and its winning titles are selected by a panel of authors, librarians, teachers and scholars.
The 2026 judges for the Lee Bennett Hopkins Award are Camille-Yvette Welsch, teaching professor of English, Penn State University Park (chair); Suzanne Chapman, clinical assistant professor, School of Teaching and Learning, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Cynthia Cotten, author, Lockport, New York; Amanda Henke, author, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Deborah Taylor, librarian (retired), Baltimore, Maryland.
The Pennsylvania Center for the Book, an affiliate of the national Center for the Book established in 1977 at the Library of Congress, encourages the commonwealth's citizens and residents to study, honor, celebrate and promote books, reading, libraries and literacy. In addition to the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, it administers "A Baker’s Dozen: The Thirteen Best Children’s Books for Family Literacy," the Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize, and the interactive Literary & Cultural Heritage Map of Pennsylvania.
For more information about the Lee Bennett Hopkins Award, contact Ellysa Cahoy, director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, at ellysa@psu.edu or visit the Pennsylvania Center for the Book website.