The Washington Center for the Book at The Seattle Public Library presents the annual Washington State Book Awards recognizing six books that exemplify the best writing in the state during a given year:

• Fiction

• Poetry

• History/biography

• General nonfiction

As part of the annual Washington State Book Awards, the Scandiuzzi Children’s Book Award honors:

• One picture book for children

• One book for middle grades and young adults (10- to 18-year-old readers)

The purpose of the awards is to honor outstanding books by Washington authors and to bring attention to the quality of writing being produced in Washington. The winners of the Washington State Book Awards will be celebrated at a special event held in their honor in the fall. Each author, as well as the illustrator of the children’s picture book, will receive a $500 honorarium, thanks to the sponsorship of The Seattle Public Library Foundation.