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Books Honored by the National Book Foundation

The mission of the National Book Foundation is to celebrate the best of American literature, to expand its audience, and to enhance the cultural value of great writing in America. National Book Awards are given five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature.

Here we highlight the winners of African descent. The first African-American writer to win a National Book Award was Ralph Ellison, in 1953, for Invisible Man.

Check Out AALBC’s Coverage of the National Book Awards:  2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 – 2013

Select Year202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911989198719831982198019791976197519741973197219691964196219571953

One Book Honored by the National Book Foundation in 1976

Finalist - Poetry