Kirkus Reviews Reveals 2025 Kirkus Prize Winners
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/the-slip-by-lucas-schaefer-everybelly-by-thao-lam-king-of-kings-scott-anderson-100825-1-28c7ce4a939b473784713929b7d9258f.jpg)
Kirkus Reviews recently unveiled the recipients of the 2025 Kirkus Prize, celebrating outstanding works in fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature. Each winner was awarded a generous $50,000 prize, bringing the total prize money to $150,000 across the three genres.
The prestigious Kirkus Prize is a highly anticipated event in the literary world, showcasing exceptional talent and creativity in the field of writing. This year’s winners were honoured during a ceremony held in New York City on October 8th.
The Kirkus Prize recognises excellence in various categories, with winners not only receiving a substantial cash award but also a bespoke trophy designed by Vezzini & Chen. The highly coveted prize aims to spotlight the most remarkable releases in fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature.
In the fiction category, the Kirkus Prize was awarded to ‘The Slip’ by Lucas Schaefer. The novel delves into the disappearance of Nathaniel Rothstein in 1998, exploring themes of race, class, and gender through a diverse cast of characters and events.
Meanwhile, Scott Anderson’s ‘King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation’ clinched the Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction. This insightful work examines the events leading to the overthrow of a dictator and the subsequent rise of another authoritarian figure.
Thao Lam’s ‘Everybelly’ emerged as the winner of the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature. Described as a heartwarming tale set around a visit to a swimming pool, the book offers a touching narrative of community and inclusivity from a child’s perspective.
To be eligible for the Kirkus Prize, books must have received a Kirkus-starred review and been published between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025. With a vast pool of entries this year, judges meticulously evaluated 383 works in fiction, 290 in nonfiction, and 497 in young readers’ literature before selecting the deserving winners.
The announcement of the Kirkus Prize winners has been met with widespread acclaim, with editor-in-chief Tom Beer expressing pride in the impactful messages conveyed by this year’s honoured authors. The winning works not only entertain but also enlighten readers on crucial issues of our time.
In addition to the winners, the finalists in each category also garnered attention for their exceptional contributions to the literary landscape. The Kirkus Prize serves as a significant platform for celebrating literary brilliance and promoting a love for reading across diverse genres and age groups.
The annual Kirkus Prize ceremony is a momentous occasion that highlights the transformative power of storytelling and the enduring impact of literature on society. As we celebrate the achievements of this year’s winners, we look forward to the continued innovation and creativity that the world of books has to offer.
In conclusion, the 2025 Kirkus Prize winners have set a high standard for literary excellence, inspiring future generations of writers and readers alike. Their compelling narratives and insightful perspectives exemplify the profound influence of literature in shaping our understanding of the world around us.