The South Asia Book Award is delighted to announce our honors list for 2026! We received more than 100 submissions this year. Congratulations to all the amazing authors and illustrators listed below!

Award Winners

Midnight Motorbike Written by Maureen Shay Tajsar, Illustrated by Ishita Jain
Neal Porter Books/Holiday House

Join a young girl and her Amma on a magical moonlit motorbike ride through the villages, roads, and landscapes of South India on a night too warm for sleep. Through richly sensory storytelling, Tajsar invites readers to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the night as mother and daughter travel together beneath a luminous sky, discovering wonder in the ordinary and comfort in each other’s company. Jain’s dreamlike, jewel-toned illustrations bring depth, movement, and warmth to the journey, immersing readers in a vibrant nocturnal world. Together, the lyrical text and evocative artwork create an engaging work of narrative nonfiction-inspired fiction that celebrates family bonds, cultural memory, and a child’s sense of curiosity and belonging. Without ever losing its gentle intimacy, the story encourages readers to slow down, observe the world around them, and appreciate the enduring connection between loved ones, place, and tradition.

The Freedom Seeker Written by Ruchira Gupta

Scholastic Press

The story of Simi begins in the northwest Punjab region of India and ends in the Bronx neighborhood of New York. Her story takes the reader through the emotions of an international immigrant. Simi’s experience of migrating to the US via Mexico sheds light on the challenge immigrants face, and highlights the fact that many immigrants do not actually want to leave their homes. Often, external dangers force them to leave their home countries. Many immigrants enter the US through Mexico, but there are few stories about those migrants who are not from Mexico or Latin American. Simi and her family face discrimination and challenges that are prevalent in news headlines today. Young readers will fall in love with Simi. The Freedom Seeker takes us through a strongly charged political issue through the eyes of a young girl who is trying to understand all that is happening around her. 

Fitting Indian: A Graphic Novel Written by Jyoti Chand, Illustrated by Tara Anand
HarperAlley

Join Nitasha, a South Asian American teenager, as she navigates the complex expectations of family, friendship, identity, and belonging while trying to find her place in both her community and the wider world. Set against the backdrop of high school and a traditional Indian family, the story explores the pressures many young people face as they balance cultural expectations with their own hopes, struggles, and sense of self. Chand’s candid, emotionally resonant storytelling creates an authentic portrait of adolescence, while Anand’s expressive artwork and dynamic use of color capture both the everyday realities and emotional nuances of Nitasha’s journey, bringing depth and immediacy to the story. Together, the text and illustrations create a compelling contemporary graphic novel that sheds light on mental health, self-acceptance, and the importance of supportive communities. Without revealing the outcome of Nitasha’s struggles, Fitting Indian encourages readers to reflect on the challenges of growing up between cultures and the value of empathy, connection, and honest conversations.

Honor Books

Living Bridges: The Hidden World of India’s Woven Trees Written by Sandhya Acharya, Illustrated by Avani Dwivedi

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Join a young narrator and mentor as they take a wonder-filled walk across a living bridge in the mountainous state of Meghalaya in northeastern India. The Living Root Bridges, Jinkieng Jri, represent a centuries-old natural engineering marvel that is alive, strong, musical, enduring, and worthy of attention and care in the 21^st century. Acharya’s lyrical STEM-focused story and informative back matter, and Diwali’s vibrant illustrations create an engaging work of informational fiction. Together, they inspire readers to appreciate an enduring and sustainable engineering solution that connects communities and supports the livelihoods of villages in steep, seasonally impassable terrain.

Zarina Divided Written by Reem Faruqi

Harper Collins Children

A much needed book focusing on the Partition of India into India and Pakistan. Reem Faruqi’s story in verse is inspired by her grandmother’s life.  Zarina, an 11 year-old girl living in Poona in 1947, experiences the heartbreak of having to leave her home and her friends after the Partition because her family is Muslim. She experiences the division of religion and comes to an understanding about the British rule on India-as well as the effects of colonization on the newly established countries. Zarina tells the story of her family’s perilous travels to Karachi, Pakistan and ends with her studying at a boarding school in Murree, Pakistan. Zarina’s story emphasizes the struggle for a young South Asian woman to make decisions that may contradict cultural expectations-through a historically significant lens.

Home Has No Borders: A Collection of South Asian Stories Edited by Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipotra
HarperCollins

Journey across a rich tapestry of contemporary stories that explore the many meanings of home for South Asian teens living across the diaspora. Through a diverse collection of voices, characters, and experiences, readers encounter moments of joy, uncertainty, connection, and self-discovery as young people navigate family relationships, friendships, first loves, cultural traditions, and questions of identity. The stories examine how race, class, language, community, and heritage shape individual lives while highlighting the shared search for belonging and understanding. Edited by Ahmed and Charaipotra and featuring contributions from acclaimed South Asian authors, this compelling anthology offers a vibrant range of perspectives and experiences. Together, the stories celebrate the diversity, resilience, and creativity of South Asian communities, inviting readers to reflect on home not only as a place, but also as a feeling, a connection, and an evolving sense of self.

Highly Commended Titles

Music of the Mountains Written by Sabrina Shah, Illustrated by Manal Mirza
Barefoot Books

Join Roohi, a young girl in a contemporary Pashtun village in rural Pakistan, as she discovers the power of music, family, and cultural tradition through her love of the rabab, a beloved stringed instrument of the Pashtun people. Surrounded by the beauty of mountain landscapes and the rhythms of daily life, Roohi learns that music can connect generations, preserve stories, and express the spirit of a community. Shah’s lyrical storytelling and informative back matter introduce readers to Pakistani music, Pashtun culture, and Eid celebrations, while Mirza’s richly detailed illustrations bring warmth, movement, and cultural authenticity to every page. Together, the text and artwork create an engaging work of contemporary fiction that celebrates perseverance, intergenerational bonds, and the enduring role of artistic traditions in shaping identity and belonging.

The Camel Library: A True Story from Pakistan Written by Marzieh Abbas, Illustrated by Anain Shaikh
Feiwel & Friends

Join Roshan, a hardworking camel, and his human companion, Murad, as they embark on an unexpected journey that brings books to children in rural Pakistan. Inspired by the true story of Pakistan’s first camel library, this heartwarming tale introduces readers to an innovative community effort that expanded access to reading and learning during a time of unprecedented challenges. Through Roshan’s perspective, Abbas highlights the power of literacy, creativity, and service in connecting people across distances and circumstances. Abbas’s engaging storytelling and informative back matter, paired with Shaikh’s warm, expressive illustrations, create an inviting work of narrative nonfiction that celebrates resilience, community collaboration, and the transformative impact of books. Shaikh’s artwork vividly captures the landscapes of rural Pakistan and the joy that reading can inspire, bringing depth and humanity to this remarkable true story. Together, the text and illustrations encourage readers to appreciate the many ways knowledge, hope, and opportunity can travel from one community to another.

The First Girl on Stage: Tunga Dances the Yakshagana Written by Shruthi Rao, Illustrated by Devika Joglekar
Yali Books / Sambasivan & Parikh

Join Tunga, a young girl in South India, as she pursues her dream of learning yakshagana, a vibrant traditional performance art that combines music, dance, storytelling, elaborate costumes, and dramatic expression. Inspired by the energy and beauty of the art form, Tunga discovers the dedication, courage, and perseverance required to master an enduring cultural tradition that has entertained and connected communities for generations. Rao’s lyrical storytelling and informative back matter introduce readers to the rich history and significance of yakshagana, while Joglekar’s vivid illustrations capture the movement, color, and spectacle of the performances with warmth and authenticity. Her dynamic artwork brings the costumes, landscapes, and emotions of the story to life, immersing readers in this celebrated South Indian cultural tradition. Together, the text and illustrations create an engaging work of historical fiction inspired by real pioneers, celebrating artistic expression, determination, and the power of cultural traditions to evolve over time. Without revealing the outcome of Tunga’s journey, the book encourages readers to appreciate the individuals who have expanded opportunities within the arts while preserving and enriching a treasured form of storytelling.

The Mithai Box is Not Empty Written by Namrata Agarwal, Illustrated by Parvati Pillai

Holiday House Press

Mithai is well known in South Asian families. Similar to a box of chocolates, it can be gifted during a celebration or given as an expression of love or appreciation. In The Mithai Box is Not Empty, we see how Ria hosts a chai party to welcome her grandparents, and finds it difficult (with her faithful and hungry dog, Cheetah) to resist the mithai box. As often happens when grandparents come to visit, Ria’s grandparents have a story and a surprise for her. With beautiful and engaging illustrations, Ria’s grandparents  provide a rich narrative about mithai, generosity, and the connection among culture, religion, and Ria’s chai party. 

The Strongest Heart Written by Saadia Faruqi
Quill Tree Books / HarperCollins

Join Mo, a Pakistani American boy, as he navigates family, faith, friendship, and belonging while confronting challenges that many young people experience but are seldom discussed openly. Moving to a new home and community in Texas, Mo must make sense of changing relationships, cultural expectations, and the complexities of living with a parent who struggles with mental illness. Along the way, he finds comfort in family stories, community connections, and the possibility of seeing himself and those around him in new ways. Faruqi’s compassionate and emotionally resonant storytelling explores the impact of mental health challenges on families while centering themes of resilience, empathy, and hope. Drawing on Pakistani American culture, Muslim community life, and the enduring power of storytelling, the novel offers readers an authentic and nuanced perspective on identity, belonging, and personal growth. Together, these elements create a powerful contemporary middle grade novel that encourages readers to deepen their understanding of mental health, recognize the strength found in supportive relationships, and appreciate the ways family, culture, and community can help individuals navigate life’s most difficult moments. Without revealing the outcome of Mo’s journey, The Strongest Heart invites readers to reflect on courage, compassion, and what it means to build a hopeful future. 

Arabic Folktales for Children: Timeless Stories to Share in English and Arabic Retold by Hadil Ghoneim, Illustrated by Ayah Khamis
Tuttle Publishing

Journey across the Arabic-speaking world through a collection of timeless folktales rich in humor, wisdom, friendship, and gentle life lessons. Drawing from both oral and written storytelling traditions, Ghoneim retells eight beloved tales that introduce readers to memorable characters, enduring values, and the cultural heritage of diverse Arab communities. Presented in parallel English and Arabic text, the collection creates opportunities for language learning, cross-cultural exploration, and shared family reading experiences. Ghoneim’s engaging retellings preserve the warmth and charm of traditional storytelling while making the tales accessible to contemporary young readers. Khamis’s expressive illustrations, vibrant color palettes, and carefully rendered cultural details bring each story to life, immersing readers in the landscapes, architecture, and imaginative worlds of the tales. Together, the stories and artwork create an inviting anthology that celebrates the power of folklore to connect generations, preserve cultural traditions, and foster understanding across languages and communities. Enhanced by bilingual text and accompanying audio resources, the collection encourages readers to appreciate the enduring role of storytelling as a bridge between cultures, histories, and shared human experiences. 

Tall Water: A Graphic Novel  Written by S.J. Sindu Illustrated by Dion MBD
HarperAlley

Join Nimmi, a Sri Lankan American teenager, as she travels to Sri Lanka in search of family, answers, and a deeper understanding of her own identity. Set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict and the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the story follows a young woman who must navigate questions of belonging, migration, memory, and connection while encountering the people, places, and histories that have shaped her family’s story. Sindu’s emotionally rich storytelling weaves together themes of family, displacement, resilience, and self-discovery, offering readers insight into a pivotal moment in Sri Lankan history and its impact on individuals and communities. Dion MBD’s expressive illustrations capture both the beauty of Sri Lanka and the emotional complexity of Nimmi’s journey, using fluid artwork and evocative visual storytelling to bring the landscape, relationships, and historical setting vividly to life. Together, the narrative and illustrations create a compelling historical graphic novel that explores the enduring ties between homeland and diaspora, the effects of conflict and natural disaster, and the universal search for identity and belonging. Without revealing the outcome of Nimmi’s journey, Tall Water encourages readers to reflect on the power of family stories, cultural heritage, and personal courage in shaping how we understand ourselves and the world around us.

Contact SABA Award Administrators to learn more, schedule an author visit or event, recommend new titles, or inquire about the committee – saba@southasia.wisc.edu.

South Asia Book Award
Center for South Asia, 203 Ingraham Hall
Madison, WI 53706 – (608) 890-2847
southasiabookaward.wisc.edu