Horace Mann Upstanders Book Award

An ‘upstander’ is a person who recognizes injustice and acts in a way to right the wrong. The award honors new children’s literature that best exemplifies the ideals of social action and in turn encourages young readers to become agents of change themselves.



“Being an Upstander is when an individual or a group chooses to take a positive stand and act on behalf of themselves and others. These awards honor literature that encourages readers to take that risk and stand up for something they believe in.”