The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) today announced its eighth annual list of “Best STEM Books K-12” selected by volunteer educators and assembled in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council (CBC). This list provides recommendations about the best trade books with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) content available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Best STEM Books winning titles explore problems and possible solutions in both the scientific world and, where applicable, in the lives of the protagonists. Instead of focusing on specific content, the Best STEM Books emphasize real-world issues that cross disciplinary boundaries and provoke readers to examine the “thinking stance” of characters—not simply to look at actions and results.

“The 2025 Best STEM Books list showcases an inspiring collection of titles that will engage, entertain, and motivate young readers,” said Erika Shugart, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at NSTA. “These books encourage students to explore the 'why' behind the world around them, sparking curiosity and fostering critical thinking—essential skills in STEM. We are proud to highlight these thought-provoking books, which are perfectly designed to promote inquiry and cultivate a lifelong love of reading and passion for learning."

Members of the book review panel, made up of STEM educators and literacy professionals, selected 27 books for the list from a competitive selection of submissions. The panel based their decision on their extensive knowledge and evaluated submissions based on its adherence to how well it modeled innovation, illustrated authentic problems, invited divergent thinking, integrated STEM disciplines, assimilated new ideas, explored multiple solutions, and how accurate the content was in regard to age and audience. The list of winning titles includes topics that range from gumbo to windmills to code ciphers.

The Best K-12 Books is a joint venture between NSTA and the CBC. This year’s list and past winning lists can be found both on the NSTA website and the CBC website.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their careers. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.nsta.org or follow NSTA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About Children’s Book Council

The Children’s Book Council (CBC) is the nonprofit trade association of children’s book publishers in North America, dedicated to supporting industry causes, professional development, and the work of teachers, librarians, booksellers, authors, and illustrators everywhere.

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@NSTA and @CBCBook announce the 2025 Best STEM Books for K-12 students list. This list provides recommendations about the best trade books with STEM content available for K-12 students. #STEM #Education #Literacy #Science #Educator #STEMEd #teaching