NEW YORK — A celebration of literature and scientific exploration took place as prizes were awarded to books that deftly intertwine art and science, focusing on themes such as family dealings with nature, the trials of parenthood amid climate change, and the unique ways animals experience the world around them.
Announced by the National Book Foundation alongside the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the fourth annual Science + Literature awards recognized works that have made significant contributions to these critical conversations.
Among the distinguished winners is Ramona Ausbel’s “The Last Animal,” a novel that follows teenage sisters and their mother as they embark on scientific journeys. Other honorees include Claire Wahmanholm’s “Meltwater,” a poignant poetry collection exploring the anxieties of parenting in an era threatened by environmental crises, and Ed Yong’s nonfiction work “An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us,” which delves into animals’ perceptions of the environment.
Ruth Dickey, executive director of the National Book Foundation, expressed pride in the program’s success, stating, “The Science + Literature program, now in its fourth year, highlights diverse voices in scientific writing and honors innovative works that expand our understanding of science, technology, and our universe.”
Doron Weber, vice president and program director at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, joined in the celebration, emphasizing the importance of the awarded works: “We are delighted to join the National Book Foundation in recognizing these three powerful and unique writers engaging with scientific themes and characters across poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. These gifted storytellers shine a scientific and poetic light on the beauties and terrors of nature and what they reveal to us about our deepest selves and our existence on this planet.”
The National Book Foundation is renowned for its National Book Awards and various literary initiatives. The Sloan Foundation, on its part, has a rich tradition of championing books related to science, including major works like “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, which garnered a Pulitzer Prize and inspired the Oscar-winning film “Oppenheimer,” as well as Margot Lee Shetterly’s “Hidden Figures,” which was adapted into a highly regarded movie.
Previous recipients of the Science + Literature Award have featured notable titles such as Brandon Taylor’s “Real Life” and Linda Hogan’s “The Radiant Life of Animals.”
