Associate Professor Sarah Park Dahlen has been selected as one of six jurors for the 2026 Kirkus Prize, given annually in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers' literature. The prize is one of the richest in the literary world, with awards of $50,000 in each category.
Dahlen will serve as a juror for the young readers' literature category. Her research addresses transracially adopted Koreans in youth literature, Asian American youth literature, and diversity in children's literature and library education. Dahlen will be joined in this category by juror Leah Johnson, author of young adult books including You Should See Me in a Crown and Rise to the Sun and children’s books such as Ellie Engle Saves Herself and Bree Boyd Is a Legend.
"It's a tremendous honor to serve as a Kirkus Prize juror, alongside the amazing writer Leah Johnson and Kirkus editors Laura Simeon and Mahnaz Dar," said Dahlen. "I learn so much by serving on award juries, and I look forward to reading and learning on this jury as well."
All books that receive a Kirkus star during the 12-month eligibility period are considered for the prize. Jurors will evaluate eligible titles and select a list of six finalists in each category. In the young readers' literature category, the finalists will include two picture books, two middle-grade books, and two young adult books. Finalists for the 2026 prizes will be announced on August 26, with the winners revealed at a ceremony in New York City on October 7.
Dahlen is co-editor of the open access journal Research on Diversity in Youth Literature, with Sonia Alejandra Rodríguez. She has served on several children’s book award committees, including the National Book Award jury for Young People’s Literature. She is a member of the organizing committee for the University of Illinois Youth Literature Festival and a member of the International Research Society for Children’s Literature board of directors.