School Library Journal (SLJ) and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) are pleased to announce a new round of funding available to libraries in qualifying K–12 schools. 

Now in its second year, the Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards offer grants to Title I schools to purchase literary fiction and nonfiction books that inspire a love of math. The application period opens today.

Presented by MSRI, in partnership with SLJ, the award enables up to 25 libraries in K–12 schools to receive $700 grants to purchase titles from the Mathical Book Prize list. To be eligible, schools must employ a full- or part-time librarian who meets state requirements for school library media certification and is currently employed as a media specialist, teacher librarian, or equivalent position.

The PreK–12 Mathical Book Prize-winning titles include novels, biographies, chapter books, and picture books. They are chosen annually by a committee of math teachers, reading teachers, mathematicians, librarians, and others.

The 2020 Mathical Book Prize-winning titles are: One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller (Peachtree) by Kate Read; Pigeon Math (Innovation Press) by Asia Citro; Solving for M (Crown) by Jennifer Swender; and Slay (S&S) by Brittney Morris.

The Mathical Book Prize is presented by MSRI in partnership with the National Council of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and in coordination with the Children’s Book Council.

The application period for the Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards closes March 19. The awards will be announced in April.

For more information, eligibility criteria, and to apply, go to slj.com/MathicalAwards.