›The Extraordinary Book‹ is an award initiated in 2012 by the Young Program of the international literature festival berlin, which honors remarkable books for children, teenagers or young adults. The jury is composed of the guests of the respective Young Program festival edition, who each nominate one book. The winning books are presented alongside the titles featured in the current Young Program from August 18 to September 26, 2025, at the Philipp-Schaeffer-Bibliothek as well as – for the first time – at the Mark-Twain-Bibliothek and the ZLB (Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek). The books can be borrowed from the libraries after the exhibitions end. From September 11-20, the books will also be shown at Haus der Berliner Festspiele.
These are the Extraordinary Books 2025
NURSERY CRIMES by Arthur Geisert
»With drawings of great finesse and beauty, this funny book is a detective adventure starring cunning pigs in a magical world.«
TANZ ZWISCHEN ZWEI WELTEN by Mariam T. Azimi
»This book moved me deeply because it tells of inner struggles, feelings of guilt, secrets, and the desire for a life of freedom and self-determination – themes that especially resonate with young people navigating between cultures.«
O DUELO by Inês Viegas Oliveira
»What makes ›The Duel‹ truly mesmerising is its artwork. The illustrations are full of bright colors and interesting textures, which make the book feel almost real. ›The Duel‹ is more than just a book—it’s a way of feeling, thinking, and enjoying the beauty of slow pace.«
PERSEPOLIS by Marjane Satrapi
»What happens when your ordinary world is turned upside down by forces you cannot control? A powerful true story that is even now happening all around us.«
FLAME CHASERS by Julie Pike
»A magical journey with expert storytelling and great characters. A tale of friendship, family, and the power of believing in yourself.«
TROLLKARLENS HATT by Tove Jansson
»This book is like a secret passage into the great world of the Moomins, a world that could last for a whole life of reading.«
RONJA RÖVARDOTTER by Astrid Lindgren
»No book has inspired me like this one. The excitement, seriousness, and humor in the story still grips me in a way that makes me want to write, play, climb, and run. Ronja’s joy of nature and outdoor-life is contagious to the reader. It is the perfect book!«
ALLE FARBEN GRAU by Martin Schäuble
»This book moved me deeply because I personally encountered the topic of suicide during my school years. I believe it is very important that both teens and adults are educated about the illness depression and its potentially deadly consequences.«
IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN by Maurice Sendak
»I always loved this book for its surreal illustrations and its depiction of dreams as an important and living part of our minds.«
OOLICHAN MOON by Samantha Beynon (author) and Lucy Trimble (illustrator)
»As an Indigenous youth in the early 1980s, I enjoyed reading—but no one ever looked like me or shared my experiences. Seeing my culture on the page would have made such a positive impact on how I saw myself. Representation matters—when Indigenous youth see themselves in books, it builds strength and pride in their identity.«
AFRICA, AMAZING AFRICA by Atinuke (author) and Mouni Feddag (illustrator)
»A lively and captivating introduction to the African continent for children, filled with fun facts, exciting stories, and wonderful illustrations that vividly showcase the diversity and cultural richness of each country.«
CUENTOS DE LA SELVA by Horacio Quiroga
»Slightly terrifying stories, but tremendously original – stories that spark creativity and highlight the importance of fiction in the act of creation.«
ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine
»A clever and charming retelling of ›Cinderella‹, this story plays with the idea of how a gift can be a curse, learning to find your voice, the power in disobedience, and the joy of found family. It’s chockful of adventure, romance, and wit.«