Textbook Awards | McGuffey Longevity Award

McGuffey Award logoThe William Holmes McGuffey Longevity Award ("McGuffey") recognizes textbooks and learning materials whose excellence has been demonstrated over time. To be nominated, a work must have been in print 15 years and still be selling.

The award bears the name of William Holmes McGuffey, whose influential primers, which first appeared in 1836, helped bring the United States out of frontier illiteracy. McGuffey's Eclectic Readers, usually called simply McGuffey's Readers, were in print until 1921.

The longevity in the marketplace is strong testimony to the quality of a title nominated for a McGuffey Longevity Award. Nominations must include a statement from the publisher on why this title is worthy of a McGuffey Longevity Award, affirmation that the title has been on the market for at least 15 years and is still selling, and a electronic copy of the current edition for review by the awards committee.

Works are then judged by the awards committee for their merits in four areas:

  • Pedagogy
  • Content/Scholarship
  • Writing
  • Appearance & Design

Each entry is judged on its own merit in these four areas regardless of other nominations in the same field or category. Self-published books and e-books are welcome.

In our continuing effort to recognize excellence across the entire spectrum of academic authorship, TAA is modifying its Textbook Awards program to provide greater opportunities for nominations made by smaller publishers and individual authors. Starting with the 2025 Textbook Awards cycle, TAA will accept up to five award nominations per nominator to ensure a more equitable consideration process. In making this change, our organization aims to celebrate a wider array of perspectives and innovations among nominated titles by leveling the playing field and amplifying voices that may not always receive the visibility they deserve.

Program Rules

  • Textbooks and learning materials can be nominated by authors or publishers.
  • The awards are open to members and non-members.
  • Nominated works must be in print for 15 years and still be selling.
  • Nominated works must be new or revised editions with a copyright year of 2020 or later.
  • Nominated works must be assigned in courses for K-12 through college/university level classrooms.
  • Each work can only be submitted for one award type each year.
  • The same edition of non-winning works cannot be resubmitted for an award in subsequent years.

Book Formats

Textbooks and learning materials eligible for entry include single works and series.

Entry Process

Nomination fee (nonrefundable): $375 for single books or a two-book series. $700 for a series with three or more books.

Nominees must provide ONE (1) digital copy of the title for review by the Awards Committee. Details on how to access the review copy should be submitted with the nomination form.

If nominating a series, the publisher or author submits a sample of the series. If the work spans two or more grade levels, the sample should include one at a lower level and one at a higher level. Nominations may include a promotional brochure or package for the entire series to help judges understand the scope of the program and components. Nominations are limited to ancillaries that coincide with the grade levels that are submitted. The award is for the entire series.

Please have these items ready before completing the online nomination form:

  • A high-resolution image of the book cover in JPEG, PNG or PDF format.
  • The names, mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of all of the book's authors.
  • If the work has more than six authors, an email containing the full names, mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of additional authors should be sent to [email protected]. Please send the email with the subject of the nominated work and "Authors" (e.g. "Introduction to Human Anatomy - Authors").
  • A statement from the publisher on why this title is worthy of a McGuffey Longevity Award.
  • The original copyright year for the first edition of the title.
  • Instructions and necessary access codes, etc. for ONE (1) copy of the digital version of your nominated title for review by the awards committee.

Evaluation Process

Nominated works are judged in eight discipline categories:

Accounting • Business • Economics
Communication • Performing Arts • Visual Arts
Computer Science • Engineering
Humanities • Education • Social Sciences
Languages • Literature
Life Sciences
Mathematics • Statistics
Physical Sciences

The longevity in the marketplace is strong testimony to the quality of a title nominated for a McGuffey Longevity Award. Nominations must include a statement from the publisher on why this title is worthy of a McGuffey Longevity Award, affirmation that the title has been on the market for at least 15 years and is still selling, and a electronic copy of the current edition for review by the awards committee.

Works are then judged by the awards committee for their merits in four areas:

  • Pedagogy
  • Content/Scholarship
  • Writing
  • Appearance & Design

When Awards Are Presented

Awards will be presented in the spring each year. For books with multiple authors, each author will receive a physical award. For books with multiple contributors, only the editor and/or primary author will receive a physical award.

Spreading The Word About Your Award

TAA issues press releases on the awards to journals and publications and to other media outlets designated by each winner. An article about the awards is also published on TAA's blog, Abstract.

Publishers and authors may cite the McGuffey in promoting winning works. The McGuffey logo can be reproduced by the publisher for use in marketing materials. Click here to purchase textbook award logo stickers.

View the 2025 Textbook Award Winners  | View Past Recipients

Questions? Contact [email protected]