NSTA Reveals 2025 List of the Best STEM Books for K-12 Students

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) today announced its eighth annual list of “Best STEM Books K-12” selected by volunteer educators and assembled in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council (CBC). This list provides recommendations about the best trade books with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) content available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Best STEM Books winning titles explore problems and possible solutions in both the scientific world and, where applicable, in the lives of the protagonists. Instead of focusing on specific content, the Best STEM Books emphasize real-world issues that cross disciplinary boundaries and provoke readers to examine the “thinking stance” of characters—not simply to look at actions and results.

“The 2025 Best STEM Books list showcases an exceptional group of titles that invite young readers to step inside the minds of curious thinkers,” said Bob Lay, Interim CEO of NSTA. “These books help students uncover the reasoning behind problem-solving, strengthening their critical thinking and sparking deeper curiosity—skills that lie at the heart of STEM learning. We are excited to recognize these engaging, insightful books, each uniquely poised to cultivate inquiry and inspire a lasting passion for discovery in students.”

Members of the book review panel, made up of STEM educators and literacy professionals, selected 22 books for the list from a competitive selection of submissions. The panel based their decision on their extensive knowledge and evaluated submissions based on its adherence to how well it modeled innovation, illustrated authentic problems, invited divergent thinking, integrated STEM disciplines, assimilated new ideas, explored multiple solutions, and how accurate the content was in regard to age and audience. The list of winning titles includes topics that range from pyramids to the atomic bomb.

The Best K-12 Books is a joint venture between NSTA and the CBC. This year’s list and past winning lists can be found both on the NSTA website and the CBC website.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators can grow professionally and excel in their careers. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit https://www.nsta.org/, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About Children’s Book Council

The Children’s Book Council (CBC) is the nonprofit trade association for children’s book publishers in North America. The CBC creates educational programming, promotes diversity in employment and in book publishing, compiles curated reading lists and resources for teachers, librarians, and booksellers, and fights against the banning of books. Alongside with the NSTA on both the Outstanding Science Trade Books and Best STEM Books, the CBC further oversees a portfolio of national book award programs including CBC Favorites, Youth Book Prize for Social Justice, Free Speech Award, and more. The CBC also manages the national programs of Every Child a Reader.