The National Book Award is an annual set of American literary awards presented by the National Book Foundation. Established in 1950, the awards recognize outstanding literary work in various categories, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people's literature. Winners are selected by panels of judges and are announced in November each year. The awards aim to celebrate the best in American literature and to promote reading and writing across the country. The National Book Award has honored many notable authors, contributing to their recognition and success in the literary world.