The National Book Awards are prestigious literary prizes presented annually in the United States. Established in 1950, these awards recognize outstanding works in various categories, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people's literature. The awards aim to celebrate the best in American literature and promote reading and writing. Winners are selected by a panel of judges, which includes authors, critics, and literary scholars. The awards ceremony typically takes place in November, and the winners receive a medal and a cash prize. The National Book Foundation oversees the awards, highlighting the importance of literature in American culture.