The Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards, or the NEMBA Awards, are awards presented annually for books that "substantially represent northeastern
Minnesota in the areas of history, culture, heritage, or lifestyle."
The awards, originally established in 1988, are organized by the
University of Minnesota, Duluth Library, with assistance from the Friends of the
Duluth Public Library and Lake Superior Writers. To be eligible for an award, books must be about the region (defined as a nine-county area) but need not be written by local authors. Prizes are currently awarded in six categories: General Nonfiction, Fiction, Art & Photography, Children's Literature, Poetry, and Memoir and Creative Nonfiction.
General Nonfiction: Paddle North: Canoeing the Boundary Waters–Quetico Wilderness written by Greg Breining, photography by Layne Kennedy
Children's Literature: Minnesota's Hidden Alphabet written by David LaRochelle, photography by Joe Rossi
Memoir and Creative Nonfiction: Brown Sugar Syrup and Jack Pine Sand written by Dennis Herschbach
2011
Fiction: Dead Ahead: A Jo Spence Mystery written by Jen Wright
Poetry: Tumbled Dry by Charmaine Donovan
General Nonfiction: Ancient Earth and the First Ancestors: A Cultural and Geological Journey written by Ron Morton and Carl Gawboy, illustrated by Carl Gawboy
Children's Literature: Unforgettable written by Loretta Ellsworth
Art, Photography: Voyageur Skies: Weather and the Wilderness in Minnesota's National Park, photography by Don Breneman, weather commentary by Mark Seeley
Memoir and Creative Nonfiction: Shelter written by
Sarah Stonich
2012
Fiction: The Lighthouse Road written by Peter Geye
Poetry: The First Day of Spring in Northern Minnesota by Jim Johnson
General Nonfiction: Hawk Ridge: Minnesota's Birds of Prey written by Laura Erickson, illustrated by Betsy Bowen
Children's Literature: Summer of the Wolves written by Polly Carlson-Voiles
Art, Photography: Another Year on the Gunflint Trail by Nace Hagemann
Memoir and Creative Nonfiction: My Mother Is Now Earth written by Mark Anthony Rolo
Poetry: Approaching the Gate, by Lynette Reini-Grandell
General Nonfiction: Twin Ports by Trolley: The Streetcar Era in Duluth-Superior, written by Aaron Isaacs
Children's Literature: Rhoda's Rock Hunt, written by Molly Beth Griffin, illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell
Memoir and Creative Nonfiction: Rooted in Iron and Ice: Innocent Years on the Mesabi, written by Gary W. Barfknecht
Art, Photography: Saved by Beauty: Sister Mary Charles McGough, OSB, written by John Schifsky, Sister Lois Eckes, Peter Spooner, Dustin Lyon and Meridith Schifsky
2015
Fiction: Once Were Mountains written by Victoria Richards
Nonfiction: What Should A Clever Moose Eat? Natural History, Ecology, and the North Woods written by John Pastor
Children's Literature: One North Star: A Counting Book written by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Betsy Bowen and Beckie Prange
Memoir: Homemade: Finnish Rye, Feed Sack Fashion, and Other Simple Ingredients from My Life in Food written by
Beatrice Ojakangas
Art, Photography: Glensheen: The Official Guide to Duluth's Historic Congdon Estate by Tony Dierckins, photography by Dennis O'Hara
Other Minnesota literary awards
Since 1988, the
Minnesota Fantasy Award has been presented annually to a person or persons with ties to Minnesota in recognition of their contributions to the fields of fantasy, science fiction and horror.
Also, since 1988, the
Minnesota Book Awards are presented annually for books created by writers, illustrators or book artists who are Minnesotans.