Book of the Silenced by Dr. Gordana Smith has been honored as a Finalist in the Multicultural Nonfiction category of the 2026 Best Book Awards, presented by American Book Fest at its 23rd annual awards. The program recognizes mainstream, independent and self-published titles from authors and publishers around the world.
This year’s honorees include titles from Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Hachette, Yale University Press, Oxford University Press and Johns Hopkins University Press, as well as books by Dr. Sanjay Gupta and the White House Historical Association. Standing among them is a meaningful milestone for a story that began as a mother’s fight to be heard.
“All glory to God first,” says Dr. Smith. “Seeing our family’s story recognized on this national stage means the world, and I am deeply grateful to every reader who has carried it forward.”
This finalist honor joins a growing list of recognition for the memoir, including the Florida Authors & Publishers Association President’s Book Awards Gold Medal, the Mom’s Choice Awards Gold, a Silver Medal in the 2026 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards, a Silver Medal in the 2026 Global Ebook Awards, and finalist honors in the Hollywood Book Awards and the National Indie Excellence Awards. The book is also Kirkus Recommended.
Book of the Silenced is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GN7X57H9 and through Barnes & Noble. Signed copies will be available in person at the Florida Writers Book Fair in Historic Downtown Sanford on Saturday, November 14, from 10am to 3pm.
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Book of the Silenced Is a 2026 Best Book Awards Finalist
