Which Harry Potter book by J.K. Rowling won the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award?

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban won the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.

The third Harry Potter novel received the award in 1999, giving Rowling an important literary honor as the series continued to expand. The book follows Harry’s third year at Hogwarts and introduces Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and the Dementors in major roles.

The award is sometimes confused with later Harry Potter prizes because several books in the series won or were shortlisted for major children’s-literature honors. The 1999 Whitbread recognition specifically belongs to The Prisoner of Azkaban.

The Whitbread Book Awards were later renamed the Costa Book Awards. Rowling’s win occurred during the period when the original Whitbread name was still in use, so modern references may describe the same award under its later title.