Which J.K. Rowling novel won the 1997 Smarties Book Prize?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone won the 1997 Smarties Book Prize.

The prize was the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, a UK children’s literature award judged in age categories. Rowling’s debut Harry Potter novel won the prize in the 9-to-11-years category, helping establish the book among young readers soon after its 1997 publication.

The award was one of several early honors for the novel. It was also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and won the British Book Award for Children’s Book of the Year in 1997. These recognitions helped the book gain momentum before the series became a global publishing phenomenon.

The award should not be confused with the later Smarties wins for other Harry Potter books. The Chamber of Secrets won the 1998 prize, while the Prisoner of Azkaban won in 1999. The year and title together identify Rowling’s first Smarties winner.