Which prize did J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone win in 1997?

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize in 1997.

The award was a major early sign that the novel had connected strongly with young readers. It won the prize in the 9–11 years category, placing Rowling’s debut among the most celebrated children’s books of that year.

The Nestlé Smarties Book Prize was a British children’s literary award based substantially on votes from young readers. Its recognition helped build momentum for the Harry Potter series in the United Kingdom soon after Bloomsbury published the first book.

The prize is sometimes confused with other British children’s awards, including the Carnegie Medal. The Carnegie Medal is a separate honor administered by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, while the Smarties prize specifically became associated with readers’ enthusiasm for Rowling’s early novels.