The Jewish Book Council today announced the winners of its 63rd Annual National Jewish Book Awards, including selections in both the Children’s and Young Adult Literature and the Illustrated Children’s Book categories. The program was established to recognize outstanding books of Jewish interest. "It's immensely gratifying to see the significance of this award grow over the years," says Carolyn Starman Hessel, director of the Jewish Book Council. The winners in 17 categories will be honored on March 5, 2014 at a gala awards ceremony at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan. The ceremony is free and open to the public. In the children’s and YA category, the winner is The War within These Walls (Eerdmans) by Aline Sax, illustrated by Caryl Strzelecki and translated by Laura Watkinson. The finalists are Shanghai Escape (Second Story Press) by Kathy Kacer and The Extra (Candlewick) by Kathryn Lasky. In the picture book category, aka the Louis Posner Memorial Award, the winner is Hanukkah Bear (Holiday House) by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Finalists in the picture book category are Creation’s First Light (IBJ) by Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, illustrated by Joanie Rothenberg, and When Sarah Laughed by Allegra Magrisso, illustrated by Beth Shadur.