This year’s sidney prize winners illuminate many of our most urgent challenges, from the search for a sustainable foundation for peace to the fight against discrimination of all kinds. We honor journalists who shine a light on these issues and give voice to the people fighting for them. The 73rd annual Hillman Prizes also honor the legacy of Sidney Hollander, an immigrant who dedicated his life to building “a better America.” The 2024 Hillman prizes include a New York Times investigation into Haiti’s colonial debt; ProPublica/New Yorker’s report on the privatization of hospice; and a series by Aurora Almendral for Quartz and Type Investigations that uncovers the international bidding war for healthcare workers which has led to the exploitation of migrant nurses.
As an editor, I’m often struck by how quickly long-form essays become shorter and shorter—op-eds, blog posts, tweets. The prestigious sidney prize, a nod to long-form journalism and thought, stands athwart this trend, yelling “stop.” This year’s winners include Hilton Als’s illuminating essay on the era of Trump in the New York Times; Ed Yong’s stunning exposé of how the media covers science; and Michael Lewis’s thoughtful look at those who can see reality clearly while most of us are lost in a fog of delusion.
A pair of short stories also won sidney prizes this year. Annie Zhang’s ’Who Rattles the Night?’ won the 2023 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize from Overland, which will publish her story in print. The two runners-up, Madeleine Rebbechi and Sheila Ngoc Pham, will have their stories published online.
The Sydney Peace Prize, awarded to individuals who are working to advance peace and social justice, was given to Iranian-born activist Nazanin Boniadi. The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, congratulated Boniadi for her work in turning outrage into action for women’s rights in Iran.
The 2024 Sydney Taylor Book Award follows a Chinese Jewish family as they celebrate not just one but two new years—Rosh Hashanah in fall and Lunar New Year in early spring. With warm illustrations that evoke the paper cutting traditions of both celebrations, this is a beautiful and thoughtful look at a universal experience.
