Today, Monday 3rd November 2025 the nominations have been announced for the 2026 Carnegies, the UK’s longest-running and beloved children’s book awards.

A grand total of 125 books have been nominated for the 2026 Medals. 62 books are in contention for the Carnegie Medal for Writing, which is awarded to a book written in English for children and young people that sparks an outstanding reading experience, and 65 books for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration, which celebrates an outstanding reading experience through illustration. This includes two titles that have received nominations in both Medal categories.

Click below to find the nominated titles across both categories:

Carnegie Medal for Writing Nominated Titles 2026

Carnegie Medal for Illustration Nominated Titles 2026

The Carnegies are organised by CILIP, the UK’s library and information association, and are uniquely judged by librarians. CILIP accepted nominations for the 2026 Carnegies from its members, as well as nine external bodies: BookTrust, CLPE, Commonword, the English and Media Centre, IBBY, National Literacy Trust, RNIB, The Reading Agency, and CILIP’s School Libraries Group. CILIP invited nominations that met the criteria for the Medals and reflected the spirit of the Awards mission: To champion librarians to inspire and empower the next generation to create a better world through books and reading.

What happens next?

Each nominated book is read by all 14 members of the 2026 judging panel, librarians from CILIP’s Youth Libraries Group (YLG) who volunteer their time and expertise. From these nominations, the judges will determine the longlists, shortlists, and ultimately the 2026 Medal winners, based on the official criteria for Writing and Illustration.

The longlists and shortlists will spotlight outstanding books for children and young people across ages and interests, celebrating world-class writing and illustration from both new and established talent.

How to get involved with the 2026 Carnegies

Children and young people will once again take on the role of judges through the Carnegie Shadowing Scheme – a reading-for-pleasure initiative that brings the Carnegie books to life in schools and libraries across the UK and overseas. Shadowing groups read, review and creatively engage with the titles before voting for their favourites, with winners announced at the ceremony in June 2026.

New for the 2026 National Year of Reading, the Carnegies will pilot an age-inclusive longlist shadowing offer, designed to make it easier for reading groups of all ages to take part. For the first time, groups will be able to shadow the longlisted books with age guidance, tailored resources, and flexible ways to build their own book selections, supporting more schools and libraries to get involved. The shortlist shadowing offer will also continue as in previous years for groups who wish to take part.

Shadowing registration for 2026 is now open. Group leaders can sign up now to receive a free publicity pack when the shortlists are announced in March.

While waiting for shadowing to begin, groups can register with Sora, the Carnegie's digital reading partner, to access the 2025 shortlisted books for free, and enjoy free access to the 2026 shortlists once announced.

The 2026 Carnegies promise another exciting year of celebrating outstanding books and the transformative power of reading. It starts with a spark.

Key dates for Carnegies 2026

Tuesday 10th February 2026: Longlists announced

Tuesday 10th March 2026: Shortlists announced (15:45 GMT)

Wednesday 11th March 2026: Shadowing begins

Tuesday 23rd June 2026: Carnegie Medal Winners announced

For further information on the Carnegies 2026 please visit: www.carnegies.co.uk

#Carnegies2026 | @CarnegieMedals