UKLA Book Award 2026 Shortlists Announced

This year's UKLA Book Award 2026 shortlists are inclusive, accessible and focused on reading for pleasure.

As the National Year of Reading gathers pace there can be no doubt that the shortlists published today, for the only national awards entirely judged by teachers, demonstrate how important it is to them that every child can be hooked into reading. Across the four categories 85 teacher judges have been reading and debating the 20 books longlisted in their category and debating them in their small network groups since September. These impassioned debates continued when all the groups came together in the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, where the eventual winners will be announced at the UKLA International Conference on 3rd July. Almost invariably the deciding factor was finding high-quality children’s books that can reflect all identities, promote diversity and are ones that they can wholeheartedly recommend to every teacher who wants to inspire a passion for reading for pleasure in their school.

For Awards sponsor, Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine and The Reading Journey, “The excellent UKLA Book Award shortlists demonstrate just how carefully the teacher panel considered the longlists. The choice was undoubtedly difficult, but the teacher judges have selected a collection of outstanding titles that will appeal to both children and teachers. In the classroom, these books have the power to transform learning experiences and delight readers. At a time when the narrative of a 'crisis in reading' is at the forefront, it is essential that teachers connect with children and young people's interests and select the very best books to invite them into the reading world. The Reading Journey is proud to sponsor these awards.”

Remarkably it was one particular publisher who seemed to know exactly what inspires passionate readers, with Andersen Press publishing an unprecedented 25% of the shortlisted titles. Publishing Director Charlie Shephard commented ‘In the National Year of Reading and during Andersen Press’s own 50th anniversary celebrations, we are thrilled and honoured to have received such wonderful recognition from the UKLA. That our books are so prized and respected by teachers on the front line of the reading crisis is an acknowledgement we are proud to have earned. We hope our books continue to inspire children and young people and help turn them into readers.’

For UKLA, giving classroom practitioners the opportunity to read high quality new children’s books is as important as finding an overall winner. Research carried out by members of UKLA (Cremin et al 2008) clearly demonstrated the links between teachers’ knowledge of children’s books and the likelihood of pupils reading for pleasure. Despite this evidence, teachers are seldom given time to read new books or the funding to purchase them when they do. Judge Liam Smaje emphasised the importance of a process where ‘the books are in the hands of children’ who can share these ‘ quality books and new authors’ and Emma Jackson praised the valuable experience of sharing discussions ‘with colleagues from a variety of sectors’.

As Chris Lockwood, Awards Chair said, “Despite the difficulties of cancelled trains and inclement weather, our brilliant 2026 teacher judges and their group leaders made their way to the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow for our shortlisting meeting. I am always pleased to meet our teacher judges in person, and this year we were delighted to listen to their thoughtful, insightful and passionate views about the twenty books longlisted in each category. Their selections for the four shortlists reflect their classrooms and the enthusiasms of their students. In these teachers' hands, children continue to love to read.”

UKLA Shortlist 3-6+

A Wild Walk to School. Written and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb

Bothered by Bugs. Written and illustrated by Emily Gravett

Don't Think of Tigers. Written and illustrated by Alex Latimer

Don't Trust Fish. Written by Neil Sharpson and illustrated by Dan Santat

Once I was a Tree. Written by Eoin McLaughlin and illustrated by Guilherme Karsten

The Search for Carmella. Written and illustrated by Chloe Savage

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In the 3-6+ category, interactive and very funny books that really engage the audience, while teaching some valuable lessons are to the fore. The power of imagination to transform the everyday walk to school in Rebecca Cobb’s beautifully illustrated, highly relatable A Wild Walk to School, will spark exciting discussions and creative interaction in the classroom.

In Bothered by Bugs, Emily Gravett’s wonderfully funny rhyming story celebrates the harmony of nature as Pete the Badger and his fellow woodland creatures learn about the important role bugs play in the ecosystem.

The wonderfully playful Don’t Think of Tigers by Alex Latimer with a narrator hilariously bad at drawing tigers, has a powerful message about resilience: you may not get things right first time, but if you keep on practising anything is possible.

Previous category winner Dan Santat partners with Neil Sharpson to produce the hilarious Don’t Trust Fish, where a mysterious narrator gives increasingly absurd reasons for readers not to trust fish until a brilliant twist reveals all. The audience knowing more than the narrator also features in Chloe Savage’s The Search for Carmilla, a wonderful pictorial game of hide and seek that will have children fully engaged and participating.

Finally, we have the witty and educational Once I Was a Tree by Eoin McLaughlin and Guilherme Karsten which explores the life cycle of a tree in a wonderfully inventive and entertaining celebration of nature, connection, stories and transformation.

UKLA Shortlist 7-10+

After. Written by Pádraig Kenny

Birdie. Written by J P Rose

Dragonborn. Written by Struan Murray

Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial. Written by Kieran Larwood and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton

Evie and Maryam's Family Tree. Written by Janeen Hayat

Reek. Written by Alastair Chisholm and illustrated by George Caltsoudas

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In the 7- 10+ category, which spans such a wide range of reading abilities, the judges prioritised great storytelling at either end of the reading spectrum with a wonderful range of genres and text types.

Irish author Pádraig Kenny has secured back-to-back shortlisting in this category with After, a dystopian sci-fi adventure which explores timely themes of technology and AI, encouraging readers to think deeply about what it means to be human.

Reek by Scottish author Alastair Chisholm, is a similarly timely depiction of a dystopian future in a polluted world dominated by greed, which conveys both fear and hope, drawing young readers into a highly accessible story that feels thrilling and frighteningly possible.

Equally attractive to reluctant readers, Keiran Larwood’s Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial has adventure, magic, monsters and a great deal of appeal to gaming fans. In Dragonborn, fellow Scot Struan Murray’s epic and richly imagined journey of self-discovery, with ambitious world-building, razor-sharp wit and compelling characterisation, has created a unique story about this fabled beast.

Two highly empathetic and important stories highlighting the lessons we can learn from the past complete this category. Evie and Maryam's Family Tree by Janeen Hayat is a remarkable debut which tells a beautiful story across two different generations enabling the reader to see both the impact of partition in India and how race and class impact families today. Prejudice and intergenerational understanding also feature in Birdie by J.P.Rose, which is also currently shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing. This stirring and heartfelt story of belonging, friendship and self-discovery confronts racism and alienation and illuminates our need for freedom and yet our yearning for connection in an often hostile world.

UKLA Shortlist 11- 14+

Black Star. Written by Kwame Alexander

The Boy I Love. Written by William Hussey

The Line They Drew Through Us. Written by Hiba Noor Khan

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now. Written by Jason Reynolds

When the Bones Sing. Written by Ginny Myers Sain

Wolf Siren. Written by Beth O'Brien

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The hard-fought 11-14+ category has, once again, three books also currently shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing, with UKLA judges similarly captivated by compelling storytelling and important themes and also features three past UKLA winners. The Boy I Loved by William Hussey is a poignant love story set against the harrowing backdrop of the First World War and asserts the enduring importance of sharing voices that were silenced by those in power.

Wolf Siren by debut author Beth O’Brien masterfully weaves threads of the fairytale classic into in a world which presents a feminist challenge to our interpretation of the environment and the ‘wolves’ in our community.

Jason Reynolds is also a previous winner of this UKLA category and Twenty-Four Seconds from Now is a funny tender and important coming-of-age story about first sexual experiences that cleverly tells its story backwards, exploring consent, respect, intimacy and masculinity.

Another previous UKLA winner, Hiba Noor Khan, achieves back-to-back shortlisting with The Line They Drew Through Us which takes the moment when a nation was determined by the artificial drawing of a line on a map and amplifies the heart-breaking legacy of this reshaping of territory with young protagonists who capture our hearts with their resilience, hope and friendship through adversity.

Past winner Kwame Alexander’s Black Star is the second verse novel in The Door of No Return trilogy. Set in 1920s America it explores the experiences of the next generation’s spirited and baseball-loving Charley as she navigates the challenges of growing up in a post-slavery society still marred by segregation and prejudice. Finally, When the Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain weaves themes of loss, grief, and acceptance of difference into a rich tale of murder set in the wildly atmospheric Ozark hills.

UKLA Shortlist Information Books 3-14+

Choose Your Own Evolution. Written by Jules Howard and illustrated by Gordy Wright

Frog. Written by Isabel Thomas and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus

Graphic Novel Builder: The illustrated guide to making your own comics Written and illustrated by Edward Ross

Me and My Hair. Written by Kimberley Kinloch and illustrated by Jessica Gibson

The Endless Sea. Written by Chi Thai and illustrated by Linh Dao

University of Cambridge: There's No Such Thing as a Silly Question. Written by Mike Rampton and illustrated by Guilherme Karsten

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The Information 3-14+ category showcases innovative informational texts with appeal to and support for the whole age range and which can definitely be read for pleasure. Choose Your Own Evolution by Jules Howard and Gordy Wright, with its playful format, is a clever and accessible presentation of scientifically sound information about the history of life on Earth which inspires curiosity in readers.

The genesis of life on earth is also the topic of the stunningly illustrated Frog by Isabel Thomas and Daniel Egnéus, which answers the profound question “If frogs come from eggs, and eggs come from frogs, where did the first frog come from?”

The importance of curiosity and questioning is likewise celebrated in There Is No Such Thing as a Silly Question by Mike Rampton and Guilherme Karsten. With awe-inspiring, insightful answers, this book reminds us that even the simplest questions can open doors to deeper understanding, wonder, and connection.

Completely different inspiration is provided by Edward Ross with his equally innovative Graphic Novel Builder. With step-by-step tips on storytelling, character design, and panel layout this book invites everyone to learn, create, and connect through the power of graphic novels.

With a powerfully inclusive message Me and My Hair by Kimberley Kinloch and Jessica Gibson beautifully explores the world of hair in all its diversity. The vibrant illustrations and captivating facts make every page a joyful and enriching experience.

Completing this category is The Endless Sea by Chi Thai and Linh Dao which is also currently shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration. Inspired by the author’s lived experience as a refugee from Vietnam, this beautifully illustrated picture book captures the fear, uncertainty and terror of her journey to safety. An important book for our times.

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