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Longlists for the 2027 UKLA Book Awards announced

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The longlists for the UKLA Book Awards, the only national awards judged by teachers, have been announced. Tailored to be useful for teachers in schools across the UK, there are three age categories for fiction and poetry and a category for Information books. This year’s longlists feature books in translation, past winners, exciting debuts and cover a huge range of genres, topics and themes.

Awards sponsor, Nikki Gamble of The Reading Journey, says, ‘The UKLA Book Awards are significant not only for the recognition and celebration of high-quality literature for children, but also for the underpinning principle that teachers’ knowledge of children’s books is fundamental to creating readers in classrooms. At a time when there is much talk about a crisis in reading for pleasure, we should pause to reflect on the teachers who are helping to buck this trend and how they achieve positive outcomes.’

Judge, teacher Kerry Hudson, says, ‘ Longlisting is a highlight of my teaching calendar. I get to immerse myself in wonderful children’s literature, in all its richness and diversity. It provides the opportunity to discuss with colleagues, challenge opinions and think of how the texts could be used in the classroom. I always end the process with a renewed excitement for the forthcoming school year, full of books to share with colleagues and my children alike, and characters and storylines that stay with me long after they have been read.’

Book Awards Longlist 2027 – 3-6

Longlist 3-6+

Aya Has Never Seen a Bear by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane, translated by Paul Qiao and Helen Mixter, illustrated by Jiu’er (Greystone Kids)

Bear’s Nap by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots)

Broken by X.Fang (Pushkin Press)

Cranky, Crabby Crow ( Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor(Greenwillow Books)

Ellie Has a Secret by Amelia Bothe (Clarion Books)

Five Little Friends by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock (Walker Books)

George and Lenny Are Always Together by Jon Agee (Scallywag Press)

If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Emily Hughes (Clarion Books)

King School by Alexis Deacon (Otter-Barry  Books)

Monkeypig by Huw Aaron (Puffin)

Mo’s Stick by Fiona Lumbers (Little Tiger Press)

Oh Dear, Look What I Got by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (Walker Books)

Once Upon a Time in the Woods by Anthony Browne (Puffin)

Raindrops by Robin Boyden (Farshore)

The Lost Robot by Joe Todd-Stanton (Flying Eye Books)

The Sleeper Train by Mick Jackson, illustrated by Baljinder Kaur (Walker Books)

The Tour at School by Katie Clapham, illustrated by Nadia Shireen (Walker Books)

To Activate Space Portal Lift Here by Antoinette Portis (Scallywag Press)

Unexpected Guests by Mariajo Ilustrajo (Frances Lincoln Childrens Books)

When Tad Kicked Vlad by Julian Gogh and illustrated by Ross Collins (Faber)

Book Awards Longlist 2027 – 7-10

Longlist 7-10+

Birdlands by Anthony McGowan (Rock the Boat)

Boy Vs Reality by James Fox (Scholastic)

Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbell (DK Flip)

Everything In Between Shagufta K.Iqbal (Troika Books)

Gloam by Jack Mackay, illustrated by Ben Joel Price (Rock the Boat)

I Am Ray’s Imaginary Friend by Brian Moses, illustrated by Bethan Welby (Scallywag Press)

Korobá The Case of the Missing Kolo by Àlàbá Ònájìn (Scallywag Press)

Letters From the Upside by Katya Balen (Bloomsbury)

Minotaur Boy by Shane Hegarty and illustrated by Ruby Fresson (DK Flip)

Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan (Piccadilly Press)

Runaways by E.L.Norry (Bloomsbury)

Small Wonder by Ross Montgomery (Walker Books)

The Blitz Sisters by Judith Eagle (Faber)

The Dawn of Adonis by Phil Earle (Andersen Press)

The Experiment by Rebecca Stead (Andersen Press)

The Feathered Book by Charlie Nutbrown (Everything with Words)

The Lions’ Run by Sara Pennypacker (Hodder)

The Monsters at the End of the World by Rebecca Orwin.(Puffin)

The Night I Borrowed Time by Iqbal Hussein (Puffin)

Two is a Crowd by Cath Howe (Nosy Crow)

 

Book Awards Longlist 2027 – 11-14

Longlist 11- 14+

A Million Tiny Missiles All at Once by Lucas Maxwell (Chicken House)

Always Angel by Kimberly Whittam (Usborne)

Best of all Worlds by Kenneth Oppel (Guppy Books)

Day of Now by Miranda Reason (Bloomsbury)

Dead Straight Line by Malcolm Duffy (Zephyr)

Gone for Good by Sarah Crossan (Simon & Schuster)

My Name is Jodie Jones by Emma Shevah (David Fickling Books)

Not Going to Plan by Tia Fisher (Hot Key Books)

On the Edge by Nicola Garrard (Old Barn Books)

Pearl Beach by Beth Steiner (Pushkin Press)

Phoenix Brothers by Sita Brahmachari (OUP)

Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman (Hot Key Books)

Roar by Manjeet Mann (Penguin)

Runaway Road by Sue Divin (First Ink)

Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley (Rock the Boat)

Tadpole Summer by Catherine Bruton (Nosy Crow)

The Danger of Small Things by Caryl Lewis (Simon & Schuster)

The Last Death Poet by Stephen Daly (Rock the Boat )

Thirst by Darren Simpson (Pushkin Press)

Tom Burne has Left the Chat by Seán Farrelly (Faber)

                             

Book Awards Longlist 2027 – Info

Longlist Information Books 3-14+

A Natural History of Bums by The Crab Museum and illustrated by Inga Ziemele (Wide Eyed Editions)

A River Running Through You by Amy-Jane Beer and illustrated by Elin Manon (Magic Cat Publishing)

Bust or Trust – A Kid’s Mystery Book by Small Wardour and illustrated by Sam Peet (Words & Pictures)

Dance of Resistance by Catherine Johnstone and illustrated by Katie Hickey (Barrington Stoke)

Dangerous Animals Survival Guide by Sam Hume. (Collins)

Flush it Down: The Story of Sewers Through Time by Rob Flowers (Cicada)

Let’s Explore Pigeons by Siski Kalla (Catch a Leaf Publishing)

Making It Up as You Go Along by Patricia Forde and illustrated by Mary Murphy (Little Island)

Mixed: Explore and Celebrate Your Mixed Identity by Emma Slade Edmondson (Rocket Fox)

Quantum! The Strange Science of the Smallest Stuff in the Universe by Christopher Edge, illustrated by Paul Daviz (Walker Books)

Scream If You Wanna Go Faster: The History and Science of Amusement Parks by Peter Morris and illustrated by Roozeboos (Cicada)

Shoes! A Footwear Fashion Frolic by Anna Davies, illustrated by Daisy Wynter (Cicada)

Start Small, Think Big: Small Shiny Dung Beetle by Mary Auld, illustrated by Hannah Bailey (Mama Makes Books)

The Cave Explorer by Kate Winter (Puffin)

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith (Rock the Boat)

The Shipwreck Atlas by Jo Arnold, illustrated by Philip Harris (Wide Eyed Editions)

The Story of Portraits by Mick Manning, illustrated by Brita Granström (Franklin Watts)

The Week Junior Guide to Politics Catherine Brereton (Bloomsbury Education)

Whale Song by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup (Walker Books)

Your Planet Needs You by Elizabeth Laird  and Will McDowall and illustrated by Paul Boston (Walker Books)

Awards Chair, Christine Lockwood, says, ‘Our four teams of longlisting judges, one for each Book Awards category, have been reading non-stop over a hot summer.  From the many wonderful books submitted by publishers, they have chosen a selection of twenty brilliant books per category to present to our four teams of teacher judges at a launch meeting in Manchester on September 19th.  These books now pass to the 89 teacher judges to read, share with their colleagues and classes, and discuss in depth within their Book Groups.  In March we will meet again, to decide on shortlists of six per category – I know that the teacher judges are going to have a wonderful time!’

Longlist announced for the 2026 Branford Boase Award

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The longlist for the 2026 Branford Boase Award has been announced. Set up in 2000, in memory of author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase, one of the founders of Walker Books, the Branford Boase Award recognises the author of the year’s outstanding debut novel for children and young people, together with the editor of the book.

This year no less than 67 books were submitted. 24 of those have made it onto what co-founder and chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare describes as ‘the most varied longlist in the 25 years + of the Branford Boase Award.’

The longlist features original new fantasy adventure stories such as Inkbound by Philippa Leathley, edited by Natalie Doherty (HarperCollins Children’s Books); romantasy in Ova Ceren’s The Book of Heartbreak, edited by 2023’s winning editors Ruth Bennett and Ella Whiddett (Hot Key Books); and thoughtful contemporary stories including The Doughnut Club by Kristina Rahim, edited by Zoë Griffiths (Nosy Crow). There are illustrated stories, such as Marty Moose by Claire Powell, edited by Gráinne Clear (Walker Books), alongside stories examining cultural identity, such as Odd Girl Out by Tasneem Abdur-Rashid, edited by Rosie Fickling (David Fickling Books).

The full list follows:

Odd Girl Out by Tasneem Abdur-Rashid, edited by Rosie Fickling (David Fickling Books)

Letty and the Mystery of the Golden Thread by Penny Boxall, edited by Katie Sinfield (Puffin)

Shadow Thieves by Peter Burns, edited by Lucy Courtenay (Farshore)

The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren, edited by Ruth Bennett and Ella Whiddett (Hot Key Books)

Tart by Becki Jayne Crossley, edited by Cathy Liney (Bloomsbury)

How to Roller Skate with One Leg by Ella Dove, illus by Jennifer Jamieson, edited by Anne Marie Ryan (Orchard Books)

The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni, edited by Asmaa Isse (Electric Monkey)

Grumpfort by Jamie Hammond, illus by the author, edited by Sarah Stewart (Usborne)

The Girl Who Raced the World by Nat Harrison, edited by Ruth Bennett (Bonnier)

Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree by Janeen Hayat, edited by Bella Pearson (Guppy Books)

The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood by Farhana Islam, illus by Simran Diamond Singh, edited by Asmaa Isse (Farshore)

Love on Sight by Asli Jensen, edited by Shalini Vallepur (Chicken House)

Inkbound by Philippa Leathley, edited by Natalie Doherty (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Gloam by Jack Mackay, edited by Katie Jennings (Rock the Boat)

A Beautiful Terrible Thing by Miranda Moore, edited by Meggie Degurney and Liz Cross (David Fickling Books)

Wildlands by Brogen Murphy, edited by Linas Alsenas (Puffin)

Rock Band Music and Misfits by Leah Osakwe, edited by Mattie Whitehead and Karelle Tobias (Little Tiger)

Marty Moose: First Class by Claire Powell, illus by the author, edited by Gráinne Clear (Walker Books)

The Doughnut Club by Kristina Rahim, edited by Zoë Griffiths (Nosy Crow)

The Girl with Gills by Becca Rogers, edited by Fiona Kennedy (Zephyr)

Run Away With Me by J.L. Simmonds, edited by Amina Parchment-Youssef (Penguin)

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn, edited by Emma Jones and Charlie Castelletti (First Ink)

Augmented by Kenechi Udogu, edited by Natasha Brown and Jenny Glencross (Faber)

My Dog by Olivia Wakeford, illus by David Litchfield, edited by Megan Reid (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Chair of the judges and co-founder of the Branford Boase Award, Julia Eccleshare says, “From a record number of submissions, we are delighted to present our judges with this longlist, which is the most varied in the 25 plus years of the Branford Boase Award. In this National Year of Reading, we are delighted to be highlighting so many exciting new voices, and stories to appeal to readers of all tastes and abilities. We thank our sponsors Walker Books and ALCS for enabling the Branford Boase Award to continue to promote the best new writers for young people and the talented editors who nurture them.”

This year’s panel of judges will be led by Margaret McDonald, who together with her editors Alice Swan and Ama Badu won the 2025 Branford Boase Award with Glasgow Boys. Joining her on the panel are children’s book experts, Katherine Woodfine, author and reviewer for The Week Junior; Stephen Dilley, Head of English at Kendrick School, Reading and part of the UKLA Book Awards team; and Anjali Patel Lead Advisory Teacher, CLPE. The judging panel will be chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children’s book consultant, the Hay Festival.

The Branford Boase Award is delivered in partnership with the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) and supported by Walker Books.

The shortlist for the Award will be announced on Thursday 23 April 2026.  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 at an award ceremony at CLPE in London.

 

The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition, the annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award, will open on Monday 2 February 2026.

Inclusive Books for Children reveals 2026 Awards longlist

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Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) has announced the longlist for its 2026 Awards, recognising outstanding inclusive books for young readers, published in the UK.

The annual awards celebrate excellence in storytelling and representation across three categories: baby and toddler books (ages one to three), picture books (ages three to seven) and children’s fiction (ages five to nine).

The authors and illustrators of 14 titles are in contention for an IBC Award, a share of the £30,000 prize fund and the opportunity to participate in the award winners’ showcase at the Hay Festival next May.

Last year’s children’s fiction winner Adeola Sokunbi returns for the second time, while creative duo Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles feature for a third.

As in previous years, the baby and toddler books category will move straight to shortlist due to a lower number of submissions. Four shortlisted titles will be announced in January alongside the other awards categories.

 

Children’s fiction longlist:

Destiny Ink: Birthday Secret by Adeola Sokunbi (Nosy Crow)

George and the Mini Dragon by George Webster, Helen Harvey and Tim Budgen (Scholastic)

Marv and the Duck of Doom by Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles (OUP)

Pia’s Pet Club: Puppy Problem by Serena Patel and Emma McCann (Usborne)

Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy (Nosy Crow)

The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood: School Trip by Farhana Islam and Simran Diamond Singh (Farshore)

Picture book longlist:

A Taste of Home by Maryam Hassan and Anna Wilson (Orchard Books)

Cloud Boy by Greg Stobbs (OUP)

Dancing Dumplings for My One and Only by Eva Wong Nava and Natelle Quek (Walker Books)

Noah’s New Home by Zeshan Akhter and Nabila Adani (Templar Books)

That’s Not Stella by Donna Fredin (Flying Eye Books)

The Beautiful Layers of Me by Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane (Walker Books)

The Hunt for the Fog Town Moose by Stefania Aldana Trujillo (Kumusha Books)

Wednesday Is for Wiggling by Eva Wong Nava and Holly Sterling (Walker Books)

Sarah Satha, IBC co-founder, said: ‘For a third year running, the IBC Awards have teased out the crème de la crème of inclusive children’s literature in the UK. This outstanding collection of works from a supremely talented group of creatives – most from underrepresented groups – goes to show that inclusivity goes hand-in-hand with excellence. Our judges face an exceptionally tough task, and we can’t wait to see which books prevail!’

This year’s judges are Pragya Agarwal, writer and academic; Scott Evans, primary school teacher and creator of The Reader Teacher website; Mei Matsuoka, children’s illustrator and author; Phyllis Ramage, librarian and children’s literature academic; and Nina Tame, disability consultant and content creator.

To read more about the books visit the IBC website.

Yoto CKG Award Medals

Longlists Announced for Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards 2022

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The longlists for the UK’s oldest children’s book awards, the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, now known as the Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards in a new sponsorship deal, are announced today.

There are 18 books in contention for the Yoto Carnegie Medal amongst them novels by debut authors Sue Divin, Kereen Getten, Luke Palmer and Lesley Parr. The list also includes two verse novels, Manjeet Mann’s Costa Children’s Book Award winner The Crossing, and Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam.

Of the 15 books longlisted for the Yoto Kate Greenaway Medal, two are by illustrators who have already won the Medal twice, Emily Gravett and Sydney Smith.

This year both longlists feature non-fiction,

The 2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal longlist in full:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October, October by Katya Balen, illustrated by Angela Harding (Bloomsbury)

Musical Truth by Jeffrey Boakye, illustrated by Ngadi Smart (Faber)

We Were Wolves by Jason Cockcroft (Andersen Press)

Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin (Macmillan Children’s Books)

When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle (Andersen Press)

When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kereen Getten (Pushkin Children’s Books)

The Climbers by Keith Gray (Barrington Stoke)

Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock (Faber)

The Wolf Road by Richard Lambert (Everything With Words)

Rat by Patrice Lawrence (Oxford University Press)

The Crossing by Manjeet Mann (Penguin Children’s Books)

Grow by Luke Palmer (Firefly Press)

The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr (Bloomsbury)

Tsunami Girl by Julian Sedgwick, illustrated by Chie Kutsuwada (Guppy Books)

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas (Walker Books)

Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle (Andersen Press)

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner (Andersen Press)

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

 

The 2022 Yoto Kate Greenaway Medal longlist in full:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While You’re Sleeping illustrated by John Broadley, written by Mick Jackson (Pavilion Books)

Drawn Across Borders illustrated and written by George Butler (Walker Books)

The Midnight Fair illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio, written by Gideon Sterer (Walker Books)

Wild Child illustrated by Barry Falls, written by Dara McAnulty (Macmillan Children’s Books)

A Cat Called Waverley illustrated and written by Debi Gliori (Otter-Barry Books)

Too Much Stuff illustrated and written by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots)

Diamonds illustrated and written by Armin Greder (Allen & Unwin Children’s Books)

Over the Shop illustrated by Qin Leng, written by JonArno Lawson (Walker Books)

Long Way Down illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff, written by Jason Reynolds (Faber)

The Invisible illustrated and written by Tom Percival (Simon & Schuster)

Milo Imagines the World illustrated by Christian Robinson, written by Matt de la Pena (Macmillan Children’s Books)

Shu Lin’s Grandpa illustrated by Yu Rong, written by Matt Goodfellow (Otter-Barry Books)

I Talk Like a River illustrated by Sydney Smith, written by Jordan Scott (Walker Books)

The House by the Lake illustrated by Britta Teckentrup, written by Thomas Harding (Walker Books)

The Wanderer illustrated and written by Peter Van den Ende (Pushkin Children’s Books)

The longlists were chosen from 148 nominations by the judging panel, which includes 14 children’s and youth librarians from CILIP’s Youth Libraries Group.

Jennifer Horan, Chair of Judges for the Yoto Carnegie and Greenaway Awards 2022, says, ‘It is a real privilege to be chairing the judging panel during what has been an exceptional year for children’s publishing. We were transported and moved by evocative and lyrical prose; taken on fantastical journeys and invited into new worlds through powerful illustration; and given real hope by the messages of humanity, connection and community that so many of this year’s longlisted books share. I congratulate all the authors and illustrators on their outstanding work, which will bring young readers so much pleasure and reassurance in these times of worry.’

The shortlists will be announced on Wednesday 16th March and the winners will be announced and celebrated on Thursday 16th June at a ceremony at The British Library.

Now in its fourth year, the Shadowers’ Choice Award – voted for and awarded by the children and young people who shadow the Medals – will also be announced at the ceremony.

Yoto, the innovative, screen-free audio platform for children, is the headline sponsor for the Awards. The ambition of the recently announced three-year partnership is to increase the visibility, profile and reach of the Awards to inspire and empower a new generation of readers. The Awards are also sponsored by Peters, the official book supplier, and ALCS.

 

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