UKLA Shortlists 2026

The shortlists have been announced for the 2026 UKLA Book Awards. The 85 teachers who comprise the judging panel looked for high-quality children’s books that reflect all identities, promote diversity and that they can wholeheartedly recommend to other teachers who want to inspire a passion for reading for pleasure in their school.

The shortlisted books are:

3-6+

A Wild Walk to School, written and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb (Macmillan)

Bothered by Bugs, written and illustrated by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots)

Don’t Think of Tigers, written and illustrated by Alex Latimer (Andersen Press)

Don’t Trust Fish, written by Neil Sharpson and illustrated by Dan Santat (Andersen Press)

Once I was a Tree, written by Eoin McLaughlin and illustrated by Guilherme Karsten (Nosy Crow)

The Search for Carmella, written and illustrated by Chloe Savage (Walker Books)

7-10+

After, written by Pádraig Kenny.(Walker Books)

Birdie, written by J P Rose (Andersen Press)

Dragonborn, written by Struan Murray (Puffin)

Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial, written by Kieran Larwood and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Nosy Crow)

Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree, written by Janeen Hayat (Guppy Books)

Reek, written by Alastair Chisholm and illustrated by George Caltsoudas (Barrington Stoke)

11- 14+

Black Star written by Kwame Alexander (Andersen Press)

The Boy I Love, written by William Hussey (Andersen Press)

The Line They Drew Through Us, written by  Hiba Noor Khan (Andersen Press)

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now, written by Jason Reynolds (Faber)

When the Bones Sing, written by Ginny Myers Sain (Electric Monkey)

Wolf Siren, written by Beth O’Brien (HarperCollins)

Information Books 3-14+

Choose Your Own Evolution, written by Jules Howard and illustrated by Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow)

Frog, written by Isabel Thomas and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus (Bloomsbury)

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

Me and My Hair, written by Kimberley Kinloch and illustrated by Jessica Gibson (Usborne)

The Endless Sea, written by Chi Thai and illustrated by Linh Dao (Walker Books)

University of Cambridge: There’s No Such Thing as a Silly Question, written by Mike Rampton and illustrated by Guilherme Karsten (Nosy Crow)

Awards sponsor, Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine and The Reading Journey, says ‘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.’

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’.

Chris Lockwood, Awards Chair says, ‘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.’

The winners will be announced at the UKLA International Conference in the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow on 3 July.