Winners of the 2025 Carnegie Medals announced

The winners of the UK’s longest-running book awards for children and young people, The Carnegie Medals, were announced on Thursday 19 June in front of an audience of over 600 young people at a live-streamed ceremony at the Cambridge Theatre, London. 2024 Carnegie Medal for Writing winner, and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho hosted the event.

Margaret McDonald was announced as the winner of the Carnegie Medal for Writing winner, for the ‘life changing and emotional’ Glasgow Boys (Faber.) Her novel explores mental health, trauma, inequality and identity through the friendship between two boys who have grown up in foster care.  At 27, she is the youngest winner in the Medal’s almost ninety-year history and Glasgow Boys is her debut novel.

The winner of the Carnegie Medal for Illustration is Olivia Lomenech Gill for Clever Crow, written by Chris Butterworth (Walker Books).

The winner of the Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Medal for Writing is Nathanael Lessore with King of Nothing (Bonnier Books UK), a YA novel about a bully whose new friendship with an unpopular classmate proves a catalyst for change, exploring young masculinity with ‘warmth, humour and authenticity.’ Commenting on why they chose King of Nothing, Aditi from shadowing group Bexley GS admired ‘the way the author has written about the challenges of being a teen and how to handle peer pressure’. Other shadowers commented on the book’s ‘relatability’ and ‘humour,’ with Nyles from South Wolds Book Worms adding that the book ‘inspires readers to be honest about who they are and the choices that they make.’

Homebody by author-illustrator Theo Parish (Macmillan Children’s Books) is the winner of the Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Medal for Illustration. Homebody is a graphic novel exploring identity, self-discovery and the importance of living authentically.  Jasmine from shadowers group Rebel Readers described Homebody as ‘a magical and powerful book’ while Freya from Loyal Judging Society commented that the book could ‘help people who are struggling with their identity.’

The Carnegies celebrate achievement in children’s writing and illustration and are unique in being judged by a panel of children’s and youth librarians, including 14 librarians from CILIP the library and information association’s Youth Libraries Group.

Ros Harding, Chair of Judges for The Carnegies 2025, said, ‘Glasgow Boys is an immersive and visceral read that completely draws the reader into the present and past lives of Finlay and Banjo. It is a book that will stay in the minds of the reader long after finishing it. Clever Crow is full of stunning, innovative and detailed illustrations that elevate this fascinating non-fiction book into something even more special that demands reading over and over again. Congratulations to the 2025 winning authors and illustrators and a huge thanks to the judging panel who give up so much time and energy for these awards. Thanks also to all the young readers who took part in the Shadowing programme and to the teachers and librarians who support them in discovering the very best of writing and illustration for young people.’

Carnegie Medal for Illustration winner, Olivia Lomenech Gill, said: ‘I have always had an immense respect for librarians and the vital work they do, so I cannot think of a greater honour than being selected for this award, and I am very grateful to the judges for choosing me as this year’s winner. Working on Clever Crow was a great opportunity to learn more about these very clever and sociable birds, and I hope that the book might encourage readers to look at crows from a different viewpoint than the rather negative stereotype as portrayed in fairy tales, horror movies, and Hitchcock!’

Find the new Books for Keeps interview with Olivia Lomenech Gill on our homepage.

Carnegie Medal for Writing winner, Margaret McDonald, said, ‘I’m utterly delighted to be the recipient of this year’s Carnegie Medal for Writing. With Glasgow Boys, it was my intention to bring into the light things that are often overlooked as a working class, disabled and first-generation university student, but mainly the difficulties of making your way through a world that is essentially not built for you. We don’t often speak of these invisible barriers but navigate them regardless. It was something that was deeply important for me to showcase the strength, the community, the humour and the love of the people within Glasgow Boys, including but not exclusive to care experienced people, healthcare workers, hospitality staff, queer people, immigrants, and the working class.  My central characters Banjo and Finlay feel as real to me as everyone here right now. They are genuinely standing up here with me to accept this award, and I want to thank the judges for championing them and their story, for giving them this platform and welcoming them into such a legacy as the Carnegies.’

The winners of the Carnegie Medals for Writing and Illustration will each receive a specially commissioned golden medal and a £5,000 Colin Mears Award cash prize. The winners of the Shadowers’ Choice Medals – voted for and awarded by the children and young people – will also receive a golden medal and, £500 to donate to a library of their choice, generously provided by the English and Media Centre for the writing winner and by CILIP for the illustration winner.