The winners of the Spark! School Book Awards 2026 were announced at an online ceremony on 23 June.

Now in its sixth year, the Spark! School Book Awards were set up by a group of teachers and literacy leads to encourage young readers to read more widely and to help schools create a buzz around reading. The shortlists are chosen by panels of teachers and children’s book experts but the winners for the five award categories are chosen by pupils in primary and secondary schools across the UK.

Registration for next year’s awards will open in the autumn term. Find out more about the awards, the resources provided to support them, and how your school can get involved here.

Congratulations to all this year’s winning authors and illustrators!

Picture Fiction for Early Readers: Winner

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

Fiction for 7+: Winner

Wild Magic: Legend Of The Black Lion by Abiola Bello, illustrated by Emma McCann (Simon and Schuster Children’s)

Fiction for 9+: Winner

Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson (Usborne Publishing)

Fiction for 11+: Winner

I Dare You by Tamsin Winter (Usborne Publishing)

Information Books 6-12 (Guest Category): Winner

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

For more book awards chosen by children and young people, click here.