YA Book Prize 2026 – Shortlist Announced!

20 June, 2026

The shortlist for the YA Book Prize 2026 has been announced. Launched in 2014, the YA Book Prize celebrates outstanding fiction for young readers aged 14–18, shining a spotlight on compelling stories, distinctive voices and bold publishing from the UK and Ireland.

The prize was founded to encourage more young people to read and to raise the profile of the authors creating exceptional books for them. It is organised by The Bookseller in partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF).

The ten-book shortlist is selected by a team at The Bookseller. The winner is then chosen by a panel made up of YA authors and children’s book experts with input from teenage judges. Judges are asked to consider both the quality of the writing and whether they would recommend the book to other young adults.

Caroline Carpenter, Chair of Judges and children’s editor and deputy features editor at The Bookseller, said of this year’s shortlist: ‘I’m delighted to be unveiling another incredibly readable and varied selection of YA Book Prize-nominated books. From stories about first loves to those tackling trauma and uncovering dark secrets, from immersive historical settings and epic fantasy worlds to the everyday challenges of life as a teen today, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on our 2026 shortlist.’

The shortlisted authors will introduce their books at a series of live-streamed events as part of the EIBF’s Schools Programme, culminating in the winner announcement on 27th August. You can also find out more about each of the authors and download the first chapter of their books on the YA Book Prize website.

Congratulations to all this year’s shortlisted authors!

Cover images of the 10 titles shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2026