2026 Carnegie Medal shortlist announced

The Carnegies, the UK’s longest running book awards for children run by the UK’s library association, CILIP, announced their 2026 shortlists at the London Book Fair yesterday afternoon.

The award celebrates outstanding reading experiences in both Writing and Illustration categories and are unique in being judged by librarians – and what better award to celebrate during the National Year of Reading than one run by librarians, the tireless & passionate reading advocates that help people of all ages discover new authors, illustrators, and books on a daily basis. The Carnegies also have a Shadowers’ Choice Medal voted for by children and young people, so if you have young people in your life that are keen to follow along with their reading group and vote, do let them know about this scheme. You can find more information on how to take part, here.

The 2026 Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlist is (alphabetical by author surname):

• Ghostlines by Katya Balen (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
• Not Going to Plan by Tia Fisher (Hot Key Books)
• Popcorn by Rob Harrell (Piccadilly Press)
• The Boy I Love by William Hussey (Andersen Press)
• Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Tim Miller (Walker)
• Wolf Siren by Beth O’Brien (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
• Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds (Faber & Faber)
• Birdie by J. P. Rose (Andersen Press)

The 2026 Carnegie Medal for Illustration shortlist is (alphabetical by illustrator surname):

• The Playdate by Clara Dackenberg, written by Uje Brandelius, translated by Nichola Smalley (Lantana)
• The Endless Sea by Linh Dao, written by Chi Thai (Walker)
• Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel illustrated & adapted by Aimee de Jongh, written by William Golding (Faber & Faber)
• The Sleeper Train by Baljinder Kaur, written by Mick Jackson (Walker)
• Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto (Pushkin Children’s Books)
• Freedom Braids by Oboh Moses, written by Monique Duncan (Lantana)
• The Paper Bridge by Seng Soun Ratanavanh, written by Joelle Veyrenc, translated by Katy Lockwood-Holmes (Floris Books)
• Wiggling Words by Kate Rolfe (Two Hoots)

Winners will be announced on Tuesday 23^rd June at a live ceremony at the Cambridge Theatre in London, suitably home to Matilda The Musical. and will be livestreamed online too.