2026 7-10+ Shortlist
We’re thrilled to present you with this year’s 7-10+ Shortlist:
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)
2026 7-10+ Longlist
UKLA are pleased to announce that the 2026 7-10+ Book Awards Longlist is:
After. Written by Pádraig Kenny.(Walker Books)
Birdie. Written by J P Rose (Andersen Press)
Blitz – One family’s war. Written and illustrated by Martin Impey (Harbour Moon Publishing)
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody. Written by Patrick Ness and illustrated by Tim Miller (Walker Books)
Dragonborn. Written by Struan Murray (Puffin)
Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial. Written by Kieran Larwood and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Nosy Crow)
Ettie and the Midnight Pool. Written by Julia Green and illustrated by Pam Smy (David Fickling Books)
Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree. Written by Janeen Hayat (Guppy Books)
Fallout. Written by Lesley Parr (Bloomsbury)
Ghostlines .Written by Katya Balen (Bloomsbury)
Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth. Written and illustrated by Alex Latimer (Oxford University Press)
Jakub’s Otter. Written by Coral Rumble (Troika Books)
Leo and Ralph. Written and illustrated by Peter Carnavas (Pushkin Press)
Mayowa and the Sea of Words. Written by Chibundu Onuzo (Bloomsbury)
Reek. Written by Alastair Chisholm and illustrated by George Caltsoudas (Barrington Stoke)
The Falling Boy. Written by David Almond(Hodder)
The Remarkables. Written and illustrated by Clotilde Perrin and translated by Daniel Hahn (Gecko Press)
The Secret of Golden Island. Written by Natasha Farrant (Faber)
Tosh’s Island. Written by Linda Sargent and Joe Brady; illustrated by Leo Marcell (David Fickling Books)
Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It? Written by Sarah Ziman (Troika Books)
Read more about why the judges made their selections below:
This category celebrates fiction and poetry published for middle and upper primary pupils. The award is given every year for books in which the language is powerful. It must have an effect on the child reader and be memorable in some way because of the way it is used. The current award seeks to recognise the use of language in a fiction, poetry or picture book from those books nominated by a wide and inclusive range of publishers.
To submit to this Award, please use the submission form below (while submissions are open). The full judging criteria and guidance for submissions can be found below. Information about the past winners can also be found below and represent true excellence endorsed by teachers who have seen their impact upon young readers.