As National Non-Fiction November drew to a close, the winners of this year’s SLA Information Book Award were announced at a ceremony in central London.

Now in their 14th year, the awards were established to highlight the important role of non-fiction as part of young people’s reading experience and to celebrate the high standard of information books for young people. There are three award categories: Ages 7 and under, Ages 8 to 12, and Ages 13 to 16.

A panel of judges made up of experts from the education sector selected winners for each of the three age categories. From these, an Overall Winner was chosen. However, young people across the UK also had the opportunity to have their say by voting in the Children’s Choice Award. This year, adult and student judges voted for different winners in every category.

For their Overall Winner, the adult judges chose Lads: A Guide to Respect and Consent by Alan Bisset (Wren & Rook). The judges described Lads as a refreshing and essential addition to any bookshelf, not just for teenage boys but teachers and parents too.

On receiving his award, Alan Bisset, author of Lads, said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to have won this award, especially against such strong contenders. As a writer who does a great many talks in schools with teenagers – and as a former English teacher – I am well aware how vital and important school libraries and librarians are, so it’s a real honour to receive this from people who work in a vocation which I respect so much, and who make it their business to read everything! Schools have to navigate complicated and sensitive discussions every day – I hope that, with this platform, Lads can spark a positive conversation among young men (and women) about respect, relationships and consent in an often-confusing and ever-changing world.’

Unspoken, a moving and poetic exploration of the story of slavery, written by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Dare Coulter (Andersen Press) emerged as the Overall Winner for the Children’s Choice Award.

Commenting on his win, author Kwame Alexander said: ‘For pupils to choose a book that has been banned in America is a real testament to its value. This Children’s Choice Award makes a bold statement! Unspoken talks about a difficult time in our collective history, but a very important one in terms of how we understand our past and learn for our future. I am honoured that the young people judging this award chose my book as their favourite from a competitive selection.’

To be crowned the Overall Winner and Children’s Choice Overall Winner, both Lads: A Guide to Respect and Consent and Unspoken had first to win their respective age categories from a shortlist of four titles.

Judges’ Choice Category Winners

Ages 7 and under: Darwin’s Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular, written by Polly Owen, illustrated by Gwen Millward (Wide Eyed Editions)

Ages 8 to 12: Human 2.0, written by Patrick Kane, illustrated by Samuel Rodriguez (Big Picture Press)

Ages 13 to 16: Lads, by Alan Bissett (Wren & Rook)

Children’s Choice Category Winners

Ages 7 and under: Salat in Secret, written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Hatem Aly (Andersen Press)

Ages 8 to 12: Unspoken, written by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dare Coulter (Andersen Press)

Ages 13 to 16: How to Love: A Guide to Feelings and Relationships for Everyone, written and illustrated by Alex Norris (Walker Books)

Commenting on this year’s awards, Paul Register, Chair of the Trustees for the School Library Association, said: ‘The School Library Association’s Information Book Awards have highlighted, once again, the incredible diversity of book titles available to children of all ages. The judges have chosen books that will both educate and encourage children to read for pleasure. It is a joy to see children selecting winners that represent the enquiry and inclusivity we hope to foster in all school libraries.

Chair of Judges Margaret Pemberton added: ‘Every year that I’ve been a judge has been a joy. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve learned, and I’ve recommended the amazing books I’ve read to others. The two books which were overall winners this year reflect two issues that our society is wrestling with – what it means to be a boy or man, and the continuing influence of slavery in the modern world. Information books help us understand the world, and that’s why they matter so much.’

To find out more about the Information Book Award and how your pupils can get involved with the Children’s Choice Award next year, click here.