The Spark! School Book Awards are a book award and reading for pleasure project designed to help schools create a buzz around reading. The awards provide teachers and pupils with the opportunity to read, discuss and vote for their favourite book from a shortlist selected by a panel of teachers, educators and librarians.

There are five award categories to ensure that all young readers from Early Years to secondary can get involved:

• Picture fiction for early readers
• Fiction for 7+
• Fiction for 9+
• Fiction for 11+
• Guest category: Non-fiction for 6-12 year-olds.

The award is open to all UK primary and secondary schools and schools can sign up to participate in as many of the award categories as they like. Participating schools will receive:

• A free set of the shortlisted titles for the relevant category or categories, along with access to assorted classroom resources.
• Access to at least one online author event per shortlisted book, plus a bespoke introductory video.
• The opportunity for pupils to enter a range of competitions.
• An invitation to the online Award Ceremony.

Timetable:

• Register to take part in the autumn term.
• The shortlist announcement is in January.
• Pupil voting runs until end May/early June.
• The winners are announced at an online ceremony in June.

Read our shortlist and winner announcements for the Spark! School Book Awards 2026.

Cost: £65 for each award category that schools participate in. (Schools that register for at least one category can apply to be entered into an additional category for free. Priority will be given to schools with higher pupil premium numbers.)

About Spark! School Book Awards: The Spark! School Book Awards is a registered charity, working in partnership with The Open University to inspire young readers everywhere.