The Carnegies

From CILIP

Resource type: Book awards

Price band: Free

Key stage: KS1, KS2, KS3

Region(s): All of UK

The Carnegies are the UK’s oldest and most prestigious children’s book awards. There are two awards:

The Carnegie Medal for Writing (previously known as the Carnegie Medal) is awarded for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people.
The Carnegie Medal for Illustration (previously known as the Kate Greenaway Medal) is awarded for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

The Carnegie Medals are managed by CILIP and judged by children’s librarians across the UK. However, the Carnegies Shadowing Scheme provides the opportunity for young readers to shadow the judging process and vote for their favourite titles in the Shadowers’ Choice Awards.

Read our shortlist announcement for the Carnegie Medals 2026.

Timetable:

The 2026 shortlists will be announced on 10th March.
The winners of the 2026 Carnegie Medals and Shadowers’ Choice Awards will be announced on 23rd June.

Cost: Free

About CILIP: CILIP is the UK’s library and information association. The charity works to develop and improve library and information services and to support and advocate for information professionals and librarians.

Further resources:

Schools can pre-order shortlist book packs at a discount from Scholastic, the awards’ official book supplier.
Find a list of past winners and supporting resources here.
Accessible editions of the shortlisted titles for both awards will be available from the RNIB and Calibre Audio.
Other book awards that offer an opportunity for children to vote for their favourite title(s) include the Excelsior Award, the FCBG Children’s Book Award, the IBA Book Club, the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards, the Shropshire Bookfest Book Awards, the Spark! School Book Awards, and the Young People’s Book Prize.