Since 2014, the Brilliant Book Award has celebrated the latest and most exciting books for readers in Years 7 to 9 in secondary schools.
The shortlisted titles are handpicked by our librarians, giving pupils the opportunity to discover and enjoy some of the best new books available through the autumn term. The award is a great way to encourage reading for pleasure in schools and gives young people the opportunity to attend a live, day-long event to meet and hear from the shortlisted authors.
Shortlist
Finn Jones Was Here by Simon James Green
The Fights That Make Us by Sarah Hagger-Holt
The Witch Stone Ghosts by Emily Randall-Jones
Reggie Houser Has the Power by Helen Rutter
Echo Star Is Always Listening by Melinda Salisbury
Bite Risk by S.J. Wills
Winner 2026
Finn Jones Was Here by Simon James Green
Eric's best friend, Finn Jones, was the world's most enthusiastic prankster. Was, because Finn died recently of an illness...Or did he? Finn is sending Eric messages from beyond the grave - and it must be because this is Finn's biggest prank ever, faking his own death! As Eric follows Finn's cryptic instructions for various challenges, he goes down memory lane and through a bucket list that Finn never got to do himself. A story about accepting grief, and ultimately embracing the joys and opportunities of life, making every minute count.
I extremely enjoyed this book. It was very heart warming funny and real. I personally enjoyed the illustration as it adds to the sweet feeling
It was an incredibly written book that I really enjoyed. It was an emotional rollarcoaster that was really good and made me realise that different people deal with grief so differently and that Finn Jones must have been a very good friend.
The best book from this year's BBA. Very emotional yet comedic at the same time. The message from Finn at the end of the book broke my heart
Runner Up
Echo Star Is Always Listening by Melinda Salisbury
Ruby Brookes and her best friend Deva have won free places at the Ash Tree Foundation Performing Arts Camp over the summer, but only if their school grades seriously improve. So when Deva suddenly starts getting high marks in all their subjects, leaving Ruby behind, she is confused and jealous. Until she finds out Deva's success is down to EchoStar, a new app that's helping her get ahead. Ruby is desperate to start using it too, but there is much more to it than she has imagined. Because EchoStar is always watching and listening...
