Edge Book Award

2026 marks the inaugural year of the Edge Book Award, launching for Year 9, 10 and 11 students during the autumn term.

The award celebrates engaging, diverse and inclusive Young Adult literature, showcasing outstanding UK authors. 

Young adult (YA) fiction explores themes and experiences that matter most to teenagers, including identity, friendships, relationships, family, mental health and the challenges of navigating the world as a young person. YA fiction helps readers build confidence, broaden their perspectives and navigate the journey from adolescence to adulthood.

Participating schools will have the opportunity to:

• Help shortlist titles for the award
• Attend exclusive in-person author, poet and illustrator events
• Access online book reviews and pupil voting
• Use the official Edge Book Award logo
• Receive a certificate of participation

Schools will also be invited to attend Edge Book Award Live at Derby University on Tuesday 24 November 2026.

To support participation and promote the award within schools, ELS will provide a range of promotional materials, including posters and bookmarks for pupils. 

• Inspire reading for pleasure through engaging, high-quality contemporary fiction
• Amplify student voice by placing young readers at the heart of discussion and voting
• Broaden reading horizons through diverse, inclusive and representative books
• Spark conversation and curiosity with original stories that encourage reflection and debate
• Celebrate accessible reading through a range of formats, styles and reading experiences
• Champion new voices by introducing students to recently published books, including emerging and debut authors

Titles are considered against the following criteria:

• High-quality writing
• Strong appeal and engagement
• Diversity and representation
• Originality and potential to stimulate discussion
• Accessibility, including length, readability, illustrations and format
• Published within the previous 12 months
• UK-based authors – desirable
• Debut authors – desirable
• Available in paperback – desirable

The Edge Book Award provides a excellent opportunity for students to discover high-quality contemporary fiction, engage directly with talented authors and illustrators, explore the literary themes that inspire them and amplify young readers' voices by placing them at the heart of discussion and voting.