Edge Book Award

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

The award celebrates engaging, diverse and inclusive literature, showcasing outstanding UK authors, poets and illustrators while encouraging reading for pleasure among Key Stage 4 pupils. 

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. 

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