Secondary Book Award 2026 – Our Winner and a Wonderful Celebration

The Secondary Book Award 2026 was a very special day for schools across Warwickshire. This year, 21 secondary schools took part, and 17 of them came to our big celebration at the Bridge House Theatre at the end of March. The theatre was full of smiles, laughter and excitement as we celebrated all six shortlisted books. Warwickshire's Young Poet Laureate, Naomi Mba also joined us and inspired us all with her incredibly insightful and moving poems.

We were lucky to be joined by four amazing authors: Jenny Pearson, Dan Smith, Liz Ryder and Anne Fine. They spoke to the students, shared stories and made everyone laugh. Two other shortlisted authors, Brian Conaghan and Hiba Noor Khan, couldn’t come in person, but they kindly sent us brilliant video messages.

After the ceremony, students had the chance to meet the authors, chat with them and get their books signed. It was a fun and inspiring moment for everyone who loves reading.

A huge well done to Jenny Pearson, who won the Secondary Book Award 2026 with her fantastic book The Shrapnel Boys. The audience cheered as she accepted the award, and it was a wonderful end to a joyful event.

We can’t wait to celebrate again next year.

Photo 1: Chris Ashton, Service Manager for Warwickshire Libraries with the shortlisted authors on stage

Photo 2: Ayub Khan, Head of Libraries, Heritage & Culture and Registration for Warwickshire with winning author, Jenny Pearson

Photo 3: Anne Fine, author of The Wall 

Photo 4: Dan Smith, author of The Deadsoul Project

Photo 5: Liz Hyder, author of The Twelve

Photo 6: Ayub, Chris, Jenny Pearson, Angela (WSLS) and Mog (Warwick Books)

Photo 7: Naomi, Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate 2025/26