The Readers' Choice Award was created in 2023 in response to the years of requests from schools to have a say in the awards. Schools wanted to shadow the books and cast a vote on their favourite books. With our limited capacity we tried to think of the best way to get schools involved.
In the end we decided to have a poll with all the longlisted books and encouraged readers to buy the books or support the ones they've read and vote for their favourite across each category. Schools especially got very involved and we're so pleased for the thousand votes received. We cannot wait to see who will win this year!
Please note these votes are entirely by the public.
Readers’ Choice Award Picture Books
WINNER
With 14.9% of the vote…
Thunderboots by Naomi Jones, illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown (Oxford University Press)
In second place, with 12.2% of the vote…
I'm Going to Be a Princess by Stephanie Taylor, illustrated by Jade Orlando (Nosy Crow)
In third place, with 9.4% of the vote…
Not Now Noor by Farhana Islam, illustrated by Nabila Adani (PRH Children's)
Readers’ Choice Award – Children’s
WINNER
With 11.7% of the vote…
Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan (Andersen Press)
In second place with 10.4% of the vote…
Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton (Scholastic)
In third place with 7.3% of the vote…
Dreamweavers: Night of the Scary Fairies by Annabelle Sami, illustrated by Forrest Burdett (Little Tiger)
Readers’ Choice Award – YA
WINNER
With 7.8% of the vote…
Boy Like Me by Simon James Green (Scholastic)
In second place, with 15.5% of the vote…
All The Things They Said We Couldn’t Have: Stories of Trans Joy by T.C. Oakes-Monger (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)
In third place, with 6.4% of the vote…
You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud (Usborne)
Readers’ Choice Award – Adult
WINNER
With 11.9% of the vote…
Until Proven Innocent by Nicola Williams (Hamish Hamilton)
In second place, with 10.8% of the vote…
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth (Verve Books)
In third place, with 6.9% of the vote…
Ghost Girl, Banana by Wiz Wharton (Hodder and Stoughton)
