The Carnegies celebrate outstanding reading experiences in books for children and young people. Take a look at these fantastic books shortlisted for the 2026 Medal for Writing!
Want more suggested books? Take a look at our recommendations.
Ghostlines
Katya Balen
Everything, and everyone, is familiar on the Island of Ayrie – nothing much changes, and for Tilda, nothing ever should – it is beautiful, it is perfect and it is home.
When newcomer Albie arrives, Tilda wants to show Ayrie off – Albie wants her to leave him alone. She learns quickly that it’ll take more than a tour and some seal viewings to win him around. Then, she remembers stories of the old island just an hour’s boat ride away from the shore.
The old island is a death trap. The journey there is treacherous. Trips across to it are strictly forbidden. And there’s a rumour it’s haunted by the ghosts of those left there to die. But with all else having failed, the old island is the only way for Tilda to make Albie see what she sees in Ayrie.
Besides, it’s a different kind of ghost that worries Tilda. The ghost that’s been following her, now, since her brother left the island.
Not Going to Plan
Tia Fisher
Marnie has just been excluded from her posh private school, which is how she ends up at the local state school and sitting next to Zed, the loner in the class.
But Marnie (good at most things, especially Art but definitely not Physics) and Zed (good at most things, especially Maths but definitely not Spanish) soon find they can help each other out – and become good friends.
Then Marnie finds out she is pregnant. How could she be? They were using a condom. But Marnie comes to the horrible realisation that the boy she was with (not Zed) wasn’t telling the truth.
Marnie now has the most terrible and unfair decision to make. And to do that she will need the help of her friends and family – if she can bear to tell them.
Popcorn
Rob Harrell
Andrew’s just trying to get through school photo day with one aim: a photo of him which his mum will like. But today of all days, the world seems out to get him.
There’s a bully, the science experiment gone wrong, scary news about his grandmother, and someone else’s juice snot (don’t ask). Andrew struggles with anxiety, and the little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter. Can he make it through the day without popping?
A heartfelt and laugh-out-loud-funny story about letting go of control and accepting help, interspersed with Rob Harrell’s amazing spot art and comic panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD, as well as real tips for coping.
The Boy I Love
William Hussey
At just nineteen, Stephen has already survived a year at the front. Now he is returning to the trenches to lead a platoon, despite his wounds. Broken-hearted from the loss of his first love, Stephen wonders what he’s fighting for.
Then he meets Private Danny McCormick, a smart, talented young recruit whose strong opinions will surely get him into trouble.
From their first meeting, there’s something undeniable between them – something forbidden by both society and the army. Determined to protect Danny, Stephen must face down the prejudices and ignorance of his superiors as well as the onslaught of German shells and sniper fire.
As the summer of 1916 ticks down to one big push on the Somme, can Stephen and Danny stay together – and will their love save them – or condemn them?
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Patrick Ness and Tim Miller
Master storyteller Patrick Ness turns to middle grade in a hilarious adventure about a mismatched group of animals attending school together, brought to life by funny illustrations.
Zeke and Daniel have just been made hall monitors by Principal Wombat. This has nothing to do with the fact that they are monitor lizards. And never mind the fact Alicia, the only other monitor lizard in the school, is also a hall monitor.
Somehow, the three hall monitors must impose order on arrogant lions, excitable seals and super-relaxed pandas. And worst of all, there is Pelicarnassus! A pompous giant pelican and the son of a major supervillain, who inexplicably has it out for the lizards.
Can the hall monitor lizards and their new friend, a blind, fearsome red-tailed hawk, protect their school from all manner of outlandish threats?
Wolf Siren
Beth O’Brien
Red is not allowed to go into the woods. Everyone knows that they are dangerous – because of their strange magic and the wolves that lurk there.
But Red finds herself increasingly drawn to the woods and the place where her grandmother disappeared without a trace three years ago.
When the woodcutter fails to return home one night and wolves are spotted close to the village boundary, fear drives a deep and dangerous divide between the villagers and the nature they live alongside.
Only Red seems to hold the key – but she has a secret, and exposing it could ruin her family forever.
Twenty-Four Seconds From Now
Jason Reynolds
Seventeen-year-old Neon is about to have sex with his girlfriend, Aria, for the first time. In 24 seconds to be precise. He’s hiding in the bathroom, nervous, wanting to do everything right.
Rewind. To 24 minutes earlier where Neon rushes from work, taking the gift of fried chicken to Aria’s house. Rewind again.
To 24 hours earlier when Neon’s big sister has advice about sex which makes him think he probably shouldn’t be listening to his friends.
To 24 days earlier. To 24 weeks earlier. To 24 months earlier, when he and Aria first met.
This tender, sweet, wholesome piece of fiction discusses how to approach first sex, how to respect women, how to be gentle, how to make it about love. It shows us a refreshingly different side to male sexuality.
Birdie
J. P. Rose
Birdie Bagshaw has never known her parents. Having grown up in a children’s home for mixed race children in 1950s Leeds, now she has come to live with her great-aunt Mabel in the Yorkshire Dales.
From her arrival, things are strained, and Birdie cannot understand why she is treated like an outsider by the local children. When their bullying drives Birdie to hide in the nearby coal mine, she finds an unexpected rescuer in the form of Mr Duke, the last remaining pit pony in the village.
As the weeks pass, Birdie forms a special bond with the spirited little pony. But his future is in danger, and Birdie comes up with a daring plan to save his life in return.