Carnegies 2025 Shortlisted Books

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan

Treacle Town follows Con O’Neill, a teenager caught in the grip of gang violence and poverty in Coatbridge, Scotland. When his friend Biscuit is murdered, revenge seems inevitable – until Con stumbles into the world of slam poetry. With tensions running high, every choice he makes carries weight. Written in sharp, first-person, this raw, gripping novel dives into survival, grief, and the fight for something better. Gritty and unfiltered, it’s a great story for 14+ year olds.

Featured in our Best Books of Autumn 2023 list.

The Things We Leave Behind by Clare Furniss

Clem and her half-sister Billie escape London as an authoritarian government tightens its grip. Their stepmother’s been arrested, their father’s vanished, and Scotland feels like their last chance at safety. Clem clings to her notebook, recording their journey – until buried truths start surfacing. Told across dual timelines, this gripping novel for 12+ year olds unpacks displacement, resilience, and identity. Split into three parts, it’s a powerful look at survival and the personal cost of political turmoil.

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow and Joe Todd-Stanton

The end of Year 5 through to the end of primary school is told through fragments of life in this unique and powerful verse story. Nate thinks he’s ready for his final year, but that’s before his best friend since nursery drifts towards the school bully and his youngest brother falls ill. But his teacher, Mr Joshua, offers hope, by encouraging Nate’s creative writing. Accessible, powerful, and highly relatable. Year 6 children will empathise with Nate and the challenges he faces at home, his struggles with bullying at school, and deciphering what really matters between the ages of 10 and 11. Highly recommended for reading with UKS2 classes, The Final Year is 285 pages of verse story genius.

Featured in our Year 6 Reading List.

King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore

Anton is the self-proclaimed ruler and leader of Year 9 and with his friends, rules the school. But he faces a dilemma when he strikes up an unlikely friendship after a life-changing event. Will he remain loyal to his new friend or his previous reputation? Suitable for teen readers, this compelling contemporary comedy explores themes of friendship and identity and offers relatable insights into peer pressure and personal growth. Highly recommended for KS3 and KS4.

Featured in our Year 9 Reading List.

Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain

Sixteen-year-olds Mel and Sid’s first date on New Year’s Eve leads to an unplanned pregnancy – complicated by the fact that they live in Northern Ireland, where abortion is still illegal. Mel’s Catholic parents demand she keep the baby, while Sid’s feminist mother pushes for termination. Caught between family expectations and their own uncertain feelings, the two struggle to stay on the same page. Told from both perspectives, this raw, thought-provoking novel for 14+ year olds explores autonomy, responsibility, and the power of choice.

Featured in our Best Books of Spring 2024 list.

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald

Finlay and Banjo have spent most of their lives in the care system. Now, they’re trying to make it on their own. Finlay, a nursing student in Glasgow, is barely keeping up with work, studies, and survival. Banjo, still in high school, wrestles with anger and a past he can’t escape. As their stories unfold in dual timelines, their fractured bond – and the event that shattered it – comes into focus. It’s a powerful, deeply human novel for 14+ year olds about trauma, resilience, and finding where you belong.

Featured in our Best Books of Summer 2024 list.

All That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri

The death of their mother forces Mati, her father and her siblings to come to terms with loss and change as they travel to Zimbabwe. Mati is joined by a vibrant and powerful imaginary friend for the journey. Or could it be a ghost? A memorable YA novel with an unforgettable twist, All That It Ever Meant is told through London’s eyes but steeped in Zimbabwean culture. Beautifully written, this powerful and essential text is highly recommended for KS4 school libraries.

Featured in our Best Books of Autumn 2024 list.

Play by Luke Palmer

Four boys killing time in a small town dream of escape. Then Mark takes a side job for his brother’s associate – bad move. Suddenly, he’s in deep, and there’s no easy way out. Spanning ages 12 to 16, the story shifts between perspectives, digging into family, school, and the unspoken rules of masculinity. With themes of crime, drugs, and violence, it’s a gripping but hard-hitting read for KS4 readers. It’s perfect for sparking PSHE discussions with GCSE students. Highly recommended.

The Invisible Story by Jaime Gamboa and Wen Hsu Chen

The Invisible Story centres on a ghostly book that’s invisible to most – until a blind girl stumbles upon it. At first, it’s blank, but then it reveals itself in braille, proving stories can be told in all sorts of ways. It’s a beautiful exploration of inclusion and sight loss, showing how books can be ‘seen’ differently. The cut-paper illustrations with jewel-toned details add to the theme of invisibility. It’s ideal for discussion in KS1 and KS2.

Grey by Laura Dockrill and Lauren Child

Grey follows a child who feels emotionally grey in a world full of colour. It’s a thoughtful reminder that all emotions, even the dull or overwhelming ones, deserve attention. Through a heartwarming chat with a parent, the child learns that feelings, like colours, can shift – bright one moment, grey the next – but they’re all part of us. The simple die-cut illustrations, paired with bright colours, perfectly complement this uplifting message of acceptance and unconditional love.

Featured in our Best Books of Summer 2024 list.

I Love Books by Mariajo Ilustrajo

I Love Books tells the story of a young girl who isn’t keen on reading – until her sister takes her to the library. With the help of a mischievous fennec fox, she’s whisked away into colourful worlds through the magic of books. The illustrations shift from muted to vibrant colours, reflecting how her love for reading blooms. A lovely pick for less confident 3+ year old readers, this story shows how books can spark imagination and open up new adventures.

Clever Crow by Chris Butterworth and Olivia Lomenech Gill

Clever Crow explores the fascinating world of crows, showcasing their problem-solving skills, social lives, and sharp memories. The book presents these cool facts in a kid-friendly way, with easy-to-read text and thought-provoking illustrations. Olivia Lomenech Gill’s mixed-media artwork uses a soft colour palette to bring the crows to life. Perfect for young bird fans, it encourages 3+ year olds to notice and connect with the natural world around them.

Letters in Charcoal by Irene Vasco and Juan Palomino, translated by Lawrence Schimel

Letters in Charcoal is a heartfelt story set in Palenque, Colombia, where reading isn’t common. It follows a curious young girl who, intrigued by the love letters her sister receives, sets out to learn to read. With help from a kind shopkeeper, she begins to unlock the alphabet, discovering the life-changing power of literacy. Juan Palomino’s illustrations beautifully capture the Afro-Latine culture of Palenque, adding depth to this touching tale of hope, education, and connection.

Featured in our Best Books of Autumn 2023 list.

Homebody by Theo Parish

Homebody is a thoughtful and cozy graphic memoir following Theo Parish, a trans and non-binary individual, on their journey of self-discovery and identity. Through a metaphorical hike, Theo reflects on their past – art school, gaming, and learning to accept their body. The pastel illustrations and reflective text make it feel like a warm hug, while Theo’s house-like self-image symbolises their path to feeling truly at home. A beautifully affirming read for anyone exploring their own identity and freedom.

Featured in our Best Books of Summer 2024 list.

Wolf and Bear by Kate Rolfe

Wolf and Bear is a heartwarming tale of two best friends, exploring kindness and mental health. While Wolf’s energy contrasts with Bear’s sadness, the story shows how Bear’s emotional struggle lightens when he connects with Wolf’s song. Addressing depression with sensitivity, the book offers a gentle yet realistic portrayal of mental health. Rolfe’s stunning cyanotype illustrations add depth with a message that kindness truly matters.

Flying High by Cao Wenxuan and Yu Rong

Flying High follows a child who, left out of the town’s kite festival, learns to embrace their uniqueness with a little help from their imaginary bird friend, Wawa. The story dives into self-acceptance, loneliness, and personal growth. Cao Wenxuan’s gentle storytelling pairs perfectly with Yu Rong’s expressive illustrations, bringing the characters’ emotions to life. It’s a beautiful, thought-provoking tale about resilience and diversity – a thought-provoking read for 5+ year olds.