The 2023 awards mark the inaugural year of The Week Junior Book Awards. The eight Book of the Year winners, were decided by separate panels of judges.
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Children’s Book of the Year: Younger Fiction (6–9 year-olds)
Children’s Book of the Year: Older Fiction (9–12 year-olds)
Children’s Book of the Year: Younger Non-Fiction (6–9 year-olds)
Children’s Book of the Year: Older Non-Fiction (9–12 year-olds)
Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year
Children’s Book of the Year: Breakthrough sponsored by World Book Day
Children’s Book of the Year: STEM in association with The Week Junior Science + Nature magazine
Children’s Audiobook of the Year
Children’s Book Cover of the Year sponsored by Bookily by National Book Tokens (voted for by The Week Junior readers)
This category rewards the entry that demonstrates the highest standards of storytelling, captivating readers from start to finish with a well-crafted plot, exceptional writing, and diverse and engaging characters. It must be perfectly pitched for the interests and average reading ability of children aged six-to-nine. Eligible titles must be of a primarily literary nature but may include limited black and white and two-tone illustrations
The Mistrys are off on holiday, in the fifth hilarious mystery in the award-winning Anisha, Accidental Detective series! TWJ judges said : "More comic capers abound when the Mistrys go off on holiday and there’s another manic mystery to solve.”
This category rewards the entry that demonstrates the highest standards of storytelling, captivating readers from start to finish with a well-crafted plot, exceptional writing, and diverse and engaging characters. It must be perfectly pitched for the interests and average reading ability of children aged nine-to-12. Eligible titles must be of a primarily literary nature but may include limited black and white and two-tone illustrations
Chosen by our Guest Editor for May 2023, Jacqueline Wilson,as one of her must-reads - "He’s written about cats in his Varjak Paw stories. This is a novel in an alternative world about two children and a huge mythical Tyger – it’s brilliant." &...
This award honours the best book of non-fiction for readers in this age range. The winning work will surprise and delight readers, rewarding their curiosity and helping them make sense of their world. It must be perfectly pitched for the interests and average reading ability of children aged six-to-nine. Eligible titles include black and white non-fiction and non-fiction with limited black and white or two-tone illustrations. Please note that non-fiction books exploring STEM subjects should be entered in the STEM category.
This innovative book includes a foreword from mindfulness expert Wynne Kinder, and details projects, ideas and activities to help children feel positive, confident, focused, calm and included.
This award honours the best book of non-fiction for readers in this age range. The winning work will surprise and delight readers, rewarding their curiosity and helping them make sense of their world. It must be perfectly pitched for the interests and average reading ability of children aged nine-to-12. Eligible titles include black and white non-fiction and non-fiction with limited black and white or two-tone illustrations. Please note that non-fiction books exploring STEM subjects should be entered in the STEM category.
Find out the fascinating stories of ten real-life dragons, the myths and legends surrounding them, their discoveries and how they survive today. This book brings together the stories of ten real-life dragons, with fascinating facts mixed with some folklore. There are also tales of how these extraordinary creatures were discovered and about their adaptations for surviving in ...
This award recognises the creativity and craft involved in producing books for older children in which illustration plays a key and prominent part. The winning entry will boast appealing and original artwork and a deft and dynamic combination of words and pictures that both enhance and enrich a child’s reading experience. Eligible titles include gift books, graphic novels, comics and illustrated editions for independent readers.
Dooley is an Irish autistic author and illustrator who writes with authority, empathy and humour about the world as viewed by Frankie. Frankie believes she is an alien; she is the smallest person in her class – and she is accused of talking too much! But really all she is different – neurodivergent, though it is not until nearly ...
This award celebrates fresh talent by shining a light on the début author who demonstrates the very best in new writing for children. We’re looking for works of fiction that will absorb and enthral readers, introducing them to compelling characters, diverse experiences and surprising stories.
There’s an absolute bumper crop of brilliant books out this summer, but my pick has to be the first in a brand new series, The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries by JT Williams (June, Farshore). The story is set in C18th London, and centres around Lizzie Sancho, and her friend Dido Belle as they try ...
In association with The Week Junior Science+Nature magazine, this award celebrates excellence in engaging children with STEM subjects. The winner will be a book that explains big ideas clearly, engagingly and accessibly, encouraging readers’ curiosity, sparking their imaginations, inspiring further inquiry and prompting them to share their newfound knowledge. Eligible titles include works of fiction and non-fiction that focus primarily on STEM topics, including climate change and environmental issues.
What TWJ judges said - "Join an astronaut in this day-in-the-life book which explores space through comic-strip style artwork and engaging stories and characters"
This award recognises excellence in storytelling, sound and production for children. The winning entry will offer a completely immersive audio experience that transports young listeners away from their everyday lives and into other worlds, lives and stories. Qualifying entries must also be available in print in the UK and for sale as CDs and/or in digital format (excluding podcasts). English language only.
On this adventure we're going to travel all around the globe and learn more about the seven natural wonders of the world! Dive amongst the coral in the weird and wonderful Great Barrier Reef in sunny Australia, climb to the coldest heights of Mount Everest, and strap in for some splashingly good fun down the rapids at The Grand Canyon. ...
The only award voted for by The Week Junior’s readers, this trophy will be awarded to the cover that children deem to be the most creative, eye-catching and appealing to its intended audience. A unique opportunity to gain kudos from such a large-scale consumer audience, and the chance to feature in our large-scale print and digital campaign reaching thousands.
Some legends are born, some are drawn . . . Famous works of art are disappearing from all over the world. One moment they are there, the next, they have crumbled to dust. Peanut Jones and her friends suspect it might have something to do with the magical world of Chroma and the wicked Mr White's plot to wipe out colour, art ...
The Week Junior Book Awards were launched in 2023 to celebrate the uplifting, enriching, and life-enhancing power of books to change children’s lives and honour the talented people who create them. They continue The Week Junior magazine’s mission to promote the power of reading for pleasure by helping children discover the best books for them.
