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British Book Awards announced: What's been your book of the year so far?

A young person reading a book in their bedroom, with text on the image reading 'Join In'.Image source, Getty Images

Every year, lots of awards take place to celebrate the best books that have recently been released.

One of these is the British Book Awards, which has just announced the lists of books and authors up for the top prizes.

But we want to know what YOUR favourite books of the year have been so far.

It might be new releases that you've been reading from your school library, books that you're learning about in class or old favourites.

Comment below with the books you've enjoyed reading the most this year.

Media caption,

WATCH: Last year Newsround spoke to MC Grammar, one of the nominees, who gave some kids top tips on reading and rapping (from April 2025)

The British Book Awards have two big prizes for kids' books.

These are the Children's Non-Fiction & Illustrated category, which includes books based on real things as well as books with pictures, and the Children's Fiction prize, which is for the best made up stories.

The shortlists are:

Book of the Year - Children's Non-Fiction & Illustrated

  • Fold-Out + Play: Doll's House by Ingela P Arrhenius

  • My Rice Is Best by Selina Brown, illustrated by Maxwell A Oginni

  • Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

  • Sammy Feels Shy by Tom Percival

  • The Wizard's Guide to Magical Experiments by AJ Wood illustrated by Jo Rioux

  • You and Your Body by Dr Punam Krishan, illustrated by Verónika Cháves Morales

Book of the Year - Children's Fiction

  • A Language of Dragons by SF Williamson

  • Fearless by Lauren Roberts

  • Lottie Brooks vs the Ultra Mean Girls by Katie Kirby

  • Skandar and the Spirit War by AF Steadman

  • Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

  • The Adventures of Rap Kid by MC Grammar

Media caption,

WATCH: De-Graft gets a drawing masterclass from Mikey Please, who's nominated for Illustrator of the Year (from November 2025)

In the Illustrator of the Year category, Dog Man and Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey and Mikey Please are up for awards.

And AF Steadman is the only children's author to be nominated for the Author of the Year prize.

The overall winners will be chosen from a panel that includes Oti Mabuse from Strictly Come Dancing - sister of judge Motsi - Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith, and doctor, author and presenter Dr Ranj.

Philip Jones, chair of the judges at The British Book Awards, said: "These shortlists show the power of books to change lives, shape history and inform the future."