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Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards

The Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards celebrate the best in children's literature written by emerging writers. Featuring the best in picture books, books for young readers, and young adult reads, these winners showcase the brightest in fiction that will inspire the next generation of readers for years to come.

Barnes & Noble Children's and YA Book Awards Overall Winner School for Thieves. Shop Now.
Barnes & Noble Children's and YA Book Awards Overall Winner School for Thieves. Shop Now.

2026 B&N Children's & YA Book Award Shortlist

Young Reader

From magic to mystery to mythology and more, these books take young readers on adventures near and far, from mystical fantasy realms to their own backyards.

Bunns Rabbit
Bunns Rabbit
Alan Barillaro
Bunns Rabbit
Hardcover
$18.99
Dragonborn
Dragonborn
Struan Murray
Struan Murray's Dragonborn Series
Hardcover
$16.99
$19.99
Mayowa and the Sea of Words
Mayowa and the Sea of Words
Chibundu Onuzo
Paperback
$7.49
$9.99
The School for Thieves
The School for Thieves
Peter Burns
The School for Thieves
Hardcover
$15.99
$18.99
Barnes & Noble Children's and YA Book Awards Picture Book Winner, Broken. Shop Now.
Barnes & Noble Children's and YA Book Awards Picture Book Winner, Broken. Shop Now.

2026 B&N Children's & YA Book Award Shortlist

Picture Books

Picture books are the doorway to a lifelong love of reading, opening endless possibilities with their engaging storylines and playful illustrations.

If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone
If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone
Gideon Sterer
Hardcover
$19.99
Bartleby
Bartleby
Matt Phelan
Hardcover
$18.99
Hogbert
Hogbert
Briony May Smith
Hardcover
$18.99
Broken
Broken
X. Fang
Hardcover
$18.99
Barnes & Noble Children's and YA Book Awards YA Winner. The Secret Astronomers. Shop Now.
Barnes & Noble Children's and YA Book Awards YA Winner. The Secret Astronomers. Shop Now.

2026 B&N Children's & YA Book Award Shortlist

Young Adult

These thrilling, fantastical and relatable stories have the power to transport and transform, empowering young adults both on and off the page.

A Stage Set for Villains
A Stage Set for Villains
Shannon J. Spann
Hardcover
$19.99
$22.99
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire
Don Martin
Hardcover
$18.99
Thorn Season
Thorn Season
Kiera Azar
Thorn Season Series
Hardcover
$19.99
The Secret Astronomers
The Secret Astronomers
Jessica Walker
Hardcover
$19.99

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2025 B&N Children's & YA Book Award Winners

Our 2025 overall winner was The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz. Our Young Reader Winner was Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna. Don't Let the Forest In by CG Drews was our 2025 YA Winner. The Barnes & Noble Children’s & YA Book Awards discovers, champions, and celebrates the very best in Children’s publishing in three categories: Picture Books, Young Readers and YA.

The Bakery Dragon
The Bakery Dragon
Devin Elle Kurtz
The Bakery Dragon
Hardcover
$18.99
Vanya and the Wild Hunt
Vanya and the Wild Hunt
Sangu Mandanna
Vanya Vallen Adventures
Hardcover
$17.99
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Don't Let the Forest In
Don't Let the Forest In
CG Drews
Paperback
$12.99
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From the B&N Blog

The 2026 Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards Winners

The 2026 Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards Winners

By Nina Braca|May 20, 2026
The 2026 Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards celebrate the best in children’s literature written by emerging writers. We are delighted to share this year’s winners, which showcase the brightest in fiction that will inspire the next generation of readers.
Read More
The School for Thieves: A Guest Post by Peter Burns

The School for Thieves: A Guest Post by Peter Burns

By Isabelle McConville|May 20, 2026
Read on for an exclusive essay from Peter Burns on writing The School for Thieves, the overall winner of the 2026 Children's & YA Book Awards!
Read More
Broken: A Guest Post by X. Fang

Broken: A Guest Post by X. Fang

By Isabelle McConville|May 20, 2026
This sweet and touching story about emotions follows a little girl who learns about forgiveness after accidentally breaking her ama’s favorite cup. Warm, tender and informative, little ones will learn the power of honesty and communication in this gorgeous picture book. Read on for an exclusive essay from X. Fang on writing Broken, the picture book winner of the 2026 Children's & YA Book Awards!
Read More
The Secret Astronomers: A Guest Post by Jessica Walker

The Secret Astronomers: A Guest Post by Jessica Walker

By Isabelle McConville|May 20, 2026
Two students at Green Bank High School communicate through an old textbook using notes, drawings and secrets to bring them together for a heartfelt story of connection and self-discovery. Read on for an exclusive essay from Jessica Walker on writing The Secret Astronomers, the Young Adult Winner of the 2026 Children's & YA Book Awards!
Read More

Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards


Come celebrate the winners of the Barnes & Noble Children’s and YA Book Awards! Discover the best books in children’s publishing that have made the cut this year. Our Children’s and YA Book Awards categories include Best Picture Books, Best Young Reader Books, and Best YA Books. Our Picture Books shortlist combines exciting visual storytelling with fun ways to learn and develop for our very youngest readers. We have our Best Young Reader Books that appeal to our independent readers through magic, myth, and real-life choices. Lastly, we have the Best YA Book Awards for books that reflect increasingly mature and intelligent publishing, with hard-hitting plotlines and complex characterization that encourages and uplifts. If you’re interested in expanding your children's or teen’s libraries with the best books, check out Barnes & Noble Children’s and YA Book Awards Shortlist.