Every year we invite schools and youth groups to join our collection of judging panels from across the UK who pick the winner of the Young People's Book Prize.
Hundreds of judging panels receive a free set of shortlisted books – it’s a great opportunity to receive six brilliant books aimed at enthusing and exciting children about science.
To help ensure the programme reaches schools and young people who may benefit most, this year we are introducing a more targeted approach to judging panel recruitment and support. If the number of applications exceeds our capacity, judging panel places will be first given to schools that are new to the Young People's Book Prize and are located in areas of greater need. We would still encourage all schools and youth groups to apply.
How does it all work?
An adult panel of judges chooses a shortlist of six brilliant science books written in the previous year. Once these have been picked, we hand over the task of picking a winner to those who know best – young people aged up to 14 across the UK.
Judging panels can be in schools, libraries, science centres or youth groups: participation is open to any groups who are able to meet and discuss the shortlist and vote for what they think is the best book. will be open until 2 November, and we will contact all applicants by the end of November. Please contact us if you have any questions about your application.
Along with a set of the shortlisted books, successful judging panels will receive a judging pack with all the information they need to take part along with resources to support scientific literacy and oracy. Judging panels will have from January to May 2027 to read and judge the books.
Read more about this year's timeline for judging.
Each judging panel mirrors the shortlisting panel, electing their own Chair, holding judging meetings, discussing the merits of each book and submitting their vote and comments. All participating groups have an equal say in deciding the winner.
The results from all the groups are then collated by us to determine the winner which will be announced in June 2027.
We ask that each judging panel is overseen by a responsible adult, who will ensure the judges provide their decision, and supporting comments and information to us.
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