Bristol Teen Book Award 2026: Local Schools Invited to Attend Award Ceremony
The Bristol Teen Book Award (BTBA) returns in 2026, with local schools invited to attend the Award Ceremony on Thursday 12 February 2026 at Redland Green School, Bristol.
Now in its eighth year, the Bristol Teen Book Award is run by a team of volunteer school librarians as part of the School Library Association West of England Branch. The Award recognises excellent literature for teenagers, with a longstanding focus on diversity, representation, and books that reflect a wide range of experiences.
Books on the BTBA shortlist are nominated through an open process by students, teachers, and librarians in Bristol and the surrounding area. The final shortlist is selected by the BTBA team based on agreed award criteria, including suitability for teen readers, literary merit, and overall appeal. The winning title is chosen entirely by student vote, and voting is open until Saturday 7th February 2026.
Six books have been shortlisted for the BTBA 2026:
King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness
Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
The Twelve by Liz Hyder
The Boy I Love by William Hussey
On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop
You Wouldn’t Catch Me Dead by Tess James-Mackey
The 2026 Award Ceremony will feature a Q&A with shortlisted authors Nevin Holness, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, and Liz Hyder, with local author Ash Bond acting as compere. Students attending can enjoy interactive activities, meet authors, and purchase signed books from independent bookseller Storysmith, available on the day.
The Bristol Teen Book Award offers an exciting opportunity for schools to support literacy and reading for pleasure and empowers young people to engage critically with books and have their voices heard. The award relies on the generous support of local businesses and organisations, demonstrating Bristol’s shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of readers.
For updates, follow @BristolTeenBookAward on Instagram or use #BTBA2026.
