Harrow Junior Book Award
The Harrow Junior Book award was launched in 2015 by the school library service. It takes place on an annual basis. It is a chance for schools to introduce year 5 and 6 pupils to some of the best new children's fiction and to vote for a winner at the end of the process.
Taking part in the award is not only an excellent way to promote reading for pleasure, but also encourages young readers to broaden their reading experience by exploring different writing styles and fiction genres. Six exciting and demanding reads have been selected from the most talented and exciting authors currently writing for children, whose books draw inspiration from true events and real-world settings, myths, legends, and fantasy across time and space.
Shortlisted titles for the Harrow Junior Book Award 2026
We are delighted to announce the shortlist of this year’s Harrow Junior Book Award, an annual prize for the best children’s fiction book decided by children in years 5 and 6.
Included in this year’s selection are
- After by Pádraig Kenny is a thrilling sci-fi adventure, set in a world strangely empty of people and all technology. Jen and her father are making their way across a deserted world after a technological collapse brought civilization as people knew it to an end. The Flood took out all all technology, but also many people who were connected to a central information hive. Those who are left behind must find each other and build a new life.
- The Beanstalk Murder by P.G. Bell is a Giant-Sized Whodunnit, a hilarious murder-mystery set in a fairytale world which begins when a dead giant falls from the sky, flattening most of the village where Anwen lives with her
grandmother, a meadow-witch. - I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery is the exciting story of a remarkable farm dog and his extraordinary courage and loyalty to the boy who runs away to fight in the rebellion against the king’s army. The story of his quest to rescue Tom is told simply and movingly by Rebel as the events unfold in a heart-warming and unforgettable adventure.
- Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson: is set in Lewisham during the Blitz, the story focuses on Ronnie and his friends and their experiences living through the bombing. The destruction of the Blitz and challenging relationships are counterbalanced by moments of laugh-out loud humour as the story races towards an exciting climax.
- Hunt for the Golden Scarab by M.G. Leonard is the first in a new series Time Keys. Twelve-year-old Sim has always wondered why his mum is so guarded, constantly looking out for danger wherever they have lived. She has trained him in martial arts and encouraged him always to be alert, even in their own apartment above the museum where she works. Desperate to keep the magical Ancient Egyptian scarab out of the hands of the dangerous agents of the Council of Keys, Sim and his friends must travel back to the tomb of Nefertiti and solve an ancient mystery before it is too late.
- The Boy with Big Decisions by Helen Rutter is a hilarious choose-your-own adventure which begins when Fred is standing at the bus stop on his first day at secondary school. He sees a school uniform jumper from the comprehensive lying on the ground. Could he put on the jumper and get on a different bus to the school he liked after all?
The judging of the award takes place from November to May each year culminating in an award ceremony attended by all the participating schools with a guest of honour. We are delighted to announce that last year’s winning author, Chrisopher Edge will be joining us for this special celebration on Friday 14th June 2024.
The award timetable:
- 10th November 2025: Announcement of the Harrow Junior Award Shortlist
- 24th November 2025 - 22nd May 2026: Judging of the shortlist
- 8th June 2026: Award ceremony with guest of honour Lucy Strange.
How to participate
Participation is free for subscribing schools and other primary schools are encouraged to join in by subscribing to our Enrichment Activities package which includes the Harrow Junior Book Award.
Please contact Harrow School Library Service if your school would like to take part in this year’s award: 0203 714 7739 school.library@harrowlibraries.org.uk
Harrow Picture Book Award
The Harrow Picture Book Award was launched in Spring 2023 and is aimed at KS1. The award aims to introduce younger children to some of the wonderful picture books currently being published, and to encourage reading for pleasure through the sharing and enjoyment of six outstanding books on a chosen theme.
Harrow Picture Book Award 2026 Shortlist
We are delighted to announce the Harrow Picture Book Award shortlist for 2026. This year all six books share the theme of transport, taking our young readers around the world, out into space and even back in time through engaging stories and exceptional illustrations.
Included in this year’s selection are
- Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name by Yasmin Hanif and illustrated by Sophie Benmouyal: a little boy is thrilled to receive a teddy bear for his Eid present, which is even more precious because it used to belong to his abba. His father encourages him to choose a name – but none of the names he or his classmates can think of feel quite right. In the end Abdullah discovers something very important about his own family and identity – he picks a name like his own, from his own family story.
- The Lost Property Office by Emily Rand: starts in a very busy station. A little girl and her mummy are on their way to Grandpa’s house, but in all the excitement teddy is left behind on the train. Happily, Grandpa knows exactly where teddy might be, and the next day they set off to visit the Lost Property office.
- Hop Lola Hope by Kathy Urban and Siski Kalla. Lola is a mischievous toy bunny who becomes separated from her very best friend, the little girl who loves her when they are out in the town. Once Lola realises that she is all alone, she sets off to find Ella, visiting all their favourite places as she searches. This is an ideal story for discussion of emotions around being lost and losing something precious.
- The Dolls' House by Tanya Rosie is a heart-warming story of a dolls’ house rescued from the rubbish by a little girl who has just moved house. It sits on the porch of the house, and as Mia repaints and mends it, more and more children in the neighbourhood come to play with it and they have wonderful games all summer.
- I Follow the Fox by Rob Biddulph is a beautifully illustrated wintry story in which a little boy’s tox fox is accidentally left in the park. That night, the boy dreams of a real fox, calling to him to come out through the snowy streets of the town, back to the park.
- The Forever Bear by Lu Fraser begins when a young boy visits Mr B’s House of Bears to find his ideal birthday present, a bear to share all his hopes and dreams, and the one that will be his ‘forever bear’.
The judging process for this award is intended to be very flexible and inclusive, and capable of being adapted to suit the children involved. The aim is for teachers and librarians to read all six books with the children who then vote to decide on their top three. A teachers’ resource pack is provided containing activities to help the children to explore the stories and illustrations in more depth.
At the end of six weeks of reading and voting, all the children participating are invited to an online celebration with a guest of honour, an author, illustrator or storyteller for the children to meet, after which the winning picture book is announced.
If your school would be interested in taking part, please contact Harrow School Library Service on school.library@harrowlibraries.org.uk