June 23, 2026
Over the 2024-2025 school year, our Quiz Writers read more than 1,100 books and wrote over 9,100 Accelerated Reader quiz questions for the UK! Read on to discover which books are the nominees and winners of this year’s Quiz Writers’ Choice awards. Look out for the brand-new category, the Social Impact Award, which is given to a stand-out children’s book that broadens perspectives, builds empathy and encourages young readers to think about fairness, belonging and the experiences of others.
As an extra treat for 2026, whether you are an AR customer or not, you can head over to the Take the Quiz page to take the quiz on all of this year’s winning books!
Primary Fiction
Nominees:
Oscar’s Lion by Adam Baron, illustrated by Benji Davies
LY | Quiz #270561 | BL 4.6 | HarperCollins Children’s Books
Oscar is a little terrified to find that a lion is going to be looking after him for the weekend. But he soon realises that being looked after by the lion is really fun.
Me and Aaron Ramsey by Manon Steffan Ros
MY | Quiz #270945 | BL 5.4 | Firefly Press
Sam and his dad both love football. That is, until Dad’s dreams of football stardom go wrong. Sam’s love for the football legend becomes tangled with his relationship with his father as things go south in their family life.
Winner:
Movies Showing Nowhere by Yorick Goldewijk, translated by Laura Watkinson
MY | Quiz #270410 | BL 4.7 | Pushkin
On the day Cate came into the world, her mum left it. Her dad is often distant and silent, so Cate keeps herself entertained with kung fu films, a pet rabbit and her photography, until a mysterious translator enters her life.
Secondary Fiction
Nominees:
A Season for Scandal by Laura Wood
UY | Quiz #270409 | BL 5.8 | Scholastic Ltd
Marigold Bloom finds her family business in trouble. Forced to masquerade as a newly engaged couple, it is up to Mari and Oliver to determine if there is an imposter in their midst.
Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
UY | Quiz #271139 | BL 6.7 | Penguin Books
When fourteen-year-old Ronny’s life is struck by tragedy, his mum decides it is finally time they move out of East London.
Winner:
Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan
UY | Quiz #270610 | BL 4.8 | Andersen Press
Con is stuck in a world of brutal gang violence, sectarian vendettas and personal tragedy, but when he hears about slam poetry, he begins to feel some hope for his future.
Primary Nonfiction
Nominees:
Prancing Pony by Becky Baines
LY | Quiz #270984 | BL 3.5 | DK (Dorling Kindersley)
This book teaches readers all about ponies, with the help of a hilarious naughty pony.
More than Meets the Eye series by Kirsty Holmes
MY | BookLife
This essential series discusses Autism and ADHD in a nuanced, compassionate way, highlighting the challenges and positives faced by those who have these conditions. They offer ideal starting points for discussion, understanding and empathy.
Winner:
Ghostly Graphics series by various authors
MY | Raintree
This multi-authored graphic novel series introduces readers to the origins of spine-chilling myths from around the world, including The Flying Dutchman, and La Llorona, including stories of personal encounters!
Secondary Nonfiction
Nominees:
Most Haunted Theatres by Yvette Fielding, illustrated by Hannah Shaw
MY+ | Quiz #270358 | BL 6.9 | Andersen Press
Yvette Fielding and her Most Haunted team are on a quest to uncover the ghostly histories of Britain’s theatres.
Everyday Action, Everyday Change: Stay Positive and Motivated in the Fight Against Racism and Prejudice by Natalie Evans and Naomi Evans
MY+ | Quiz #270649 | BL 6.9 | Wren & Rook
From racism and sexism to homophobia and ableism, this handbook offers children age-appropriate information, as well as achievable everyday actions they can do to help create change.
Winner:
Musical World by Jeffrey Boakye, illustrated by Ngadi Smart
UY | Quiz # 270470 | BL 7.8 | Faber and Faber
This book features 40 songs from modern history, touching on why they were celebrated or seen as problematic, their political and cultural impact, and their ongoing legacy today.
Best Debut
Nominees:
How Far We’ve Come by Joyce Efia Harmer
Upper Years | Quiz #270607 | BL 5.4 | Simon & Schuster Children’s
In 1834, Obah is enslaved on a plantation and dreams of freedom; hoping to give Obah a better life, Jacob takes her back to the 21st century with him.
Flora Stormer and the Golden Lotus by Isabella Harcourt
MY | Quiz #271062 | BL 5.8 | Orchard Books
Flora Stormer, a talented young artist with Tourette’s syndrome, helps her father prepare for an expedition to search for the legendary golden lotus.
Winner:
Lower Years | Quiz #270490 | BL 2.7 | Pushkin
The night before Liddy goes to the Dim Sum Palace with her family, she finds herself visiting a real palace.
Social Impact Award
Winner:
LY | Quiz #270391 | BL 3.8 | O’Brien Press Ltd.
When Falasteen and her classmates look at a map at school, Falasteen cannot find Palestine, so she turns to her family for answers and learns more about her people’s history and her place in the world.
