We are so pleased to share that five Andersen Press books have made the 2026 Carnegie Medals longlist.
Medal for Writing
The news was announced today that three of our titles made the longlist for the Carnegie Medal for Writing. J.P. Rose has been longlisted for her novel BIRDIE, a gripping tale of friendship and adventure which recently won the Diverse Book Award.
Kwame Alexander has been longlisted for his thrilling historical novel, BLACK STAR, set during the turbulent segregation era. Kwame’s prequel THE DOOR OF NO RETURN was previously shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing.
William Hussey has been longlisted for his novel THE BOY I LOVE, an inspiring story of forbidden love set against the First World War battlefront, praised by the Guardian as ‘profoundly moving’.
Medal for Illustration
We’re also thrilled that two titles have made the longlist for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration. Jenny Bloomfield has been longlisted for illustrating BE BACK SOON, a beautiful story following the migration of birds across cities, oceans, grasslands and jungle, written by Anna Wilson.
Dan Santat has been longlisted for illustrating DON’T TRUST FISH, a hilarious spoof non-fiction picture book written by Neil Sharpson about the villainy of fish, previously shortlisted for An Post Irish Book Award.
The Carnegies have been honouring outstanding writing and illustration for children and young people since 1936 and are judged solely by librarians. Previous Andersen Press titles that made the shortlist for the Medal include TREACLE TOWN by Brian Conaghan, SAFFIYAH’S WAR by Hiba Noor Khan, THE DOOR OF NO RETURN by Kwame Alexander, WHEN THE SKY FALLS by Phil Earle, CANE WARRIORS by Alex Wheatle and THE UNDEFEATED by Kadir Nelson.
The shortlist will be announced on Tuesday 10th of March 2026 and the winners of the Carnegie Medals will be announced at the annual ceremony on Tuesday 23rd of June. Congratulations to all the longlisted authors and illustrators on this much deserved recognition!
