Storyhouse is proud to welcome back the biggest year yet for the School Book Awards, organised and ran by Cheshire West & Chester Council Libraries, for its 20th Anniversary.
Just 1 in 3 children and young people aged 8-18 now say that they enjoy reading in their free time – that’s over a third less than this time 20 years ago. This is the driver behind the National Year of Reading, a year long celebration across UK libraries and schools aimed at inspiring the next generation of avid readers – and this year, we’re sticking to the theme and “going all in”!
2026’s Cheshire School Book Awards marks 20 years of the CSBAs, and to celebrate is going bigger and better than ever. This year will see more schools take part than ever before, with over 35 schools from across Cheshire bringing more than 400 young people to explore the Storyhouse library, meet their favourite authors, and vote on their top reads this May.
The young people will have the opportunity to engage directly with this year’s guest authors in a series of workshops and book signings, as well as take home some new books from the pop up bookshop that will be taking over the Storyhouse Kitchen. Among this year’s guest authors include bestsellers Ravena Guron (This Book Kills, Catch Your Death, Mondays Are Murder); Sophie Jo (Red Flags, Heartbreak Era); and Louisa Reid (Gloves Off, Wrecked, Activist), whose novels are also being voted on as the young people’s favourites in the grand award ceremony.
Susannah Hill, Lead Librarian across Cheshire Libraries, said: “We are so excited to be able to hold our 20 year celebration day of the Cheshire Schools’ Book Award at Storyhouse this year. The award is entirely student led, with the shortlisted books being nominated and the winners chosen by young people at our subscribing high schools. It’s going to be a day to remember!”
“Storyhouse is proud to host this year’s Cheshire Schools’ Book Award celebration as part of our commitment to reading, storytelling and young people’s creativity,” says Storyhouse CEO Annabel Turpin. “As both a library and a cultural centre, we see every day how books can open up confidence, curiosity and connection, and it’s especially meaningful to welcome an award that is led and judged by young people themselves. The event also reflects the spirit of our Literature Festival, which brings writers, readers and communities together through a shared love of stories.”