The Young People's Book Prize aims to promote literacy in young people and inspire them to read about science. It also supports the writing of excellent, accessible STEM books for under-14s. Each year, the winner is selected by judging panels made up of thousands of young people at schools across the UK from a shortlist selected by an adult panel.
Schools and youth groups were able to apply to be a judging panel. Successful judging panels receive a set of the shortlisted books, along with STEM resources and judging guidance to help them select their winner. Find out more about applying to be a school or youth group judging panel.
A shortlisting panel made up of scientists, authors and a teacher whittles down dozens of titles to six of the year’s most fascinating books. The 2025 panel brings together Professor Tamsin Mather, Fellow of the Royal Society and volcanologist; Professor Steve Brusatte, dinosaur expert and author; Helen Cooper, children's illustrator and author; Dr Betina Ip, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow and visual neuroscientist; and Vicky Walsh, primary school teacher and science lead. Read more about the 2025 shortlisting panel here.
Panels of young judges, drawn from hundreds of schools, science centres, and community groups from across the UK, then read the shortlisted books and declare their champion. Read more about the 2024 shortlisted books here.
2024 winner
‘Can You Get Rainbows in Space?’ by Dr Sheila Kanani MBE has been revealed as the winner of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2024.
The announcement was made at a ceremony at the Glasgow Science Centre, where over 150 students from local schools and judging panels gathered to meet the shortlisted authors and crown their winner.
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