Here’s the longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.

The National Book Foundation revealed the longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature on September 15, 2026.

This list includes ten books selected from 290 submissions by publishers.

The National Book Award is a prestigious literary prize in the United States, recognizing outstanding works in various categories, including young people’s literature.

The Young People’s Literature category focuses on books aimed at readers aged 10 to 18, though some titles may appeal to older or younger audiences.

The longlist serves as a preliminary selection, narrowing down the field before finalists and winners are announced.

The judges for this year’s category are Edith Campbell, Brandy Colbert (Chair), Tricia Ebarvia, Jarrett J.

Krosoczka, and Anne Ursu, who will evaluate the books based on literary merit.