More than 400 pupils gathered at Storyhouse Chester as the Cheshire Schools’ Book Award celebrated its 20th anniversary during the National Year of Reading.
The celebration brought together 29 schools from Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington for a day built around books, authors and student choice. Cheshire Education Library Service said the 2026 awards also saw record participation, with 36 secondary schools taking part across the programme.
Authors, workshops and a theatre ceremony
The anniversary event included author workshops, talks, book-themed activities and tours before the awards ceremony in Storyhouse’s main theatre.
Shortlisted authors Ravena Guron, Sophie Jo, Marisa Linton, Louisa Reid and Jenny Pearson attended, meeting pupils during the day and signing books before the winners were announced. Students were able to speak directly with writers whose books had been nominated and discussed in schools.
The 2026 winners were The Vulpine by Polly Crosby in the younger category and Traumaland by Josh Silver in the older category. The runners-up were Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson and Mondays Are Murder by Ravena Guron.
A book award chosen by pupils
The Cheshire Schools’ Book Award is student-led, with pupils nominating and voting for the titles they want to champion. That gives the shortlist a different shape from prizes chosen by adult judging panels: the books that progress are the ones being passed between students, debated in classrooms and recommended to friends.
Schools responding after the Storyhouse event described pupils enjoying the chance to meet authors and spend the day with other young readers. Helsby High School said students “loved it”, while Bishop Heber High School said pupils had already asked to return next year.
Reading support across Cheshire schools
Cheshire Education Library Service thanked Storyhouse for hosting the celebration and Nantwich Bookshop for helping pupils buy books during the day.
The service continues to work with subscribing schools across the region on reading for pleasure and literacy development. Residents can access shortlisted titles by joining their local library through Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Source: Cheshire West and Chester Council
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This article was prepared from the Cheshire West and Chester Council notice and checked against the event details provided there.
- Confirmed the event location as Storyhouse Chester.
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- Cheshire West and Chester Council
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- 2026-06-03 12:42
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