Blue Peter Book Awards 2018

Tales of unexplained phenomenon and magical witches and warriors took the top spots, with Real-Life Mysteries and The Wizards of Once voted for by over 500 children.

The judging panel was made up of writer Laura Dockrill, school librarian Amy McKay and broadcasters Greg James and Chris Smith.

Although the judges chose the shortlist, the winning titles were selected by hundreds of children from 12 schools across the UK. They read the shortlisted books and voted for their favourite in each category...

The authors went on to receive their awards on Blue Peter, in a World Book Day special in March.

Get updates on this year's Blue Peter Book Awards

For more information, you can also follow @BookTrust on Twitter and visit the official Blue Peter website.

Blue Peter Book Awards 2018 – Best Story

Winner: The Wizards of Once

By Cressida Cowell, Hodder Children's Books

The Blue Peter Book Award for Best Story 2018 was The Wizards of Once. Cowell’s latest book tells the tale of Xar and Wish, a young boy Wizard and a young girl Warrior who have been taught since birth to hate each other like poison; and the thrilling tale of what happens when their two worlds collide.

Discussing the award, Cressida said: 'I am delighted, grateful and proud to have won this year’s Blue Peter Award for The Wizards of Once. Blue Peter was a huge part of my childhood, and I’m thrilled as nine-year-old me, as well as the grown-up author... Thank you so much to the kids who took the time to read and vote [and] the teachers and librarians who do so much to support the award in schools...'

Find out more about The Wizards of Once

Cressida Cowell on how to create your own fantasy world

Shortlisted books

The Island at the End of Everything

Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Amihan lives on the secluded island of Culion with her sick mum, who has leprosy. But when the government decides the island must be quarantined, Ami and all the children who don’t have the disease are forced to leave – while her mum must stay behind, along with everything Ami has ever known.

Wed Wabbit

Author: Lissa Evans

Don't be fooled by the cutesy title. The particularly 'Wabbit' in the story is anything but sweet! Fidge is a clever, slightly cynical 11 year old who is flung into the world of her little sister Minnie's favourite story - the world of the Wimbley Woos.

Blue Peter Book Awards 2018 – Best Book with Facts

Winner: Real-Life Mysteries

By Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker, b small

The Blue Peter Book Award 2018 winner for Best Book with Facts is Real-Life Mysteries. This book is full of evidence about mysterious unsolved cases and encourages you to make up your own mind: from mysteries such as Shackleton's ghostly companion to the Loch Ness Monster.

Author Susan Martineau said: 'It’s... so brilliant there is an award for a book with facts, as well as a fiction prize. Non-fiction doesn’t just tell you stuff, it can fire your imagination and get you thinking in new ways too.'

Illustrator Vicky Barker added: “I am absolutely over the moon to have won the Blue Peter Book Award! I was a huge fan of Blue Peter as a child, so this is such a fantastic honour. Thank you to all of the budding new investigators that chose Real-Life Mysteries!'

Find out more about Real-Life Mysteries

10 real-life mysteries that no one has ever solved

Shortlisted books

Beyond the Sky: You and the Universe

Author: Dara Ó’Briain Illustrator: Dan Bramall

Beginning with the question, 'So you want to go into space?', this book takes readers on a fascinating and hilarious journey through the solar system and beyond.

Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Scientists

Author: Adam and Lisa Murphy

A fun and funky graphic exploration of some of the greatest scientists you’ve ever heard of – and maybe a few you haven’t!

Judges

The winners for the Blue Peter Book Awards were picked by over 500 children in 12 schools across the UK, while the shortlist was selected by a panel of expert judges.

Ewan Vinnicombe
Editor, Blue Peter

Ewan Vinnicombe has been Blue Peter Editor since 2013. Ewan is also the Head of Presentation for CBeebies and CBBC and, in his 17 years at the BBC, has worked on shows including Record Breakers, The Saturday Show and Live & Kicking.

Laura Dockrill
Performance poet, author/illustrator and short story writer

Laura is the author of the Darcy Burdock series and YA novels, Lorali and Aurabel. She is also a poet and has written her first children's collection, My Mum's Growing Down.

Greg James and Chris Smith
Radio and TV broadcasters

Together on Greg’s show and in their weekly podcast, Chris and Greg are responsible for some of radio's most ludicrous games and characters, which genuinely wouldn't make any sense if we tried to explain them here. Their debut children’s book, Kid Normal, was published on 13th July 2017.

Amy McKay
School librarian

Amy McKay has been a school librarian in Northamptonshire for 12 years. She loves everything about her job and was named SLA School Librarian of the Year in 2016. She is also the National Coordinator of the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals. A self-confessed book addict.

More about the Blue Peter Book Awards

Try our fun 2018 book resources

The Wizards of Once: word search

Can you find all the words listed below?
The Wizards of Once: Lost Words

Link lost and endangered words to their meaning, based on Cressida Cowell's book
Teachers' notes on Real-Life Mysteries

Can YOU explain the unexplained? Some fun notes for teachers, for class discussion
Poster for Real-Life Mysteries

Tips for investigators: something to put up in your classroom
Teachers' notes for The Island at the End of Everything

Great discussion points when discussion the book by Kiran Millwood Hargrave as a class.