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The Diverse Book Awards 2026 Longlist

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The 2026 longlist of The Diverse Book Awards were announced, and these are a great selection of diverse reads that you should definitely check out!

Created by award-winning author Abiola Bello and award-winning publicist Helen Lewis and co-founders of The Author School, this award aims to highlight the best of the diverse voices published in the UK & Ireland, this year focusing on those published during 2025, both traditionally and self-published. And just like last year, the DBAs is giving readers a chance to vote for their favorites with The Readers” Choice Awards. Click on the link to start voting for your favorites! And this year included diverse nonfiction titles!

The shortlist will be announced on September 24 and the winners will be announced at a ceremony on October 22. And now without further ado, here is the longlist:

All links will lead to either Bookshop.org or Waterstones. If you purchase through the links, this blog will receive a commission.

Picture Book

Carnival Queen by Donette Williams- Harry and illustrated by Amélie-Anne Calmo 

Join Kayla, Mommy, and Granny as they get ready for Carnival, the biggest party of the year!

It’s Carnival day, and Kayla is SO excited! She helps Granny cook, and she waits patiently as Mommy puts colorful beads in her hair. But when Kayla gets dressed in her glittery, colorful costume and starts to dance around the house, she accidentally rips the material. Mommy and Granny try to fix it, but it’s still not quite right. At the celebration, Kayla asks for help from the other mas bands (celebrants in elaborate costumes). This colorful, inspiring celebration of carnival includes back matter on carnival celebrations in different parts of the world.

A joyful celebration of community, courage, ancestry, and the most vibrant event of the year! With back matter introducing traditional holiday celebrations all around the world. (Credit: Tiger Tales)

The Beautiful Layers of Me by Sophia Payne and illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane

Celebrate each other’s unique identity in this authentic, reassuring and sensitively told story written by Sophia Payne and with evocative illustrations from Ruchi Mhasane. This is a must-have picture book for every child battling with their self-esteem or anxiety about wearing cultural dress, and anyone learning to build tolerance, empathy and understanding of everybody’s background.

Ameena can’t wait for her aunty’s wedding. She is wearing a brand-new salwar kameez – the layers of floaty fabric filled with pretty patterns make her feel like a princess. But when someone comments on her “pyjamas”, she loses all confidence, fearing that her friends might not accept her traditional clothing. Through courage, family love and self-belief, Ameena discovers what it means to take pride in the beautiful layers of her heritage, especially in the face of difficult comments. (Credit: Walker Books)

Children

My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle

My name is Samim.

I’m thirteen years and three months old, I love chess — and I’m a refugee.

I was happy in Afghanistan, until the day bombs ripped my life apart. I escaped with my best friend Zayn, hoping to find safety in the UK. But the journey was dangerous and we lost so much along the way.

Now I’m here, trying to make new friends and a new home, but will the authorities let me stay? First, I must tell my story. Are you ready to hear it?

Champions of the Galaxy by Tolá Okogwu 

Earth has never been in more trouble. The Galactic Syndicate is unhappy with the danger humans pose to the rest of the galaxy and is planning to annex Earth and eradicated its human inhabitants…unless humans can redeem themselves. In the Terra Trials, fifteen of Earth’s smartest and bravest children from across the world must compete in humanity’s last chance to save itself.

Enter Kola Adesola. Kola is not chosen as a Terra Champion…but his sister is. And if there’s one thing Kola’s going to do, it’s protect his sister. After stowing away on the transporter that takes his sister to the mother ship, Kola gets a whole lot more than he bargained for and must enter the competition himself.

But all is not as it seems aboard the ship. Strange things keep happening and their alien hosts seem more invested in stoking the friction between the champions than helping them succeed. Kola must rely on his relationships and his determination to uncover the truth, making him question whether the Terra Trials are just a front for something bigger… (Credit: Margaret K. McElderry Books)

​Teen & Young Adult

Mondays Are Murder by Ravena Guron

Seventeen-year-old Kay left her sleepy hometown after the devastating death of her friend, Ivy. But when her parents go on holiday without her, Kay is forced to come back to stay with her cousin. And her return comes with a bang. Because when Kay arrives, it’s to find an anonymous letter on her bed.

The letter tells her that there will be a thrill on Tuesday, a wreckage on Wednesday, treachery on Thursday, a fire on Friday, sabotage on Saturday, a stabbing on Sunday – and her murder on Monday.

And if Kay can’t figure out who is behind the threats, the worst day of the week is about to get deadly. (Credit: Usbourne Publishing)

You can preorder the US edition here.

Roar by Manjeet Mann

Rizu lives a comfortable life in the gated middle class suburbs of Delhi; her biggest worries are getting her homework done and keeping up with the mean girls at school. That is, until she’s accused of being a witch and the hysteria that follows triggers a chain reaction that ends in tragedy and life as she knew it changes forever.

Alone and fearing for her life, Rizu runs away and joins a group of pink sari wearing, stick wielding women, known for their revenge vigilantism. Together they can help Rizu take back her life and seek justice against those who wronged her.

Because sometimes you have to run through the streets and ROAR. (Credit: Penguin Random House UK)

You can pre-order the US edition here.

Adult

The Kill List by Nadine Matheson

He will come for them, one by one…

Five shocking murders

Twenty-five years ago, DCI Harry Rhimes arrested Andrew Streeter for the brutal murders of five young people. Streeter’s ‘kill list’ of victims was found in his home, and he was convicted of all five crimes.

A legacy under threat

Now, Streeter’s convictions are being overturned, as new evidence implies the original investigation was corrupt. No one is more shocked that DI Henley. Because this case is personal; Rhimes was her old boss, and he’s no longer alive to defend himself. But when the killings start up again, Henley must face the truth: Rhimes got it wrong twenty-five years ago.

A hunt for a killer

Henley and her team reopen the original murder cases, but they must put their personal feelings to one side. Because the real killer is still out there, and he’s working his way through a new kill list … (Credit: HarperCollins)

What Happens In The Dark by Kia Abdullah

Lily and Safa were best friends growing up. Now, Lily is the nation’s favourite breakfast TV presenter and Safa, once a renowned journalist, is reeling from a recent fall from grace.

When news breaks about suspicious bruises on Lily’s body, Safa attempts to rekindle their old friendship. But Lily claims the bruises are nothing to worry about.

And then one night the police are called to Lily’s home. Lily is strangely calm – and a body lies dead at her feet.

Lily pleads not guilty, and then says nothing more. Driven by her desire to give a voice to all victims, Safa begins her own investigation into what happened that night.

But Safa is not prepared for what her quest for justice will uncover … (Credit: HQ)

Picture Book/Children’s/YA Non-Fiction

Different Like Us!: Inspiring Real-Life Stories from Kids Everywhere by Margaret Rooke

Welcome to Different Like Us!, the book that explores how being different helps shape our world.

Sharing the stories of more than 40 children from across the globe, this book celebrates their strength and joys, without shying away from the tough stuff that’s part of the package. Reading their words will help you identify your own strengths and work out how your unique qualities and experiences can drive you forwards.

Along the way you will meet
· Cora, aged 10, whose painful medical condition has led to a special bravery that has shaped her life.
· Afua, aged 14, who has sickle cell, and explains how she came to accept her condition. She talks about the tips and tricks she uses to stay positive.
· Jensen, aged 10, who has hearing loss and has taught his school sign language.
· Kais, aged 9, who escaped from two wars, and has grown to see his new friends as a second family.
· Aidan, aged 13, who talks about dealing with the grief of losing his father.

Plus others who have been bullied, who stammer, who have sight loss, who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette’s or epilepsy, who have parents in prison, and many more. (Credit: Jessica Kingsley Publishers)


We Are Your Children: A History of LGBTQ+ Activism by David Roberts

Touching on major moments in the story of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights including the Stonewall Uprising, the first Gay Pride Rally and the dazzling history of drag and the ballroom scene, We Are Your Children is a wide-ranging and inclusive account of a multifaceted movement, with detailed and characterful colour artwork.

This book showcases figures from queer history like Harvey Milk, Julian Hows, Carla Toney, Crystal LaBeija, We Wha, Vincent Jones, Marsha P. Johnson, Alan Turing, Sylvia Rivera and many more.

From the secret slang adopted by gay Londoners in the 60s, to the decades of sit-ins and marches, there are countless fascinating stories to be told: stories of resistance, friendship, love, fear, division, unity and astonishing perseverance in the face of discrimination and oppression. (Credit: Pan Macmillan)

Non-Fiction Adult

To Be Young, Gifted and Black by Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason

When Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason’s eldest daughter, Isata, made her solo debut at the BBC Proms in 2023, she could not have been prouder. Watching years of hard work transform into a transcendent performance was profoundly moving, both as music-lover and parent.

All fractured when her younger daughter turned to her in tears a few days later, having read online abuse about her sister. Isata, it was declared, did not deserve to be there. How do you prepare your child for the fact that no matter their talent, technique or dedication, they will be told they do not belong?

Through conversations with her extraordinarily gifted family, Kanneh-Mason explores what it’s like to come of age in these turbulent times, when Black artistic self-expression is so often met with disparagement and abuse online – and offers a hopeful, powerful way through. (Credit: Oneworld Publications)

Chinese and Any Other Asian: Exploring East and South East Asian Identity in Britain by Anna Sulan Masing

This represents a shameful sweeping together of a diverse heritage and experience. East and South East Asian people have lived and worked in the UK for centuries, fought for the British Army in both world wars, have influenced British culture through food, writing, music and art in a multitude of ways. And yet this influence is often overlooked.

People of ESEA heritage experience unique forms of racism. Asian food is mocked as unhealthy and Asian restaurants as dirty. ESEA women are exoticised and sexualised, and assumed to be the nanny of their mixed-race children. The community was scapegoated for the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anna Sulan Masing addresses these issues in a comprehensive way. She explores what it means to be East and South East Asian in Britain today, and celebrates the varied experiences that make up ESEA identity. Powerful, moving and illuminating, this will be a must-read for anyone interested in the make-up of our multicultural society. (Credit: W&N)

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