The 2026 shortlist of The Diverse Book Awards were announced, and if you are looking for trying something new for the fall season, these nominated titles of diverse reads provide you with a great start!
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!
the winners will be announced at a ceremony on October 22. And now without further ado, here is the shortlist:
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)
Bessie’s Bees by Ana Gómez and George Kirk
An uplifting story about starting nursery with a bubbly neurodiverse child at its centre. Written from the heart by debut, neurodiverse author, George Kirk, and illustrations buzzing with charm from Ana Gómez.
Bessie’s head is full of bees, absolutely buzzing with them. And that is just fine. Until one morning, Granny takes them somewhere new. . . NURSERY! Soon Bessie realises that no one else at nursery has bees, so she keeps hers hidden inside. Now Bessie’s head isn’t just buzzing with bees. . . it’s BURSTING with them!
Can Granny help Bessie back to feeling like herself again? And will Bessie find a way to share her bees with everyone in a way that feels right?
This empowering story gives voice to the often complex experiences of growing up with ADHD through the visual, accessible metaphor of bees. Bessie and her bees help readers see themselves represented and also understand those around them. This book offers a universal message about feeling different and is an important addition to everyone’s bookshelf. (Credit: Templar Books)
- Cloud Boy by Gregg Stobbs (Oxford University Press)
- My Rice is Best by Selina Brown, Maxwell A.Oginni (Puffin)
- Noah’s New Home by Zeshan Akhter, Nabila Adani (Templar Books)
- Little Rhino Lost by Candy Gourlay, Jamie Bauza (Otter Barry Books)
- Super Nani and Captain Yaz by Saira Shah, Maria Gabriela Gama (Templar Books)
- The Bicycle by Patricia McCormick and Mevan Babakar, Yas Imamura (Farshore)
- The Tour at School: Because you’re the new kid by Katie Clapham, Nadia Shireen (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?
Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy
Nova is horrified when she learns about the world’s plastic problem and the trash islands floating in the ocean. Good thing she has a super-secret lab in her basement. No problem is too big for SUPA NOVA or for SCIENCE! But things go spectacularly awry when she creates a plastic-eating monster who won’t stop eating and GROWING! Will Supa Nova be able to save the day-and the planet? (Credit: Nosy Crow)
- How to Roller-Skate with One Leg by Ella Dove, Jennifer Jamieson (Orchard Books)
- Kofi and the Brand New Vibe by Jeffrey Boakye (Faber & Faber)
- My Soul, A Shining Tree by Jamila Gavin (Farshore)
- Naeli and the Secret Song by Jasbinder Bilan (Chicken House)
- Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan (Piccadilly Press)
- Runaways by E.L.Norry (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
- Running My Own Race by Abena Eyeson (Nosy Crow)
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.
- Girl, Ultra-Processed by Amara Sage (Faber & Faber)
- Heartbreaker by Anika Hussain (Hot Key Books)
- Love on Sight by Asli Jensen (Chicken House)
- Odd Girl Out by Tasneem Abdur-Rashid (David Fickling Books)
- Stealing Happy by Brian Conaghan (Bloomsbury YA)
- The Girl with the Red Boots by Alex Wheatle (Hodder Children’s Books)
- ’Til Death by Busayo Matuluko (Simon and Schuster Children’s Books)
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)
- Chaotic Energy by Stephanie Yeboah (Orion)
- Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)
- Hail Mary by Funmi Fetto (Magpie)
- Kakigori Summer by Emily Itami (Phoenix)
- Salutation Road by Salma Ibrahim (Mantle)
- The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri (Orbit)
- The Manual for Good Wives by Lola Jaye (Pan Macmillan)
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)
- It’s a Brave Young World by Anu Adebogun, Soofiya and Lila Cruz (Little Tiger) – YA
- TEN Children Who Changed the World by Paterson Joseph, Rumbidzai Savanhu (Wren & Rook/Hachette) – Children’s
- The Endless Sea by Chi Thai, Linh Dao (Walker Books) – Picture Books
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)
- Act Normal: Joy and Despair in Postcolonial Britain by Pete Kalu (HopeRoad)
- The Science of Racism by Keon West (Picador)
- The Trembling Hand by Mathelinda Nabugodi (Hamish Hamilton)
- Who Wants Normal? Life Lessons from Disabled Women by Frances Ryan (Fig Tree)
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