The Carnegies, the UK’s longest-running and best-loved book awards for children and young people, will be returning to Sedbergh for a second consecutive year. The event marks a special collaboration with Sedbergh, England’s Book Town, during Sedbergh School’s 500-year anniversary celebrations.
The 2025 event will focus on delivering a dynamic daytime programme with free sessions designed for primary and secondary school groups, celebrating outstanding books, reading, and storytelling. The programme is made possible through the continued partnership with the Sedbergh Book Town Literary Trust, Sedbergh School, Sedbergh Prep School, and Pen&Inc magazine.
Joseph Coelho is a best-selling, multi-award winning children’s playwright and author of over 50 books. His The Boy Lost in The Maze was the winner of the 2024 Carnegie Medal for writing and has received international acclaim appearing on the White Raven Book list – Munich, The IBBY UK Honour Books List and awarded The Extraordinary Book of 2023 by The International Children’s Literature Festival of Berlin. Joseph was the Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate 2022 – 2024.
Joining Joseph will be authors and illustrators featured on the 2025 Carnegie Medals longlist and shortlist, with the full line-up to be announced after the official announcements.
The Carnegies Book Town Takeover is part of the wider mission of the Carnegies to promote a lifelong love of reading and celebrate excellence in children’s and young adult literature. This partnership with Sedbergh offers a unique opportunity to unite authors, illustrators, and educators with young readers in a town steeped in literary heritage.
Registration is now open, using the form below, for school groups to attend the Carnegies Book Town Takeover on Tuesday 18th March 2025 in Sedbergh, England’s Book Town.
All sessions are free to attend and will be held in Powell Hall, Sedbergh School, Sedbergh, LA10 5HG
10:30 – 11:30: Book Town Takeover session led by Joseph Coelho for Upper Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 5 and 6). Joseph will be joined by at least one other author and/or illustrator from the 2025 Carnegies longlist.
14:30 – 15:30: Secondary School pupils (Key Stage 3 and 4) are invited to join Joseph and guests for an inspiring literacy session celebrating outstanding books, reading and storytelling.
If you have any questions, please contact carnegies@sedberghschool.org.
Year 5 & 6 pupils learn to draw a jellyfish with Chloe Savage at the 2024 Carnegies Book Town Takeover
