2026 Junior Book Nominees

Read or listen to at least 3 of the Junior Book Nominees on this page, then vote for your favorite in March 2026!

We are excited to present book trailers, book talks and activities for the 2026 North Carolina Children's Book Award Junior Book Nominees.  Children nominated their favorite titles published since 2022.  Our committee chose the top twelve and now it's time for the children of North Carolina to get ready to vote for their favorite!  

Junior Book Nominees 

 2026 NCCBA Activities Guide

 Junior Book annotated list

Bookmarks/Ballots  |  flyer with book covers (can be used as ballot)

Ferris Book Trailer

Ferris Activities

Haiku, Ew! Book Trailer

Haiku, Ew! Activities

Hummingbird Book Trailer

Hummingbird Activities

Last Dragon on Mars Book Trailer

Last Dragon on Mars Activities

Misfits: A Royal Conundrum Book Talk

Misfits: A Royal Conundrum Activities

Narwhal Read-aloud

Narwhal Activities

Nic Blake: Manifestor Prophecy Book Trailer

Nic Blake: Manifestor Prophecy Activities

No Matter the Distance Book Trailer

No Matter the Distance Activities

Squished Book Talk

Squished Activities

Things in the Basement Book Trailer

Things in the Basement Activities

We Own the Sky Book Talk

We Own the Sky Activities

Wild Brunch Book Talk & Read-aloud

Wild Brunch Activities