Carnegies Book Town Takeover in Sedbergh

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.

We are delighted to be welcoming Joseph Coelho, award-winning writer, as this year’s headline speaker on Tuesday 18th March 2025. 

Joseph will be joined by  illustrators and authors from this year’s Carnegie Medal short and long lists, see below for more information!

Register

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 and support from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Westmorland & Furness Council and Sedbergh & District Community Fund.

Headline speaker

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 shortlist: Mariajo Ilustrajo and Margaret McDonald and long list: Danielle Jawando, C.G. Moore and Yuval Zommer.

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.

Register Now To Reserve Your School’s Place

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

Session Timetable

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 2025 Carnegie Medal nominated illustrators, Mariajo Ilustrajo (shortlisted for ‘I Love Books’) and Yuval Zommer (longlisted for ‘The Wild’).

14:15 – 15:15: Secondary School pupils (Key Stage 3 and 4) are invited to join us for an inspiring literacy session celebrating outstanding books, reading and storytelling. Appearing alongside Joseph will be Danielle Jawando (longlisted for ‘If My Words Had Wings’), Margaret McDonald (shortlisted for ‘Glasgow Boys’) and C.G. Moore (longlisted for ‘Trigger’).

If you have any questions, please contact carnegies@sedberghschool.org.

Book Town Takeover Speakers

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