Joseph Coelho speaking at the Carnegies in 2024

Reading app Sora has been confirmed as a new sponsor for the Carnegies this year, and will offer free digital access to shortlisted titles for the Carnegie Medal for Writing.

The Carnegie Awards Ceremony returns to Cambridge Theatre this year on 19 June 2025, with author Joseph Coelho as host for the ceremony.

Joseph Coelho who won the 2024 Carnegie Medal for Writing for ‘The Boy Lost in The Maze’, will present the Carnegies, one of the UK’s last remaining awards for children’s writing and illustration.

Reflecting on the Carnegies during his winner speech, Coelho said:

“The Carnegies holds a special place in the hearts of writers and illustrators because it’s judged by librarians […] A book isn’t finished until it is placed into the hands of a child. And librarians do that. They’re on the front line putting the right book into the right child’s hands at the right time.”

Sora, the award-winning student reading app from OverDrive, will enhance accessibility by offering free digital access to shortlisted titles for the Carnegie Medal for Writing.

Nick Forster, Regional Manager, EMEA, Global Libraries & Education, OverDrive, added:

“All around the globe, librarians and teachers are using Sora to make access to digital books easier than ever.

“By offering free access to the Carnegie shortlists, we hope to inspire young readers, celebrate outstanding literature, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to connect with these incredible stories, no matter where they are.”

CILIP manages the Carnegies, which are the longest-running and best-loved book awards for children and young people, and four medals are awarded in two areas, illustration and writing.

Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO of CILIP, welcomed Sora’s partnership, saying: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Sora as the Carnegies’ new digital sponsor.

“Their commitment to making books more accessible aligns perfectly with the Carnegies’ mission to inspire and empower the next generation to create a better world through books and reading.”

The Cambridge Theatre is home of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s award-winning Matilda The Musical, and hundreds of shadowers will have the opportunity to attend the ceremony in person.

Group leaders who attended last year praised the experience:

“We had an absolutely wonderful time, both inside and outside the theatre. The Matilda the Musical set lent the proceedings a real sense of occasion, and there was much excitement at the appearance of Mrs Phelps and Manjeet Mann. What an unforgettable way to end our Carnegie Shadowing Book Club.”

“I had such a wonderful time on Thursday and my shadowers had such an amazing day! The experience had a huge impact on them.”

Shadowing group leaders can now express their interest in attending the 2025 ceremony.

To attend the ceremony, groups must also register for 2025 Shadowing.

The ceremony will also be livestreamed, ensuring shadowing groups from across the UK and beyond can join the festivities virtually.

Find out more about how to access the shortlisted books through Sora.