The Excelsior Award is the only nationwide book award for graphic novels and comics, judged by kids aged 11-18, from over 200 schools.
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Excelsior Award White Shortlist 9+ KS2
Excelsior Award Blue Shortlist 11+ KS3
Excelsior Award Red Winner and Shortlist 14+ KS4
Excelsior Award Black Winner and Shortlist 16+ KS5
The books on the Excelsior Award White shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 9+ (or Key Stage 2 in schools)
The books on the Excelsior Award Blue shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 11+ (or Key Stage 3 in schools)
The books on the Excelsior Award Red shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 14+ (or Key Stage 4 in schools)
The books on the Excelsior Award Black shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 16+ (or Sixth Form in schools). Topics that could be considered "offensive" or "too adult" for a school library have been avoided, but books on this shortlist may include moderate swearing and moderate violence, akin to a 15-rated movie.
Originally created as a local schools project in Sheffield, under the name The Stan Lee Excelsior Award (Stan Lee, the godfather of comics responsible for the global success of Marvel), these awards have grown in popularity and now over 200 schools & colleges from across the UK and beyond take part.
The Award's mission is to both encourage reading for pleasure and also to raise the profile of graphic novels and manga, particularly within the school setting.
Graphic novels offer action-packed stories, stunning visuals and are fun! Graphic novels might well appeal to reluctant readers, but the assumption that it's not 'real reading' is far from true. Literacy experts, including our own professional librarians at LoveReading4Schools, champion the graphic novel as an excellent way improve your child's reading and to encourage a familiarity and love of books. Graphic novels have plenty of text and often complex plots to follow, characters grow and develop - and the artwork is absolutely stunning adding to the allure and entertainment value of a graphic novel.
With a foundation in Japan (manga) and France (bandes dessinées) the genre is incredibly popular in the UK and growing. And as the characters are often entwined in gaming and movies, a wonderfully imaginative fantasy world is created into which children can immerse themselves.
The Excelsior Award is the only award in the UK to recognise, support and honour graphic novels and comics and is divided into four shortlists; white, blue red and black.
Find out more about these unique awards at excelsioraward.co.uk
Follow @ExcelsiorAward
And we've lots of recommended books in our Graphic Novels & Comics section!
Click on a year below to view past years from this award.
