Nominated Books

Children’s Choice Awards 2026-27 Finalists 

Snoop, Gordan Korman (Realistic Fiction)

From Gordon Korman, the bestselling author of Restart, the story of a boy who's stuck at home with two broken legs... and who starts using cameras and a drone to spy on his classmates, neighbors, and a possible criminal who's come to town. 

Snoop by Gordon Korman | Spark Books 

Wilderness Hacks, Joslin Brorsen (Adventure)

Hatchet meets Survivor in this high-action, humor-filled middle grade adventure about two kids stranded in the wilderness, whose annoyance with each other rivals the roaring rapids and ferocious predators they must face. 

Wilderness Hacks by Joslin Brorsen | Spark Books 

A Kid Like Me, Norman Feuti (Graphic Novel)

Perfect for fans of Jeff Kinney and Terri Libensen, A Kid Like Me is a timely exploration about finding your place in the ever-evolving social landscape that is middle school, written and illustrated by award-winning graphic novelist Norm Feuti. 

A Kid Like Me by Norm Feuti | Spark Books 

Pocket Bear, Katherine Applegate (Realistic Fiction)

Meet Pocket, created as a good luck charm for soldiers going into battle, whose bravery and loyalty lives on long after the war. 

Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate | Spark Books 

The Mysterious Magic of Lighthouse Lane, Erin Stewart (Realistic Fiction)

A young empath spending the summer with her grandfather stumbles upon a bit of magic in this “[l]uminous…introspective” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) middle grade novel about letting in the light—perfect for fans of Barbara Dee and Jamie Sumner. 

The Mysterious Magic of Lighthouse Lane by Erin Stewart | Spark Books 

The Last Resort, Erin Entrada Kelly (Mystery)

Twelve-year-old Lila has two goals for the summer: Win back the friends who ditched her for being "too dramatic" and stop being so dramatic. But then Lila's estranged Grandpa Clem dies, throwing a wrench in her plans. Enter the world of The Last Resort! Ghosts from the story will emerge from the pages of the book, allowing readers to talk to spirits from the past and help solve the mystery! 

The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly | Spark Books 

The Tinkerers, Caroline Carlson (Fantasy)

The astromancers in Peter’s star-touched village have an amazing device that nudges time—surely it wouldn’t hurt if Peter used it to fix a few mistakes? Cozy fantasy alight with wonder from the author of Wicked Marigold. 

The Tinkerers by Caroline Carlson | Spark Books 

A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic, Philp C. Stead (Fantasy)

A plucky young goatkeeper sets out on a misadventurous rescue mission in this uproarious debut novel with premium hardcover features, perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Lemony Snicket. 

A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic by Philip C Stead | Spark Books