The votes have been counted and the results are in for this year’s East Sussex Children’s Book Award.

Since December, primary school pupils from across the county read six shortlisted books before voting for their favourite last month.

300 local school children attended a special awards ceremony on June 10 to see the winner announced.

And the winner is…

Hercules: The Diary of a (Sort Of) Hero by Tom Vaughan was revealed as this year’s winner at the awards event held at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill.

Written as a series of diary entries, the book is the first in the author’s acclaimed Hercules series.

The book tells the tale of Hercules Braver’s challenge to survive his new secondary school and live up to his name. It’s a poignant yet hilarious story full of mythical magic and real-world mayhem.

‘Absolute honour’

Winning author Tom Vaughan said: “It is an absolute total honour to win the award, especially as I grew up in Sussex.

“Winning this award is super, super special because it’s voted for by the children.

“There is no greater honour than when I see kids picking up Hercules and enjoying his exploits and adventures. It touches my heart that children are reading it.”

Shortlisted stories

Six books, including the winning story, were shortlisted for this year’s award.

The other five books shortlisted for the 2025 award were:

  • The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom: Attack of the Vampire Sheep by Emily-Jane Clark

The first in a new series of books, this highly illustrated, laugh-out-loud tale is packed with zany characters and beast-hunting crazy adventures.

  • Storm Child by Ele Fountain

An exciting, thought-provoking novel about globalisation, climate change and finding your place in a changing world.

  • Arkspire by Jamie Littler

A hilarious and lavishly illustrated new fantasy series that sees a big-hearted thief and her mysterious companion plunged into in a world of magic, power and prestige.

  • Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight by Maria Motunrayo Adebisi

An epic fantasy adventure set in a unique magical world inspired by West African mythology, perfect for Marvel fans and anyone who loves Percy Jackson.

  • The Night Train by Sarah Driver

The first novel in a spellbinding new fantasy adventure series – it’s time to board the Night Train and dive into an epic, magical adventure in the world of the Dreamstalkers.

You can find out more about each of the shortlisted books in our article on all of the nominated stories.

Different books, different authors

Pupils from Stafford Junior School in Eastbourne were among those who took part in this year’s award, reading all six books and attending the awards event.

The children commented that they really enjoyed reading different books, discussing them afterwards, and that taking part in the award had encouraged them to read more:

“You could just experience different books and get people’s different points of view on the books.”

“I liked talking about all the books and how different they were. I was able to find the type of books that I like. Some of them I might not have read otherwise.”

“I liked that there was a second story to a lot of the books so I can read more.”

“We have been able to read different type of books that we might not have read otherwise.”

“We got to read lots of varieties of books by lots of different authors from different countries and it was interesting.”

Pick up a book at your local library

The annual Children’s Book Award is run by the East Sussex Library service.

The award promotes reading for pleasure to children aged 8 to 11 years old. It aims to introduce children and adults to new or less established children’s authors and encourage children to engage with books.

All the shortlisted books, and hundreds of others, are available to borrow for free from East Sussex libraries.

For more reading inspiration check out our monthly ‘get in our good books’ articles. April’s books were selected by one of this year’s shortlisted authors, Maria Motunrayo Adebisi.

Join your library

Author Jacqueline Wilson once said libraries are magical.

Did you know it’s free to join your local library?

You can join online or by visiting one our libraries in person.

Once you’re a member you can borrow books, including ebooks and audio books, CDs, DVDs, and eMagazines and eNewspapers, as well as reserve items.

You can also enjoy free access to computers and WiFi in all East Sussex libraries.

Plus, East Sussex libraries host events and activity sessions for all ages including Rhyme Time, Homework and Activity Clubs, Reading Friends groups, Games Sessions, IT for You, meet the author events and much more.

Why not visit your magical library today?

 

Image – Shortlisted authors Jamie Littler and Sarah Driver, with winner Tom Vaughan