OWL Awards Longlist 2026

OWL Awards Longlist 2026

Celebrating 10 Years

Ten years of outstanding books, inspiring ideas, and unforgettable stories! 🎉

We're thrilled to announce the 2026 Outstanding Works of Literature (OWL) Awards Longlist as we celebrate our 10th year of recognizing exceptional books that inspire learning, spark meaningful conversations, and create lasting change.

To mark this milestone year, we've refreshed several of our award categories to reflect emerging industry trends and the evolving needs of our business and education clients. This year's longlist features 50 outstanding titles across 10 categories, each bringing fresh perspectives, meaningful lessons, and stories that inspire change.

Without further ado, let's meet the incredible books making their mark on this year's OWL Awards Longlist!

Business Categories

Big Idea

Big ideas have the power to change everything! From the future of AI to the importance of human connection, this category celebrates books that challenge conventional thinking and introduce fresh perspectives on the world around us. These thought-provoking reads are perfect for sparking conversations, inspiring innovation, and encouraging readers to ask, "What if?"

1. I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI to Do (Almost) Everything by Joanna Stern
2. Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose by Jennifer Breheny Wallace
3. The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict by Priya Parker
4. Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World by Adam Grant
5. Co-Existence: The Next Phase of AI by Ethan Mollick

Leadership

Great leaders never stop learning, and neither do the ideas that shape them. Our Leadership category recognizes books that explore what it truly means to lead with purpose, curiosity, and confidence in an ever-changing world. Whether you're leading an entire organization or taking your first steps into management, these titles offer valuable lessons for bringing out the best in yourself and others.

1. Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI by Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman
2. Leading Wholly: The Case for Leading with Curiosity, Courage, and Imperfection by Nathan Murfield
3. Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation by Linda A. Hill, Emily Tedards and Jason Wild
4. What Could Possibly Go Right?: The Essential Journey to Scale an Enduring Culture by Danny Meyer
5. From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn't Own You by Michael Lynton and Joshua L. Steiner

Strategy, Innovation & Growth

Out with the old playbook and in with fresh possibilities! New to the OWL Awards this year, Strategy, Innovation & Growth celebrates books that challenge the status quo, introduce creative approaches to problem-solving, and help businesses turn ambitious ideas into meaningful progress. From startups to established organizations, these reads are all about thinking differently, working smarter, and discovering what's possible.

1. Simplify: Do 50 Percent More with 50 Percent Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen and Roy Schwartz
2. The Algorithm: The Hypergrowth Formula That Transformed Tesla, Lululemon, General Motors, and SpaceX by Jon McNeill
3. How Great Ideas Happen: The Hidden Steps Behind Breakthrough Success by George Newman
4. Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business by Marcus Buckingham
5. Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better by David Epstein

People & Culture

Behind every thriving organization are the people who make it happen! Our new People & Culture category puts the human side of business front and center, exploring everything from workplace motivation and meaningful work to building stronger, more connected teams. For HR professionals, people leaders, and organizations looking to create workplaces where everyone can thrive, these books prove that great culture makes all the difference.

1. Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World by Shawn Vanderhoven
2. Making It Without Losing It: How to Stay Motivated in a World Where We Are Never Done by Jess Ekstrom
3. Hidden Patterns: A Playbook for More Human Workplaces by Clay Parker Jones
4. Service Ready: A Story of Love, Restaurants, and the Power of Hospitality by Molly Irani
5. Manage What Matters: A Leader's Guide to Making Work Meaningful by Rachel Pacheco

Biography & Memoir

Sometimes the greatest lessons come from the stories of those who have lived them. Another exciting addition to this year's OWL Awards, Biography & Memoir celebrates remarkable personal journeys, unexpected challenges, and the experiences that shape who we become. These powerful true stories offer readers a chance to walk in someone else's shoes, discover new perspectives, and find inspiration in the resilience of the human spirit.

1. I Bottled My Mother: Grit, Grime & Growing a Business. The Mrs. Meyer's Story by Monica Nassif
2. Main, Middle & Gay: A Chef Finds His Place in the World Against All Odds by Patrick O'Connell
3. Queens of Code: Inspiring True Stories from NSA’s Computing Women by Eileen Buckholtz
4. Trash!: A Garbageman's Story by Simon Pare-Poupart
5. The Best Part of Prison: The Power of Second Chances and Reclaiming Life Out of Darkness by Jesse Crosson

Education Categories

Picture Books

Big lessons can come in little packages! Our Picture Books category celebrates the magic that happens when beautiful illustrations meet unforgettable storytelling. From navigating emotions and building friendships to embracing individuality and discovering the world, these books help young readers develop a love of reading while giving educators and families meaningful stories to share.

1. Navigating Night by Julie Leung
2. I Am a Spicy Nugget by Loryn Brantz
3. Leroy Has Something to Say by Emily Rosenthal
4. The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever by Jessie Sima
5. I Know Things by Karla Clark

Elementary School

Adventure, imagination, and a whole lot of curiosity! Our Elementary School category is packed with stories that make young readers eager to turn the next page. Whether they're discovering new worlds, navigating friendships, or learning important life lessons, these books help build reading confidence and inspire a lifelong love of literature. Perfect for classroom read-alouds, independent reading, and everything in between!

1. The After-School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose by Goldie Hawn and Lin Oliver
2. Mayowa and the Sea of Words by Chibundu Onuzo
3. Little Bee: The Buzz About the Party by Danny Neville
4. Yarn Is Everything! by Aaron Reynolds
5. The Healer and the Phoenix (Legendary Allies #1) by Linda Trinh

Middle School

Middle school is full of big changes, bigger questions, and plenty of opportunities for discovery. Our Middle School category celebrates books that meet young readers right where they are, with captivating stories about friendship, identity, courage, and finding their place in the world. These reads don't just keep students turning pages; they encourage empathy, spark thoughtful discussions, and help readers see the world through new perspectives.

1. The Lions' Run by Sara Pennypacker
2. Trunk No. 3 by Allie Millington
3. Quetzal's Labyrinth by Karla Arenas Valenti
4. The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan by Jasmine Warga
5. The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller

Young Adult

New category alert! We're giving teen readers their own spotlight with the addition of Young Adult to this year's OWL Awards. From unforgettable characters and high-stakes adventures to stories exploring identity, belonging, and life's toughest choices, these books capture the excitement and complexity of growing up. For high school classrooms, libraries, and teen book clubs, these titles create opportunities for meaningful conversations while keeping readers hooked from beginning to end.

1. Behind Five Willows by June Hur
2. Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven
3. A Stage Set for Villains by Shannon J. Spann
4. The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
5. The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

Community & Campus Reads

Some books are even better when we experience them together! Our newly refreshed Community & Campus Reads category celebrates stories that bring people together through shared reading experiences. From campus-wide reading initiatives to community book clubs, these thought-provoking titles invite readers to explore different perspectives, tackle important conversations, and discover common ground. Because sometimes, the most meaningful part of a great book is the conversation that follows.

1. Land by Maggie O'Farrell
2. The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
3. Good People by Patmeena Sabit
4. John of John by Douglas Stuart
5. On Witness and Respair: Essays by Jesmyn Ward

What's Next for the 2026 OWL Awards?

A huge congratulations to all the incredible authors, publishers, and titles that have earned a spot on this year's longlist! As we celebrate 10 years of the OWL Awards, we're reminded that behind every outstanding book is a story worth sharing and a team that helped bring it to life.

But the celebration is just beginning! Stay tuned as we narrow down the selections to our 2026 OWL Awards Shortlist and introduce an exciting new way for readers to get involved with our Readers' Choice Award! When the shortlist is announced, you'll have the chance to cast your vote for the book you think deserves to take home the Readers' Choice Award!

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below and follow BookPal on LinkedIn for exciting announcements and updates throughout this milestone year!