Junior National Reading Champions Quiz
About our Junior National Reading Champions Quiz
Our brand new Junior National Reading Champions Quiz is part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
The quiz has 20 regional heats which will be delivered across the whole of the UK. The winners of the heats will go on to compete in an amazing grand final event in London where one team will be crowned as National Reading Champions.
Our fantastic quizmaster Mr Dilly will deliver the heats and the final with his trademark energy, enthusiasm and support.
Who is the junior quiz for?
- Participating students must be aged between 9 to 11. This equates to year groups 4, 5 and 6 in England and Wales, P5, P6 and P7 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- The quiz suits students who already read eagerly and widely; there is no set reading list.
- Questions are based only on fiction titles and include books for ages 5+ up to, and including, Upper Middle Grade titles.
Registration is now open
We can't wait to welcome your keen readers to the competition!
20 regional heats and only one winner. Book by 23 September.
Will your school be crowned Junior National Reading Champions 2026?
Regional heats key information:
Regional heats information
- Regional heats take place from mid-September through to mid-November 2026
- When: Dates for the regional heats are available on this page and on the booking form
- Where: All regional heats take place online and are delivered via the MS Teams platform
- Entry cost: £25 per team
- 25 teams are allowed to compete in each heat
- Schools can book one team into their regional heat
- Each team consists of four members
- Participants must be aged between 9 to 11 years
Grand final information:
- When: The grand final will take place on Wednesday 9 December 2026
- Where: central London
Terms and Conditions
Please remember to read our full Terms and Conditions of entry.
“It's a really fun event, full of positive energy and a brilliant, broad selection of children's literature. To have the chance to be part of a team like this is great for social skills and self-esteem. We love it!”
Librarian, Widcombe Junior School
Get in touch with your questions
If you need further advice, have any questions about the quizzes or need our support, then please email juniornrcq@literacytrust.org.uk
We look forward to meeting your teams!
The National Year of Reading
In 2026, we’re inviting the nation to Go All In and discover how reading print and digital novels, non-fiction and poetry, exploring comics, magazines and graphic novels, or listening to audiobooks can unlock more of what we love. Together, we’ll re-engage one of the most powerful tools for equity and opportunity: a lifelong love of reading.
