Excelsior Award Black 2025
2025 Shortlist
The books on the Excelsior Award Black shortlist have been designated as suitable for children aged 16+ (or Sixth Form in schools).
We are avoiding topics that could be considered "offensive" or "too adult" for a school library, but books on this shortlist may include moderate swearing and moderate violence, akin to a 15-rated movie.
Click on book's title for extra information
Nu Earth: a whole planet sacrificed to war. A chemical and nuclear nightmare, fit only for the endless battle between Nort and Souther forces - and for the Rogue Trooper, sole survivor of the Genetic Infantry, hunting the traitor who sold out his regiment. Together with the bio-chipped “ghosts” of his dead comrades, Rogue walks the wasted lands in search of their killer, determined to see justice done.
Details
Writers: Garth Ennis
Artist: Patrick Goddard
Published by Rebellion / 2000AD
ISBN-13: 978-1837861958
Keitaro is ready to stop living as a shut-in. He’s starting university. He’s reconnecting with his childhood friend. He’s taking a tutoring job. And he’s not messing around with ghosts anymore. At least that’s what he thinks, until he finds out the elementary schooler he’s tutoring is an occult-obsessed genius who’s hunting down dangerous spirits and won’t stop until she’s found the one that took her mom!
Details
Writer: Kenichi Kondo
Artist: Kenichi Kondo
Published by Viz Media
ISBN-13: 978-1974738946
They're the most intensely mismatched team-up in comics and pop culture - reunited for an all-new edge of your seat adventure! Yes, Wade Wilson and Logan are at the ends of the Earth - and at each other's throats! The mysterious Delta believes in change. Change is good. But as he sets his sights on Deadpool, and Wolverine finds himself caught up in the plot, is the third time really the charm... or the curse? Get ready for WWIII to erupt on the scene with the wildest pairing in comics!
Details
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: Adam Kubert
Published by Marvel Comics
ISBN-13: 978-1302953478
In The Anxiety Club we are introduced to three characters, each with a different form of anxiety. After hearing their stories, we follow them into the therapy room where they discover the behavioural, cognitive and emotional tools to help free themselves from anxious thinking. Many people believe that there is no treatment for anxiety: they try to soothe their inner suffering with medication, alcohol, drugs or binge eating. However, there are healthy ways to manage such negative thoughts and feelings. This self-help handbook helps the reader to identify, understand and find freedom from anxiety.
Details
Writer: Frédéric Fanget
Artist: Pauline Aubrey
Published by SelfMadeHero
ISBN-13: 978-1914224218
The age of monsters has begun! As an enraged Hulk tries to take control of Bruce Banner's body permanently, a mysterious immortal turns every monster in the Marvel Universe against Banner in an attempt to free their creator, the primordial Mother of Horrors. With the help of an unlikely new friend, Banner and Hulk must try to stop the world from getting plunged into darkness!
Details
Writer: Philip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Nic Klein
Published by Marvel Comics
ISBN-13: 978-1302954161