ASE Book of the Year Award

ASE Book of the Year Award 2025

Submissions for ASE’s Book of the Year 2025 are now closed. The shortlisted titles for the Primary, Secondary and Textbook categories can be viewed on our news page, and the winners can be viewed here, or below.

Entry Criteria

All scientific content must be accurate and up to date.
Entries to the 'Textbook' category must be either student or teacher books covering part of the science curriculum. Both fiction and nonfiction titles may be entered into either the 'Primary' or 'Secondary' category.
All titles entered must have been published in the period from 1^st July 2024 to 30^th June 2025
All titles must be entered as English language editions.
Eight physical copies of each entry must be provided for review, and eBooks and digital editions cannot be accepted.
Any queries should be sent to willhoole@ase.org.uk
The deadline to receive physical review copies is 4^th August 2025
By submitting to the ASE Book of the Year (BOTY) you are agreeing to the above entry criteria and the terms & conditions

Please note: Millgate will purchase copies of the book at a trade discount of 50% for sale online and at ASE Annual Conference 2026 as part of which ASE's BOTY winners will be announced. Books will be sold by Millgate at retail price.

Terms & Conditions

All submissions must be made via the online submission form. By submitting a title for consideration, you are accepting the terms and conditions below and are agreeing that the title meets the entry criteria above. All eligible titles will be entered into ASE's Book of the Year (BOTY) awards 2025.
Entries must be made by the publisher of the title and any submission will be taken as agreement for the work to be considered. There is no restriction on the location of publishers. There are no restrictions on the nationality, age or any other characteristic of the author(s).
Each publisher may submit up to five entries.
There is no fee to enter.
By entering, the publishers agree to give the ASE permission to promote the entered title as part of BOTY 2025.
The review panel is appointed by the ASE. The judging panel's decision on the eligibility of an entry is final.
In the event of a title being shortlisted for the BOTY award, publishers agree that they will supply a synopsis and book cover (licensed for royalty-free use and distribution) for ASE's promotional use.
Successful publishers will be allowed to acknowledge the award in subsequent reprints, editions and marketing of shortlisted, highly commended and winning books.
Shortlisted titles will be sold to Millgate subject to a trade discount (50%) for sale at retail price.
No review copies will be returned to publishers.
The ASE BOTY awards have no monetary value.

Primary Category Winner 2025

EUREK-HER! Stories of Inspirational Women in STEM

By Frances Durkin, Illustrated by Nur Ventura

In this book, 20 inspirational women from ancient Mesopotamia to the modern day, from all around the world and using many different forms of science, show readers how female scientists and inventors throughout history have turned their ideas into important inventions and discoveries that still help and inspire people today. The book also includes 12 experiments/activities for readers to try at home.

Our reviewers said:

“A super range of female STEM role models both historic and contemporary from a range of backgrounds, countries and areas of STEM. The illustrations are bright, colourful and clear with images of the characters and their discovery or invention."

“I think illuminating the world of STEM to the younger female generation is so important, if we are going to inspire girls/women into science-based jobs. It makes the appeal of working with a STEM-based career appealing and really chooses some excellent trailblazers to show this, from a range of different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities.”

“There are a really wide range of women and their stories described in the book, including many that were new to me. The stories included date from the beginning of recorded history to modern day and come from all across the world. For each woman’s story, there are also notes on the science behind it, a link to a scientific career and, for most, a linked ‘try at home’ activity’.”

Secondary Category Winner 2025

Explodapedia: The Brain

By Ben Martynoga, Illustrated by Moose Allain

Explodapedia is an exploded encyclopaedia – everything you need to know, one book at a time! In The Brain, you’ll meet the pioneer scientists who first peered inside our skulls, and explore fascinating and vital topics such as how social media impacts our mental health. It’s a fresh approach to non-fiction, taking key scientific subjects and presenting them in a way that’s hugely entertaining and readable, whilst still presenting reliable, serious, and in-depth information that will help readers gain a true and lasting understanding of these crucial topics. This book will help you maximise your understanding of our miraculous minds!

Our reviewers said:

“Wonderful book, written by a neuroscientist, covering many aspects of brain structure & function in an entertaining and informative way. It’s a ‘serious’ graphic novel, with cartoon images, speech bubbles etc, lots of jokes too.

“[It makes] a positive contribution to the mental health crisis affecting some young people”

“I read this book with my 10-year-old daughter and we both really enjoyed it [she] particularly enjoyed the jokes and was able to explain what she was reading”

Textbook Category Winner 2025

Science Fix

By Danny Nicholson

Science Fix is a practical, easy-to-use guide that supports primary teachers in delivering engaging science lessons with confidence. Danny Nicholson clearly explains each area of the primary science curriculum, building teachers’ subject knowledge while offering practical strategies, clear planning advice, and ready-to-use activities that encourage scientific thinking in the classroom. By tackling common misconceptions and focusing on what it really means to work scientifically, this book equips teachers with the tools they need to help children explore, question, and learn like young scientists.

Our reviewers said:

“An essential book for all trainee teachers and would be a useful addition for science subject leaders to have in their grasp to support their ideas for additional links to sustainability and valuable websites and sources of support and information but also to help guide and encourage other teachers too”

“An excellent and thorough guide for primary science which includes working scientifically, misconceptions and a varied list of scientists from a range of different backgrounds.”