Help them write their next chapter – win one of five £250/€250 National Book Tokens!
Know a student or young person starting something new? Nominate them for the chance to win a £250/€250 National Book Token and help them choose the books that inspire, support and accompany them on their journey.
Give them the freedom to choose what comes next
Whether they're heading to university, starting a new course, moving away from home, beginning an apprenticeship or simply discovering the books they love, every new chapter deserves a little encouragement.
National Book Tokens give young people the freedom to choose the books that are right for them – from study essentials and career inspiration to stories that help them explore new ideas, discover new passions and see the world differently.
This autumn, we're giving you the chance to win one of five £250/€250 National Book Tokens. Nominate someone special in your life and give them the opportunity to choose the books that will help them on their next adventure.
Enter using the form below – if you're a young person, you can enter and nominate yourself! We'll pick five winners at random after Sunday 18th October 2026.
"A highlight after every birthday or Christmas is always taking the book tokens that Granny or Auntie have gifted her to choose her new book supply, so Carla will definitely have no problem enjoying her prize." Angela, who surprised her daughter Carla with a £250 National Book Token
Why National Book Tokens are the perfect gift for their next chapter
Starting something new can mean needing all sorts of different things – from essential study materials to books that inspire, comfort and help them discover who they are.
With a National Book Token, you can give them the freedom to choose whatever books they need for the journey ahead.
That textbook that will help them ace their next assignment...
That fantasy novel that's all over their BookTok feed...
That recipe book to whip up easy wins away from home...
That travel guide to help them plan their gap year adventure...
That career handbook to empower their journey into the workplace...
Or that hidden gem from their local bookshop that sparks their brand-new passion...
Only they know what their next chapter needs.
National Book Tokens are the perfect gift for every new beginning – from GCSEs, BTECs, A-levels, Highers and Leaving Certificates, to university, apprenticeships and first jobs, National Book Tokens help young people choose the books that support where they're going next.
- Their books, their choice – spend on any book, from essential study guides and reference books to bestselling fiction and personal favourites.
- Easy to give – pick up in bookshops and supermarkets, or as an e-gift card, monthly subscription, or personalised designs online.
- Widely accepted – use in bookshops across the UK & Ireland, as well as online.
- Always with them – they can add a gift card to a mobile wallet so they carry their choice of books wherever they go. Our gift cards don't expire for 8 years from last use (and if they do, we'll replace them).
- A more thoughtful choice – printed on sustainable FSC-certified board instead of plastic.*
"This will help me to read for fun, which is such a large part of my life and will provide a reprieve from university as my course can be overwhelming at times." Sajidah, a university student who won a £250 National Book Token
Congratulations to last year's winners!
- Madeleine, 15 from Edinburgh, a school student who loves English, history and drama. Some authors she's enjoyed reading so far are Phillip Pullman, Leigh Bardugo, and Victoria Aveyard. Her favourite bookshops are Argonaut Books and Topping & Company in Edinburgh.
- Sajidah, 19 from Bristol, a student at university who loves reading, but can't always afford to buy books. Sajidah loves fantasy/paranormal as well as dystopian/post-apocalyptic books, and her favourite bookshops are Foyles Charing Cross and Waterstones Piccadilly.
- Amelia, 20 from West Sussex, a student at university studying Law. Her favourite books are A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins, and she loves visiting Steyning Bookshop or Waterstones in Worthing or Rustington with her family.
- Erin, 19 from County Durham, a student at university studying Physiological Sciences who loves to read literary fiction with a good plot and strong characters. Erin's go-to bookshops are Blackwell's and Waterstones in Newcastle.
- Carla, 13 from South Lanarkshire, a school student who has recently enjoyed series such as Murder Most Unladylike, The Hunger Games, The Enola Holmes Mysteries, The Inheritance Games, and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder – she loves murder mysteries and classics as well as non-fiction books on coding and engineering, and Greek mythology.
*You may find older plastic gift cards in shops as we encourage retailers to use remaining stock rather than destroy it. At present, personalised gift cards cannot be printed on paper board. All National Book Tokens and Bookily gift cards can be topped-up and reused rather than thrown away.
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