The winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award 2021 has been revealed.

Hannah Lowe, a poet and university lecturer, is the author of The Kids which has been named Costa Book of the Year 2021, winning Lowe a prize of £30,000.

This award makes it the second time that the independent publisher of the book, Bloodaxe Books, has won a Costa Book of the Year award.

A collection of poetry has won the prize eight times before, making this the ninth.   

The 2021 winner was announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday February 1, 2022 at Pan Pacific London in which Penny Smith, a presenter and broadcaster, was the host.

Lowe was also named the Costa Book Prize category winner 2021 for Poetry earlier this year.

BBC News journalist and broadcaster Reeta Chakrabarti, Chair of judges, said: “After a long and passionate discussion that reflected the quality and complexity of all five books, one winner emerged. Hannah Lowe’s The Kids is a book to fall in love with - it’s joyous, it’s warm and it’s completely universal. It’s crafted and skilful but also accessible. Words from the judges were ‘insightful’, ‘empathetic’, ‘generous’, ‘funny’, ‘compassionate’, ‘uplifting’. You will love it!”
Messenger Newspapers: Hannah Lowe (Jeff Spicer Getty Images for Costa Coffee)Hannah Lowe (Jeff Spicer Getty Images for Costa Coffee)

The judging panel included tennis coach, Judy Murray, and Melanie Sykes, Editor in Chief of The Frank Magazine.

The other three category Award winners in the running included: John Preston, Caleb Azumah Nelson and Manjeet Mann.

Since it’s the 50th anniversary of the Awards, each author received a bespoke certificate specially created, designed and produced by leading letterpress studio, The Garage Press, featuring traditional hand-printed elements using a vintage press merged with digital production techniques.

Jill McDonald, CEO of Costa Coffee, said: “On behalf of all of us at Costa Coffee, many congratulations to Hannah Lowe for winning the 2021 Costa Book of the Year in this, the Awards’ milestone anniversary year. For many of us, our reading patterns have changed since the pandemic.

"We’ve had the opportunity to read more and appreciate the joy of reading a good book and the escapism it can bring, especially when accompanied by a great cup of coffee. The perfect partner! Being named Costa Book of the Year is a terrific achievement and I wish Hannah and the book every continued success.”