Three middle schools – collège Descartes d’Antony, collège Saint-Philippe de Meudon, and collège Michelet de Vanves – have selected “La nature en équilibre” (Nature in Balance) as the winner of the 2026 Youth Prize from “La science se livre” (Science Revealed), a French literary award recognizing science communication. The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
The winning book, by Sharon Wismer and Terri Po, translated by Sophie Lecoq, and published by Gallimard Jeunesse, was chosen as part of an educational program that immersed students in the world of publishing and science. The program, dubbed an “apprentice jurist’s journey,” began in the fall of 2025 and aimed to foster scientific and technical literacy among the students.
“Go and meet animals essential to their ecosystem and discover how they contribute to saving our planet! Observe, in each natural environment (sea, meadow, forest, desert, savannah…), the so-called ‘keystone’ species like the elephant, the wolf, the hummingbird, the beaver, the bee or the saguaro, whose existence is essential to promote biodiversity and preserve or regenerate an ecosystem. Discover wildlife, the links between animals and plants in the food chain and new conservation practices to protect endangered species and preserve the balance of nature.”
– The publisher’s summary of La nature en équilibre
A highlight of “La science se livre,” a day dedicated to youth, took place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Parc départemental de l’Île de Monsieur in Sèvres. The morning featured the Youth Prize ceremony, along with interactive workshops focused on science and literature for the participating students involved in arts and cultural education programs.
The afternoon hosted a session titled “Science, Why Not Me?” designed to encourage middle school students to pursue careers in science. The event connected 110 students with eight inspiring women scientists, coinciding with the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science and in partnership with several organizations dedicated to gender equality in STEM fields.
READ MORE – Nathalie Lescaille and Cécile Hudrisier, 2026 Landerneau Album Jeunesse Prize Winners
The “La science se livre” literary prize, with its two awards (Youth Prize and Public Prize), aims to democratize knowledge, promote understanding of the world, engage young people in scientific issues, inspire scientific vocations – particularly among girls – and support the book industry. The award highlights accessible science writing, a growing trend in making complex topics understandable to wider audiences.
Residents of the Hauts-de-Seine region still have the opportunity to become one of the 200 reader-jurors for the 2026 “La science se livre” Public Prize by selecting their favorite among the three shortlisted books. Interested individuals can register on the participation form until March 1, 2026.
The winner of the Public Prize will be announced in mid-May 2026.
“La science se livre” is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space, the CNRS, the Public Information Library, the CEA, the Paris Observatory, the National Museum of Natural History, with the support of the associations Elles bougent, Femmes et Sciences, and in collaboration with the National Library of France, the BIB92 association, the association of scientific journalists of the information press and Libraires en Seine.
Last year, the Youth Prize was awarded to “Une histoire des jardins de l’Antiquité à nos jours” (A History of Gardens from Antiquity to Today) by Mirabelle Croizier, Charlotte Fauve and Antoine Quenardel, illustrated by Thomas Baas, published by Gallimard Jeunesse.
Identify the list of French and Francophone literary prizes
Photographie : Nathalie Léandri, Vice-President of the Hauts-de-Seine Department in charge of education and digital education, presents the 2026 Youth Prize “La science se livre” to the work La nature en équilibre at the departmental nautical park of the Île de Monsieur in Sèvres. To the right, Sophie Lecoq, translator of the work, and in the center, Pauline Charpentier, publisher at Gallimard Jeunesse (© CD92 – Olivier Ravoire)
By Dépêche
Contact : [email protected]
