Reflecting on the Oxford Big Read Global 2024

At the end of 2024, we were excited to host the sixth edition of the Oxford Big Read Global. This annual campaign, which champions reading and literacy, has grown significantly in scale and impact over the years, with winners selected nationally through participating OUP branches, who then become semi-finalists in the global competition.

The Oxford Big Read is designed to inspire a love for reading and showcase students’ literacy skills. Across our regional offices—including Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, India, and Pakistan—we receive thousands of submissions from students at participating schools each year. Participants read from a curated selection of our books and complete projects based on their reading. The competition is divided into three categories according to age groups, each requiring a different type of project.

Reflecting on the success of the Oxford Big Read Global 2024, we are thrilled that we saw record-breaking participation from 575 schools and over 7,000 entries worldwide. Each national event culminated in a global showcase of literary talent, highlighting the diverse and exceptional abilities of young readers from around the world, and demonstrating the power of reading to transform lives and connect people across cultures.

Priyadarshini Bhattacharya, Associate Director of Marketing, expressed her pride in hosting the competition for the first time from OUP India: “We are especially proud to share that India, Pakistan, and Latin America have secured two prestigious positions each at the global level, out of the six prizes awarded. These achievements highlight the exceptional talent the countries nurture and how OUP continues to provide a platform to bring such brilliance to the global forefront.”

Here are the winners of the Oxford Big Read Global 2024:

Category 1 – design a new book jacket (5-8 years old)

• Winner: Lara Rusticcini from Argentina
• Runner-up: Pavin S from India

Category 2 – tell us what you found interesting about the book or what you would change (9-12 years old)

• Winner: Anwesha Dutta from India
• Runner-up: Anabia Imtanan from Pakistan

Category 3 – write a critical review (13-15 years old)

• Winner: Droshum Ali from Pakistan
• Runner-up: Gabriela Orozco Serrano from Colombia

We want to acknowledge and thank our judges—Martin Alexander, Pete Spurrier, and Sarah Brennan—for their expertise and dedication in giving meticulous reviews and thoughtful feedback for each entry. We also thank all our participating schools and young people.

As we look to the future, we are excited to make Oxford Big Read 2025 even more impactful, engaging more schools, and nurturing even more talented young readers. Find out more about Oxford Big Read here.