The Génération Mer collective is relaunching the Blue Stars Literary Prize for a second edition dedicated to the ocean. Eighteen works have been selected for 2026 across six categories, from picture books for the youngest readers to science communication titles. The public is invited to vote until September 5 on the prize’s website, ahead of an awards ceremony announced for early October 2026 in Dijon, as part of the festival Les Écrans de l’aventure. In parallel, presentations and activities are planned in several cities to accompany the selection.
Génération Mer is maintaining the prize’s principle: offering a selection of works devoted to the maritime world and opening the vote to readers. It is presented as an initiative intended to circulate sea-related stories among a broad audience, in mainland France as well as overseas. The organizers emphasize the diversity of formats selected, from novels to graphic novels, including children’s books and scientific works.
The selection includes 18 titles divided into six categories: Little Ones, Children, Teenagers, Graphic Novels, Adults, and Science Communication. Each category includes three works. The jury, made up of 27 figures from different fields, notably brings together writers, scientists, teachers, science communicators, and professionals linked to the maritime sector. It is chaired by Anne-France Didier.
The works selected for the 2026 edition:
Open Water Swim – Valérie Michel – Le Diplodocus
Oceans – How Do Waves Form? – Pauline Payen – Gallimard Jeunesse
Under the Ocean: Search for the Most Fascinating Animals – Peggy Nille – Actes Sud Jeunesse
WRECKS – David Marchand, Guillaume Prévôt – Actes Sud Jeunesse
Plankton – Isabelle Collioud – Les éditions Panthera
Nosy Komba – Axelle Rallier du Bâty – Self-published
Charlie Tangaroa and the Creature of the Deep – Tania K. Roxborogh, translated by Christine Roth – Au vent des îles
The Buccaneers of the Chemical Sea – Marguerite Imbert – Gallimard Jeunesse
Perseverance on a Mission. Heading for Greenland! – Elsa Pény-Etienne – Michel Lafon
Two Women – A Story of Mary Read and Anne Bonny – Arnaud Le Gouëfflec, Laurent Richard – Éditions Glénat
History of the Sea – Matz, Jörg Mailliet – Les Arènes
The Long Route – Bernard Moitessier, Younn Locard, Stéphane Melchior – Gallimard
EIAO – Marin Ledun – Au vent des îles
To the End of the Ocean – Arthur Rogé – Éditions du Gros CaillouSomewhere at Sea – Dörte Hansen, translated by Elisabeth Landes – Stock
The Discreet Ones – Dreams of Sea Turtles – David Grémillet – Actes Sud
Sharks and Rays of Réunion Explained for the Curious – Maella Winkler, Stéphanie Dalleau-Coudert – Chakouat éditions – Marmailles doc
Depths – The Secrets of the Deep Sea – Sophie Gambardella, Pascale Ricard, Séverine Martini – CNRS Éditions
Reader voting is open until September 5 on the dedicated website. A winner is to be designated in each of the six categories based on the number of votes received. The awards ceremony is scheduled for early October 2026 in Dijon, during the 35th Les Écrans de l’aventure festival, organized by La Guilde.
Events announced ahead of the awards ceremony
Several events are expected to accompany this edition in the coming months. A presentation of the prize is scheduled for April 24 in Vesoul, at Majestic Espace des lumières, at the initiative of the Lions Club. Another presentation of the selection is announced for June 6, also in Vesoul, at the departmental media library, on the occasion of the Jeunesse fair. The awards ceremony in Dijon is to conclude this calendar.
Beyond the dates already announced, Génération Mer says it wants to keep the prize alive in bookshops, media libraries, schools, and other cultural venues. The organizers mention meetings with authors, public readings, and activities centered on the ocean. The call is also addressed to local authorities, libraries, bookshops, teachers, and project leaders. They are invited to relay the selection, highlight the works, and encourage voting.
The jury chair, Anne-France Didier, is keen to place this edition in a dual register, both literary and environmental. “The selected works reveal both the beauty of the ocean and the urgency of the challenges it faces. An infinite source of inspiration and emotion, the sea opens us to new horizons while also calling our attention to major issues.”
Last year, the Blue Stars Prize 2025 recognized several works related to the maritime world: Lamer, la nuit by Carine Prache (Little Ones category), La Vie marine by Alessia Bacchi and Antoine Doré (Children), Oxcean by Nicolas Michel (Teenagers), Écouter les eaux vives by Emmanuelle Favier (Adults), Les tortuesmarines, 80 clés pour comprendre by Jérôme Bourjea, Hendrik Sauvignet and Stéphane Ciccione (Science Communication), as well as the Overseas Favorite awarded to Souffle de la vague by Ingrid Astier.
