To honour quality books beloved by students and teachers, and to recognise talented local authors, Hong Kong Education City (EdCity) held the 22nd Top Ten Book Picks Award Ceremony on 29 January 2026 at M+ at West Kowloon Cultural District. The event was officiated by Dr Choi Yuk Lin, JP, Secretary for Education, and Mr Armstrong Lee Hon Cheung, Chairman of Board of Directors of EdCity. As one of the most representative book vote activities in the academic community, the ceremony also promoted the culture of ‘Love Reading, Enjoy Sharing’, injecting momentum into campus reading.
This year’s Top Ten Book Picks adopted the theme ‘Exploring the Sea of Books in the Cloud’, symbolising the boundless possibilities of online reading that transcend time and space. In her speech, Dr Choi highlighted the diversity of shortlisted titles: detective novels rich in suspense, encyclopedic works combining astronomy, science, and history, engaging essays on Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, and life education books focusing on values and personal growth. She encouraged students to read widely and diligently, experiencing the power of reading to broaden horizons and enrich life.
In his welcome address, Chairman Lee emphasized that reading not only enriches the inner world and cultivates personal refinement, but also fosters independent thinking and innovation. He reiterated EdCity’s commitment to promoting quality reading among primary and secondary students, nurturing lifelong learning habits. He expressed his hope that every student could ‘take books as their vessel and curiosity as their sail’ to freely explore in the vast ocean of knowledge and expand their vision.
The awards highlighted outstanding works across different categories. In the Primary Section, Sherlock Holmes #66: Detective Ape by Lai Ho, illustrated by Chan Ping Kwan, won both the Local Original Award and Most Popular Book among Primary Students. Lai Ho also won ‘Most Popular Author among Primary Students’. In the Secondary Section, Digesting Chinese History–Tang by Wo Bu Shi Bai Chi won the Local Original Award. The Most Popular Book among Secondary Students was Harry Potter: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Magic, with J.K. Rowling also voted ‘Most Popular Author among Secondary Students’. The ceremony additionally presented the Active Participation School Award and recognised winning schools under the ‘Reading Charter’ scheme.
The 22nd Top Ten Book Picks Award Ceremony was officiated by Dr Choi Yuk Lin, JP, Secretary for Education (front row, seventh from the left), and Mr Armstrong Lee Hon Cheung, Chairman of Board of Directors of Hong Kong Education City (front row, sixth from the left).
Dr Choi, Secretary for Education, encouraged students to read widely and diligently, experiencing the power of reading to broaden horizons and enrich life.
In his welcome address, Mr Armstrong Lee, Chairman of Board of Directors of Hong Kong Education City, expressed his hope that every student could ‘take books as their vessel and curiosity as their sail’ to freely explore in the vast ocean of knowledge and expand their vision.
Dr Choi Yuk Lin, JP, Secretary for Education (front row, fifth from the right), together with Mr Armstrong Lee Hon Cheung, Chairman of Board of Directors of Hong Kong Education City, (front row, fourth from the right), and Dr Lam Fung, Executive Director of Hong Kong Education City (front row, fifth from the left), joined other distinguished guests on stage for a group photo.
The most popular books among primary and secondary students were Sherlock Holmes #66: Detective Ape and Harry Potter: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Magic respectively.
Sherlock Holmes #66: Detective Ape, written by Lai Ho (pictured centre) and illustrated by Chan Ping-kwan (pictured left), won both the Local Original Award–Primary Section and the Most Popular Book among Primary Students. Lai Ho was also honoured with the title of Most Popular Author among Primary Students this year.
J.K. Rowling was awarded Most Popular Author among Secondary Students, while her work Harry Potter: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Magic received the honour of Most Popular Book among Secondary Students. The award was accepted on her behalf by a representative from the publishing house.
Student representatives from two award-winning schools under the Reading Charter scheme, St Marcel Primary School (Sacred Heart Canossian School of Charity) and Liu Po Shan Memorial College, shared their reading experiences.
Hong Kong Taoist Association Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School was one of the winners of the Active Participation School Award in the Secondary Section.