Schoolchildren visiting the Sharjah Book Fair 2026 are discovering books across different languages and genres, with many enjoying the experience of browsing physical copies. While students praise the variety and organisation, some are calling for bigger discounts to make books more affordable.
SHARJAH: From thrillers and comics to books in different languages, the Sharjah Book Fair is drawing enthusiastic young readers, with visiting schoolchildren describing the excitement of discovering stories beyond their classroom textbooks.
Students from schools across the UAE are exploring the 45th edition of the international literary event, being held at Expo Centre Sharjah from November 4 to 15, 2026.
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Young readers discover their favourite books
Fatima Hussain, a Grade 9 student at Sharjah Indian School, told The Brew News that she has visited several book fairs but finds this year’s edition particularly impressive.
She praised the extensive selection of thrillers, comedy books and comics, along with comfortable seating areas and food facilities. Her favourite author is Holly Jackson, known for her young adult mystery novels.
For Fatima, the experience offers readers an opportunity to discover new titles and explore different genres.
Students want more affordable books
Anakha, another Grade 9 student, appreciated the organisation and variety. She explained that some students cannot afford to purchase books because they do not receive pocket money or have sufficient funds from their parents.
However, she believes visiting a physical book fair offers something online shopping cannot replace: the opportunity to hold books, turn pages and read summaries before choosing what to buy. Anakha named Holly Jackson and J. K. Rowling among her favourite authors.
Teachers welcome multilingual reading opportunities
Sneha, an English teacher at Sharjah Indian School, thanked the Sharjah Government for giving students the opportunity to explore literature. She highlighted the availability of books in English, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and Malayalam, reflecting the multilingual backgrounds of students.
According to Sneha, many children already practise reading at school and home, while educational visits encourage them to discover literature independently.
First-time visitors find reading enjoyable
For Eshaal Atif, a Year 6 student at Happy Home English School, visiting the fair for the first time was an encouraging experience. The young reader described the visit as an opportunity to discover that reading can be enjoyable.
Meanwhile, Rakesh Kumar, Joint Director of the National Book Trust, India, welcomed the enthusiasm shown by schoolchildren despite the growing popularity of mobile phones and tablets.
He said the National Book Trust had distributed books to children at its stand to encourage reading.
Impact to expect
The growing enthusiasm of students at Sharjah Book Fair highlights the importance of school visits in developing lifelong reading habits. Greater affordability and multilingual access could help more young readers discover books, strengthen literacy and reduce dependence on digital entertainment.
