Nathanael Lessore wins the 2024 Branford Boase Award for Steady For This. Nathanael shares the win with his editors, Ella Whiddett and Ruth Bennett, of Hot Key Books.
Thursday 24 April 2025: The shortlist for the 2025 Branford Boase Award, given annually to the author and editor of the year’s outstanding debut novel for children, is announced today. It features “refreshingly different” stories that demonstrate the strength of publishing for children
The Branford Boase Award is a barometer, identifying trends and new directions in children’s literature. It is also the only award to honour the editor of the winning title and highlights the importance of editors in nurturing new talent.
From a longlist of 20 books, the judges have chosen six to shortlist; a mix of fantasy and realism, with escapism and humour alongside hard-hitting contemporary stories.
The 2025 Henrietta Branford Writing Competition, the annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award, is now open.
The competition aims to find and encourage writers of the future, something Henrietta was always keen to do. Anyone under the age of 19 can enter.
This year’s theme for the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition was inspired by the book that won the Branford Boase Award in 2024, Steady For This by Nathanael Lessore. Nathanael’s book is bright, funny, joyful and fresh; it makes readers laugh out loud. Make ‘em laugh!
The Branford Boase Award is delivered in partnership with the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) and supported by Walker Books.
Andrea Reece
30 Winton Avenue, London, N11 2AT
Tel: 0208 889 1292
Mob: 07807 893369
Email: branford.boase@gmail.com
Andrea Reece
Tel: 07807 893369 | Email: branford.boase@gmail.com