From a longlist of 24, the judges have chosen eight to shortlist, making this the longest shortlist in the award’s history. As ever, the subject matter is very broad and there are books for readers aged 7 to 17: family dramas, fantasy adventure, science fiction and anarchic comedy.
Author: Natasha Bowen
Editor: Carmen McCullough and Tricia Lin
Publisher: Penguin
Rooted in West African mythology and history, Skin of the Sea is a beautiful reimagining of The Little Mermaid. Simidele or Mami Wata is tasked to collect the souls of deceased West African people thrown overboard from passing slave ships and usher them to the afterlife. But unlike the other Mami Wata, she is troubled by confusing visions of her past life as a human. When she saves a young man from drowning, her actions have dire consequences.
‘epic in scale; ‘a great premise, and the worldbuilding is ambitious but perfectly successful’; ‘I loved the way it drew so dextrously on myths’.
Author: Maisie Chan
Editor: Georgia Murray
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Danny Chung loves art. Unfortunately, everyone else – parents and schoolfriends alike – thinks he should love maths. Then his grandmother arrives from China, and she and Danny have to share a bedroom. It feels like a catastrophe, but could funny, intelligent Nai Nai turn out to be his best friend?
‘well-rounded characters and I loved the depiction of the inter-generational relationship’; ‘you could feel the author’s love for the story she was telling’; ‘it provides a really important perspective.’
Author: Femi Fadugba
Editor: Emma Jones, Stephanie Stein & Asmaa Isse
Publisher: Penguin 12+
Sixteen-year-old Esso Adenon is trying to survive school in South London, but he keeps getting into trouble. After a near-death experience, Esso finds himself caught in the Upper World, a metaphysical realm where he can catch glimpses of the future. Jump forward 15 years and Rhia is equally troubled. When their timelines start to intersect, they must both make decisions about how they can change the trajectory of a single, fateful bullet.
‘strong characters and the science element was cleverly woven in’; ‘it flips the traditional urban narrative in a really interesting way’; ‘the teen voice is spot on’; ‘the timeline is very well-controlled’; ‘I can see this really landing with teenage readers’.
Author: Luke Palmer
Editor: Penny Thomas
Publisher: Firefly Press 12+
Sixteen-year-old Josh’s father was killed in the suicide bombing of a train, while he was going to work. This challenging novel chronicles the grief of Josh and his mother and also the attempt to radicalise Josh made by a group of white supremacists.
‘An unflinching exploration of an important subject’; ‘I felt really immersed in it’; ‘a powerful read’; ‘there’s a sense of raw newness’.
Author: Lesley Parr
Editor: Zöe Griffiths
Publisher: Bloombsury 9+
When Jimmy is evacuated to a small village in Wales, it couldn’t be more different from London. Green, quiet and full of strangers, he instantly feels out of place. But then he finds a skull hidden in a tree, and suddenly the valley is more frightening than the war.
‘a really good read’; ‘atmospheric storytelling at its best’; ‘a satisfying story that creates a unforgettable sense of place’.
Author: Ros Roberts
Editor: Ella Whiddett and Ruth Bennett
Publisher: Little Tiger 9+
This warm-hearted story explores the importance of family, love, friendship and finding ways to communicate emotions and fears. 11-year-old James has a lot to deal with; his parents have split up and both have new partners, his Uncle Bobby has died of cancer, and he is starting a new school. The constant in James’ life is his beloved dog Digger, his support through challenging times, so how will he cope when Digger falls ill?
‘has a very strong emotional punch’; ‘full of tiny observations which are super-effective’; ‘poignant and moving’.
Author: Helen Rutter
Editor: Lauren Fortune
Publisher: Scholastic 10+
Billy Plimpton has a stammer, and he’s determined that it isn’t going to dictate how he is viewed at his new school. In fact he’s got a list of ways he plans to get rid of the stammer before anyone even notices it. One of the ideas has just got to work, so he can start pursuing his dream of being a stand-up comedian.
‘I loved Billy and his journey’; ‘readers absolutely inhabit Billy’s world’; ‘there’s so much to empathise with, and children will love the jokes’; ‘lovely touches of detail throughout’.
Author: Nadia Shireen
Editor: Ali Dougal
Publisher: Simon and Schuster 7+
Grimwood is a paradise for animals (or so it seems) which offers the perfect protection for the young fox, Ted, and his protective sister, Nancy. Lifelong city dwellers, the siblings are forced to escape to the country after an unfortunate incident by the bins outside Speedy Chicken results in the violent mobster cat, Princess Buttons, swearing her revenge upon Ted. But is Grimwood really a fool proof hiding place? Time will tell.
‘made me laugh out loud; ‘anarchic, weird, irreverent, disrespectful’; ‘I loved it’; ‘a wonderful sense of chaos throughout’.
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