The shortlist for the Adrien Prize 2024 was announced on 9th January. Now in its second year, the Adrien Prize was set up by best-selling author Elle McNicoll to celebrate middle grade and YA fiction that provides a positive portrayal of a protagonist with a disability.

In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, McNicoll said: ‘Publishing told me, back in 2019, that they only wanted disability if it was sad. It the character was unlikeable. Or secondary. Or dead by the end. This prize says no. Disabled leads can be fun and happy and nuanced and in control of the narrative and, most importantly, not dead or cured by the end.’

You can find out more about why McNicoll set up the Adrien Prize in this article in Books for Keeps.

Commenting on this year’s shortlist, McNicoll said: ‘It was really hard to put this shortlist together, as there were so many great entries this year… as ever, our winner will be chosen by a team of young readers. Children vote for the winner, because children’s opinions are the ones that matter. I only have a job because kids love my books.”

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors!

Adrien Prize 2024 Shortlist

When I See Blue by Lily Bailey (Orion Children’s Books)

Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend by Lizzie Huxley-Jones (Knights Of)

The Circle Breakers by Patience Agbabi (Canongate Books)

Jayben and the Golden Torch by Thomas Leeds (Hodder Children’s Books)

Find more inclusive children’s book awards here.