The shortlist for the 2025 Branford Boase Award has been announced. Launched in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase, the Branford Boase Award is presented annually to the author and editor of the most promising début novel for children aged seven and up. It is the only children’s book award that honours the editor of the winning title, highlighting the important role an editor plays in developing and nurturing new talent.

The Branford Boase Award is a barometer, often identifying new trends and directions in children’s literature. It has also consistently recognised future stars at the start of their writing careers. Last year’s winner Nathanael Lessore has already gone on to be named the winner of this year’s Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Readers, while previous winners in the award’s 25 year history include Katya Balen, Frances Hardinge, M.G. Leonard, Patrick Ness, Onjali Q Raúf, Philip Reeve, Meg Rosoff and Marcus Sedgwick.

This year’s shortlist of six titles was whittled down from a longlist of 20 by a panel of judges made up of librarians, educationalists and last year’s winner, Nathanael Lessore.

Commenting on the shortlist, Julia Eccleshare, co-founder of the award and chair of judges, said: ‘There is a great deal of very good new writing out there. On another strong shortlist, we are delighted to highlight these refreshingly different voices and stories. The 2025 Branford Boase Award shortlist proves that there is nothing children’s authors can’t write about, and the breadth and variety of these outstanding books are a hallmark of the healthy state of writing and publishing for children in the UK.’

However, she also said, ‘But we all agree that too many of the books we read are simply too long. Publishers are over-estimating the amount of time children are prepared to spend reading. When you’ve said what you want to say, stop!’

Running alongside the Branford Boase Award is the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition. Set up to encourage writing talent in young people aged 8-18, schools have until 30th May to submit entries. Find out more about this year’s competition.

Congratulations to all this year’s shortlisted authors and editors!

The 2025 Branford Boase Award shortlist:

Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm by Ash Bond, edited by Ruth Bennett (Piccadilly Press). The judges admired Ash Bond’s strong voice and the way she manages an intricate plot in this long, but pacey read.

The Boy in the Suit by James Fox, edited by Lauren Fortune (Scholastic). ‘This book caught us by surprise,’ said the judges, ‘it’s layered and lets us know exactly what Solo is going through. An important, authentic voice.’

Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, edited by Katie Sinfield (Penguin). ‘Powerful and memorable,’ said the judges of this hard-hitting verse novel that includes multiple themes.

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan, edited by Rachel Leyshon (Chicken House). The judges loved the world Amie Jordan creates, and the skill with which she structures the plot, declaring it a page-turner with appeal for all.

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald, edited by Alice Swan, assisted by Ama Badu (Faber & Faber). The judges were deeply moved by the way the novel describes the experiences of young care leavers and with the character development throughout. (Also shortlisted for this year’s Carnegie Medal for Writing and the UKLA Book Awards.)

The Boy to Beat the Gods by Ashley Thorpe, edited by Sarah Stewart (Usborne Publishing). ‘A terrific working of the quest format,’ said the judges of this exciting, fast-moving story that turns tradition on its head. (Also shortlisted for this year’s Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize.)

The winner of this year’s Branford Boase Award will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday 11th July 2025. Watch out for our winner announcement.

For more children’s book awards, click here.