Congratulations to all the authors and editors shortlisted for this year’s Branford Boase Award.

Launched in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase, the Branford Boase Award is presented annually to the author of the most promising début novel for children aged seven and up. The award aims to celebrate and encourage new authors at the start of their writing career and is the only children’s book award that honours the editor of the winning title as well as the author, highlighting the important role an editor plays in developing and nurturing new talent.

Many of the début authors that have been shortlisted over the award’s 25 years have gone on to become celebrated figures in the children’s book world, including 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 25 by a panel of judges made up of librarians, educationalists and last year’s winner, author Christine Pillainayagam.

Commenting on the shortlist, Julia Eccleshare, co-founder of the award and chair of judges, said: “As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Branford Boase Award, we are particularly excited to announce this shortlist. We have seen huge changes in the number of books submitted for the award, but more importantly in the range of stories being written. The development of own voice narratives is particularly exciting. The shortlisted authors are extremely talented, and there’s an authenticity and freshness to their books that we found exhilarating.”

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 31st May to submit entries. Find out more about this year’s competition.

The 2024 Branford Boase Award shortlist:

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, edited by Charlotte Hacking (Otter-Barry Books). The judges found this extremely accomplished, a perfect verse novel. It’s harrowing, but has a playfulness to it too, and reads like a true story.

The First Move by Jenny Ireland, edited by Ruth Knowles with Sara Jafari (Penguin). The judges were enthralled by this book and admire the quality of the writing, adding, “It’s rare to see disability represented in romances and Juliet’s unglamorous disease is described very well.”

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan, edited by Eloise Wilson (Andersen Press). The judges were very impressed by this illuminating story of compassion and courage, which is inspired by real events. “It’s a story I didn’t know, and one that feels really needed right now”.

Steady for This by Nathanael Lessore, edited by Ella Whiddett and Ruth Bennett (Hot Key Books). The judges described it as “close to perfect, with a loveable central character. The story is authentic, with real emotional depth.”

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell, edited by Ben Horsley and Julie Strauss-Gabel (Puffin). The judges loved Beth Lincoln’s clever, original reworking of the country house murder mystery, praising its comic inventiveness, and cast of colourfully named queer-friendly characters. “It’s hard to put down and keeps you guessing throughout. Brilliant use of etymology and full of ideas.”

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud, edited by Sarah Stewart (Usborne Publishing Ltd). Hanan’s quiet courage moved all the judges, who admire the storytelling and the quality of the writing.

The winner of this year’s Branford Boase Award will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday 10th July 2024. Watch out for our winner announcement.

For more children’s book awards, click here.