The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 were announced on Wednesday 25th October at a ceremony at Waterstones Piccadilly in London.

Now in their fourth year, the Diverse Book Awards were set up to celebrate outstanding inclusive books by authors based in the UK and Ireland. This year saw the the addition of a new Picture Book category, bringing the total number of award categories to four: Picture Books, Children’s Fiction, Young Adult Fiction and Adult Fiction.

Further developments for 2023 included the introduction of a Readers’ Choice Award and the launch of the Malorie Blackman Impact Award for services and commitment to diversity and inclusion in publishing.

Accepting this inaugural award, Malorie Blackman said: ‘I want to say a HUGE thank you to Abiola Bello and Helen Lewis for creating the Diverse Book Awards… They wanted to shine a welcome spotlight on marginalised voices in the publishing world and that is indeed what they have done. I’m so honoured and humbled to launch the new Malorie Blackman Impact Award, to be given to those who have committed to diversity and inclusion in publishing. I can think of no greater accolade than to have such an award named after me.’

This year’s category winners were chosen from a shortlist of nine titles by a panel of independent judges. They will be talking about their books and taking questions from guests at a free online event on Thursday 9th November at 1900.

The Diverse Book Awards  2023 – Picture Books

Winner: Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane (Andersen Press)

Second Place: Nour’s Secret Library by Wafa’ Tarnowska, illustrated by Vali Mintzi (Barefoot Books)

Third Place: Our Tower by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Richard Johnson (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)

 

The Diverse Book Awards  2023 – Children’s Fiction

Winner: The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger by J.T. Williams and illustrated by Simone Douglas (Farshore)

Second Place: The Twig Man by Sana Rasoul (Hashtag Press)

Third Place: A Flash of Fireflies by Aisha Bushby (Farshore)

 

The Diverse Book Awards  2023 – YA Fiction

Winner: When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando (Simon & Schuster)

Second Place: Love In Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello (Simon & Schuster)

Third Place: If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So (Little Tiger)

 

The Diverse Book Awards  2023 – Adult Fiction

Winner: One for Sorrow, Two for Joy by Marie-Claire Amuah (Oneworld Publications)

Second Place: Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn (Viking)

Third Place: The Attic Child by Lola Jaye (Macmillan)

 

The Diverse Book Awards  2023 – Readers’ Choice Awards

Picture Book: Small’s Big Dream by Manjeet Mann, illustrated by Amanda Quartey (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Children’s Fiction: The Twig Man by Sana Rasoul (Hashtag Press)

YA Fiction: Love In Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello (Simon & Schuster)

Adult Fiction: Still Lives by Reshma Ruia (Renard Press)