Are you searching for a fantastic new author to get stuck into? Well, look no further than this post. The Branford Boase Award is given annually to the author of an outstanding debut novel for children. This award is unusual in that it also recognises the important work of the editor in nuturing new talent. Authors who have been nominated for this award in the past include Patrick Ness, Siobhan Dowd, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Meg Rosoff and Frances Hardinge. The 2016 winner was Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot by Horatio Clare, edited by Penny Thomas (Firefly Press).
The 2017 shortlisted books are:
Cogheart by Peter Bunzl, edited by Rebecca Hill (Usborne) Ages 8-10
We Are Giants by Amber Lee Dodd, edited by Niamh Mulvey (Quercus) Ages 8-10
Beetle Boy by M G Leonard, edited by Barry Cunningham and Rachel Leyshon (Chicken House) Ages 8-10
Little Bits of Sky by S.E. Durrant, edited by Kirsty Stansfield (Nosy Crow) Ages 9-12
The Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster, edited by Rachel Mann (Simon and Schuster) Ages 9-12
The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, edited by Rachel Leyshon (Chicken House) Ages 10-14
Riverkeep by Martin Stewart edited by Shannon Cullen and Sharyn November (Penguin Random House) Ages 14+
Although I haven’t read Beetle Boy by M.G. Leonard, it has been on my list since The Book Nook pointed it out to me. It has also been getting a lot of press, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one win the award. Personally, I am really excited to see Little Bits of Sky by S.E. Durrant on the list as I have been recommending this left, right and centre to my colleagues on the English team. I found that I couldn’t put down this story of two siblings in care. I also really enjoyed reading We Are Giants by Amber Lee Dodd and The Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster.
Have you read any of the shortlisted books? What did you think?
