Branford Boase shortlist announced
The annual Branford Boase Award celebrates the best debut novel for children aged seven and upwards, and also highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new authors. The Award was set up in memory of the outstanding children's writer Henrietta Branford and the gifted editor Wendy Boase, who worked on a number of books together. They both died of cancer in 1999.
The eagerness of publishers to find new talent is apparent from the high number of entries, with 48 debut novels being submitted for consideration this year.
The shortlist:
Home by Nicola Davies, edited by Nicola Davies (Walker)
A Dog Called Grk by Joshua Doder, edited by Audrey Adams (Andersen Press)
Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge, edited by Ruth Alltines (Macmillan)
The Burying Beetle by Ann Kelley, edited by Jennie Renton (Luath Press)
Century by Sarah Singleton, edited by Venetia Gosling (Simon & Schuster)
Hellbent by Anthony McGowan, edited by Alex Antscherl (Doubleday)
Barkbelly by Cat Weatherill, edited by Yvonne Hooker (Puffin)
Judges this year were Clive Barnes of Southampton Libraries, Geraldine Brennan of the TES, Sam Harrison of Waterstones and Meg Rosoff, last year's winner for How I Live Now. Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare said: "A first novel is always exciting. Each brings the potential of a new voice, a new way of telling the story. The lure of childrenÂ’s books to so many new and talented authors and the current enthusiasm among editors to nurture them has given us a remarkable year for submissions."
The final winner will be announced on 29th June.
The eagerness of publishers to find new talent is apparent from the high number of entries, with 48 debut novels being submitted for consideration this year.
The shortlist:
Home by Nicola Davies, edited by Nicola Davies (Walker)
A Dog Called Grk by Joshua Doder, edited by Audrey Adams (Andersen Press)
Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge, edited by Ruth Alltines (Macmillan)
The Burying Beetle by Ann Kelley, edited by Jennie Renton (Luath Press)
Century by Sarah Singleton, edited by Venetia Gosling (Simon & Schuster)
Hellbent by Anthony McGowan, edited by Alex Antscherl (Doubleday)
Barkbelly by Cat Weatherill, edited by Yvonne Hooker (Puffin)
Judges this year were Clive Barnes of Southampton Libraries, Geraldine Brennan of the TES, Sam Harrison of Waterstones and Meg Rosoff, last year's winner for How I Live Now. Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare said: "A first novel is always exciting. Each brings the potential of a new voice, a new way of telling the story. The lure of childrenÂ’s books to so many new and talented authors and the current enthusiasm among editors to nurture them has given us a remarkable year for submissions."
The final winner will be announced on 29th June.
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