The Guardian children’s fiction longlist has been announced.  Dark-themed books are the bulk of the list with a distinct lack of vampires.  Who would ever have thought that dark and deep novels would be a refreshing change of pace!

Here is the list:

Genesis by Bernard Beckett (available in the US)

Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd (coming to the US in October 2009)

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner (coming to the US in September 2009)

Then by Morris Gleitzman (Don’t think this is available yet in the US.  Not clear.)

Rowan the Strange by Julie Hearn (not in the US yet)

Exposure by Mal Peet (not in the US yet)

Nation by Terry Pratchett (like this cover much better than the US one!)

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick (coming July 2009)