The finalists for the Kirkus Young Readers Prize are selected from all of the books given a starred review by Kirkus between November 1, 2013 and October 31, 2014.  For the Young Readers category, six books were selected: two in each age category of picture book, middle grade and teen. 

Here are the finalists:

 

Aviary Wonders Inc.: Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual by Kate Samworth

El Deafo by Cece Bell

 

The Freedom Summer Murders by Don Mitchell

The Key That Swallowed Joey Pigza by Jack Gantos

 

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim by E. K. Johnston