The UK’s Branford Boase Award focuses on debut novels for children and teens. Here are the shortlisted titles for this year:

 

Bone Jack by Sara Crowe

Cowgirl by Giancarlo Gemin

 

The Dark Inside by Rupert Wallis

Half Bad by Sally Green

 

Leopold Blue by Rosie Rowell

Trouble by Non Pratt

The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss