The shortlists for the Readings prizes for Children and Young Adults have been announced. The Australian awards are given for the best new contribution from an emerging author. Winners will be announced on November 14. Here are the two shortlists:

CHILDREN’S PRIZE SHORTLIST

Big Trouble with Angry Chairs by Lachlann Carter, illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking (available in US)

The Girl Who Cried Bird by Katherine Collette

Hi from Outer Space by Fiona Katauskas (available in US)

How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil (available in US)

Queen of Dogs by Joe Weatherstone

YOUNG ADULT PRIZE SHORTLIST

Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho (available in US)

Anomaly by Emma Lord

A Good Kind of Trouble by Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward

How to Be Normal by Ange Crawford (coming to US in April 2026)

This Dream Will Devour Us by Emma Clancey (available in US)

White Noise by Raelke Grimmer