The 2026 Indie Book Awards longlist has been announced by Australian independent booksellers for their favorite books of 2025. The shortlist will be announced in January with the winners awarded in March. The awards cover a wide variety of books for all ages. Here are the longlisted titles for the youth categories:

CHILDREN’S LONGLIST

If We Were Dogs by Sophie Blackall (available in US)

Dear Broccoli by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Cate James

Dropbear by Philip Bunting (available in US)

Harry and Gran Bake a Cake by Fiona McIntosh, illustrated by Sara Acton

Ningaloo by Tim Winton, illustrated by Cindy Lane

Ninja Girl by Anh Do, illustrated by James Hart

Once I Was a Giant by Zeno Sworder

Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey, illustrated by Sara Acton

Silverborn by Jessica Townsend (available in US)

There’s a Prawn in the Parliament House: The Kids’ Guide to Australia’s Amazing Democracy by Annabel Crabb, illustrated by First Dog on the Moon

YOUNG ADULT LONGLIST

Catch by Sarah Brill

Cruel Is the Light by Sophie Clark (available in US)

Darkest Night, Brightest Star by Barry Jonsberg (released in US in June 2026)

Drift by Pip Harry

The Foal in the Wire by Robbie Coburn

Eleanor Jones Is Playing with Fire by Amy Doak

Sonny & Tess by Nova Weetman

This Season’s Draft by Jason Gent

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson (available in US)

Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni (available in US)