Branford Boase Award 2026 announces shortlist of debut authors

The shortlist for the 2026 Branford Boase Award, which highlights upcoming new voices in books for children and young adults, has been announced with seven titles making it to the shortlist.

This year's shortlist includes a rom com, a horror story, thought-provoking contemporary stories for YA readers, a sci-fi thriller, and two rich, meaningful stories for pre-teen and early teen readers.

The Branford Boase Award highlights the most talented new writers for children at the very start of their careers. Recent winners and shortlisted authors include Maisie Chan, Struan Murray, Hiba Noor Khan, JP Rose, Matt Goodfellow, Elle McNicoll and Nathanael Lessore. Margaret McDonald won in 2025 with Glasgow Boys.

The Branford Boase Award also honours the editor of the winning book and highlights the importance of editors in nurturing new talent. It is the only award to do this.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 8 July 2026. The winning author receives a cheque for £1,000 and both author and editor receive an inscribed plaque. The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition, the annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award, is open now.

The seven books shortlisted for the 2026 Branford Boase Award are:

Tart by Becki Jayne Crossley, edited by Cathy Liney (Bloomsbury)

How to Roller Skate with One Leg by Ella Dove, illustrated by Jennifer Jamieson, edited by Anne Marie Ryan (Orchard Books)

Evie and Maryam's Family Tree by Janeen Hayat, edited by Bella Pearson (Guppy Books)

Love on Sight by Asli Jensen, edited by Shalini Vallepur (Chicken House)

Gloam by Jack Mackay, edited by Katie Jennings (Rock the Boat)

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn, edited by Emma Jones and Charlie Castelletti (First Ink)

Augmented by Kenechi Udogu, edited by Natasha Brown and Jenny Glencross (Faber)

Julia Eccleshare, co-founder of the Branford Boase Award and chair of the judges, said, "The Branford Boase Award is special in so many ways. You can only win it once; it is the only award to recognise the vital role of the editor in nurturing talented new writers; and it identifies the direction of contemporary writing and publishing for children and young people."

This year's judges are Margaret McDonald, who together with her editors Alice Swan and Ama Badu won the 2025 Branford Boase Award with Glasgow Boys; Katherine Woodfine, author and reviewer for The Week Junior; Stephen Dilley, Head of English at Kendrick School, Reading and part of the UKLA Book Awards team; and Anjali Patel Lead Advisory Teacher, CLPE. The judging panel is chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children's book consultant, the Hay Festival.

The Branford Boase Award 2026 shortlist

Tart by Becki Jayne Crossley, edited by Cathy Liney (Bloomsbury)

Set in a quaint English village, Becki Jayne Crossley's YA novel explores the damaging effects of peer pressure and crowd mentality and how hiding your identity to fit in can be devastating. The judges say: 'The small-town setting is very convincing and the book deals with important themes honestly and authentically. It has an incredibly strong opening and holds readers' attention to the end.

How to Roller Skate with One Leg by Ella Dove, illustrated by Jennifer Jamieson, edited by Anne Marie Ryan (Orchard Books)

Maya is returning to Year 8 after the traffic accident in which she lost her leg, and determined to live her life exactly as she wants which means learn to roller skate, and host the best party ever.

The judges say:  'This funny, touching story explains Maya's experience of disability very well, but does much more besides, creating an original and convincing inner voice and portraying Maya, her friends and family sensitively and with real insight.

Evie and Maryam's Family Tree by Janeen Hayat, edited by Bella Pearson (Guppy Books)

Winner of the Waterstones Best Book for Younger Readers 2026. Janeen Hayat's debut novel tells the stories of four girls, two of whom live in present day England, two who meet in Delhi in 1929. They turn out to be much more closely connected than they think in a story that explores themes of family history, cultural identity, memory and untold stories.

The judges say:  'Rich, meaningful content is handled with a lightness of touch that feels exactly right for the readership.'

Love on Sight by Asli Jensen, edited by Shalini Vallepur (Chicken House)

Sabrina, a Jamaican English teenager, is a star student with her sights set on university. Jalaal, a Somali teenager, is a small-time drug dealer with only a dusty dream of starting a street clothing brand. They could not appear more different, but a chance meeting at a party leads to an unexpected relationship.

The judges say:  'Powerful and authentic, say the judges, covering topics and themes not often found in YA literature, and providing a strong sense of community and working-class culture.

Gloam by Jack Mackay, edited by Katie Jennings (Rock the Boat)

In an old house, on a remote island, Gwen and her siblings encounter a terrifying monster. If only they could convince their stepfather of the dangers they're facing.

The judges say:  'A scary and evocative Gothic thriller that is also great fun to read, this shows children how hard it is to be a grown up.'

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn, edited by Emma Jones and Charlie Castelletti (First Ink)

Teenager Patrick, or to use his preferred, self-invented nickname, Patch, is indeed a drama king. Having come out to the drama group he attends, he is determined that this is the term he will get a boyfriend but, as all readers know, the path to true love is never smooth.

The judges say, 'Louise Rennison for a new generation! This small town, big emotions romance is sharply observed, witty, full of characters readers will adore, and manages to be both hilarious and heartfelt.'

Augmented by Kenechi Udogu, edited by Natasha Brown and Jenny Glencross (Faber)

Set in an all too plausible future London suffering extreme weather conditions, this tense sci-fi eco-thriller stars Akaego, whose life changes dramatically when she is identified as a 'mechsim' with the ability to enhance plant growth.

The judges say, 'A very clever dystopian adventure, set in a well realised world. It's unusual to see characters of Akaego's background as protagonists in this kind of story, and this is a book that goes well beyond the issues at its heart.

The Branford Boase Award was founded in 2000 to commemorate prize-winning author Henrietta Branford and Walker Books editor Wendy Boase. It is delivered in partnership with the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) and supported by Walker Books.