Shortlists for the Costa Book Awards 2021 announced

Shortlist for the 2020 Costa Children's Book Award (selected from 194 entries)

This year's judges for the Children's Book Award include Gill Edwards, owner, The Little Ripon Bookshop; Smriti Halls, author; Lucas Maxwell, school librarian, writer and podcaster.

Judges summary of the 2021 Costa Children's Book Award shortlist: 'This shortlist encompasses books with enormous courage, humour and hope and will have readers hooked.'

Maggie Blue and the Dark World by Anna Goodall (Guppy Books)

Maggie has always preferred her own company, but when she witnesses the kidnap of the school bully, she knows she is the only one who can help. After all, nobody would believe that the kidnapper was the school counsellor. With only a sarcastic talking cat for company, Maggie finds herself entering a dark and dangerous world - a place where happiness is valued above everything.

Anna Goodall was born in London into a family of musicians. After working in publishing, running a small literary magazine, bookselling and very occasional journalism, Anna took a Masters in Scriptwriting at Goldsmiths. Maggie Blue and the Dark World is her first novel.

Judges: 'A thrilling, fantastical adventure - original, engaging and with the best talking cat since Alice in Wonderland.'

The Crossing by Manjeet Mann (Penguin)

Natalie's world is falling apart. She's just lost her mum and her brother marches the streets of Dover full of hate and anger. Swimming is her only refuge. Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes on his journey is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future. The Crossing is about two teenagers from opposite worlds - a profound story of hope, grief, and the very real tragedies of the refugee crisis, written in verse.

Manjeet Mann is an actor, playwright, screenwriter and director. She is the founder of Run the World - an organization that works with women and girls from marginalized backgrounds and helps to empower them through sport and storytelling. She lives in Kent.

Judges: 'Powerful, intelligent and emotive - it demonstrates in its very fabric just how little truly separates us.'

The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery (Walker Books)

Sometimes at the darkest hour, hope shines the brightest…

When Col's childhood imaginary friends come to life, he discovers a world where myths and legends are real. Accompanied by his guardians - a six-foot tiger, a badger in a waistcoat and a miniature knight - Col must travel to Blitz-bombed-London to save his sister. But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon, Col is pursued by the terrifying Midwinter King, who is determined to bring an eternal darkness down over everything.

Ross Montgomery started writing stories as a teenager. His debut novel, Alex, the Dog and the Unopenable Door, was nominated for the 2013 Costa Children's Book Award and the Branford Boase Award. It was also selected as one of The Sunday Times' “Top 100 Modern Children's Classics”. His books have also been nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Award while his picture book Space Tortoise was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Award and included in the Guardian's Best New Children's Books of 2018. He lives in London with his girlfriend and their cat, called Fun Bobby.

Judges: 'A hugely entertaining, fast-paced adventure with a cast of fabulous characters.'

The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter (Scholastic UK)

Billy is an eleven-year-old boy with a big dream. He wants to be a stand-up comedian when he grows up: delivering pinpoint punchlines and having audiences hang on his every hilarious word. A tough career for anyone, but surely impossible for Billy, who has a stammer. How will he find his voice if his voice won't let him speak?

The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh is Helen Rutter's first novel. She lives just outside Sheffield and has worked as an actor for many years. The idea for this story came from her son, Lenny, who has a stammer: she wanted to write the book that he would love to read, starring a child like him. She hopes that children will be able to relate to feeling unheard, different from the rest and unable to find their voice.

Judges: 'Heart-warming, humorous and full of hope and joy.'