Lindsey
Barraclough

Long Lankin
by Lindsey Barraclough, edited by Annie Eaton and Natalie Doherty (Bodley Head)

When Cora and her little sister are sent to stay with their aunt in the isolated village of Bryers Guerdon, they receive a less than warm welcome, and are desperate to go back to London. But Auntie Ida's life was devastated the last time two young girls were at Guerdon Hall, and her nieces' arrival has reawoken an ancient evil.

An extremely atmospheric tale and very mature piece of storytelling. Quite unusual and genuinely scary.
 

Phil
Earle

Shannon
Park

Being Billy
by Phil Earle, edited by Shannon Park (Puffin)

Eight years in a care home makes Billy Finn a professional lifer. And angry - with the system, the social workers, and the mother that gave him away. His little brother and sister keep him going, but they can't keep him out of trouble.

The judges said, “Extremely emotionally intelligent; the voice never falters. Excellent descriptions of how the character feels. It made me cry!”
 

Lissa
Evans

Small Change for Stuart
by Lissa Evans, edited by Annie Eaton and Ruth Knowles (Bodley Head)

Ten years old and small for his age, Stuart Horten moves to the dreary town of Beeton, away from all his friends. But before long he is swept up in a quest to find his great-uncle’s lost workshop, a place stuffed with trickery, magic – and danger.

The judges said, “A little gem and a book full of discoveries. Readers will be caught up in the mystery and the problem solving. Family relationships are beautifully handled too.”
 

Ali
Lewis

Charlie
Sheppard

Everybody Jam
by Ali Lewis, edited by Charlie Sheppard (Andersen Press)

Danny lives in middle of the outback. His older brother Jonny was killed in an accident last year, but no-one ever talks about it. Meanwhile his sister is pregnant, the rains haven’t come and it’s time for the annual cattle muster, during which Danny is determined to prove he can fill his brother’s shoes.

The judges said, “A fabulous piece of writing. The voice was completely right and the writing doesn’t falter.”
 

Gill
Lewis

Liz
Cross

Sky Hawk
by Gill Lewis, edited by Liz Cross (OUP)

Iona and Callum form a special bond when they rescue an injured osprey. As tragedy strikes, Callum determines to keep his promise to protect the bird.

The judges said, “An extremely well told animal story, and a very accomplished piece of writing. I liked it more with each reading.”
 

Irfan
Master

A Beautiful Lie
by Irfan Master, edited by Emma Matthewson (Bloomsbury)

India 1947 Bilal is determined to protect his dying father from the news of Partition - news that he knows will break his father's heart. With great spirit and determination, Bilal persuades others to collude with him in this deception.

The judges said, “I loved it! I felt that I was with the boys on the roof! The adult characters too were believeable and sympathetically described.”
 

Annabel
Pitcher

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
by Annabel Pitcher, edited by Fiona Kennedy (Orion)

Ten year old Jamie hasn’t cried since his sister’s death five years before. Though everyone kept saying they would get better with time; things are now worse than ever. Dad drinks, Mum’s gone and Jamie still has a whole heap of unanswered questions.

The judges said, “A very accomplished piece of writing by an author with a clear talent. The descriptions of the way the father handled his daughter’s death and a small child’s reaction to this are very well handled.”