Here, for what its worth, are my personal choices. Call them predictions, if you like.
For the longlist
Amongst the titles nominated for 2024 are some excellent and highly engaging books. However, truly outstanding titles that I think fully deserve to go onto the longlist are:
Unraveller
Frances Hardinge is a well established star in the firmament of fantasy for older children/teens. Her wild, weird imagination combines with rich and intelligent story building and this latest novel is one of her best.
The Lorikeet Tree
Paul Jennings has long been the go-to name for zany and hilarious short stories, but here he again proves brilliantly that he can do moving and meaningful too.
The Boy Lost in the Maze
Joseph Coelho’s novel in poems is a challenging read for older teens, but it is is richly rewarding in so many ways.
World Weaver
It feels to me that Sam Gayton is sometimes rather under-acknowledged as the fine writer for young people that he is. His entertaining books are always original and highly imaginative and both these qualities are found in abundance in his latest, totally engrossing fantasy.
Swimming on the Moon
I tend to think that Brian Conaghan is at his very best writing for teens, but, even so, this sensitive MG title is full of truthful understanding about life for many children.
The Chestnut Roaster
Eve McDonnell is one of the most accomplished of our newer children’s writers and this, her second MG title, excels in setting, character, plot and themes. It is an absolute delight.
For the shortlist
Nevertheless, the nominations that, to me, have the most enduring literary merit and/or cultural importance and really ought to make it all the way to the shortlist are:
The Song Walker
Zillah Bethell’s stunning novel draws on First Nation Australian culture for its references and its beautifully written, multi-layered story is full of resonant meaning. Often moving, it is never heavy and its narrative is nothing short of compulsive. This is children’s fiction of the highest order.
Tyger
Alredy deservedly a widely-read children’s author, SF Said has excelled even his own high standards with this devastating novel. Replete with illuminating references to William Blake and other classics, as well as demonstrating the author’s own rich creativity, it lifts children’s literature to new heights.
Wild Song
Candy Gourlay’s story of a First Nation American girl is hard-hitting, disturbing, and deeply moving, although it is ultimately uplifting too. Its harsh implications are equally applicable to the many other instances of aggressive colonialism, which still too often rolls on into disrespect of Black lives today. It is as engaging as it is relevant.
Boy Like Me
This hugely important novel from Simon James Green explores the harm and potential harm done to gay boys by ‘Section 28’ legislation in the 1990s. It is often funny, always tender and deeply insightful. However, it does not shy away from hurtful realities, and carries crucial implications for our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Far more than just a ‘gay book’, it deserves to be read widely.
The Door of No Return
Here Kwame Alexander remarkably fuses two generally disparate things, poetry and the epic novel. And he does it with engrossing success. The poetry gives depth of perception and feeling, whilst the overall coming-of-age narrative sweeps through experiences fuelled by African myth and a dream of true freedom. The focus on the roots of much Black culture in Africa is wonderful for many to know and others to share.
Crossing the Line
Another superb ‘verse’ novel, many of whose sections come closer to poetry, Tia Fisher’s detailed capture of a troubled teen boy’s descent into drug dealing and eventually horrendous involvement with ‘county lines’ gangs is a deeply insightful, if harrowing, read. Understanding without being sympathetic, it has real power and will be an important read for many.
If I could, I would give the award to every one of these six writers. Whether the judges eventually agree of not, these are very great books that will engage, enrich and enlighten readers for many years to come. (Many of them are reviewed in full elsewhere on this blog.)