The YA Book Prize launched in 2014 to award a YA title written by an author living in the UK or Ireland. Organised by book trade magazine The Bookseller and run in partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival where the winners were announced. The shortlist is selected by a team at The Bookseller and the winner is selected by a panel of expert and teenage judges, who are asked to pick the book they believe is the best-written and that they would be most likely to share with young adults.
It is the first UK and Ireland prize to specifically focus on fiction for young adults. The prize celebrates great books for teenagers and young adults and aims to get more teens reading and buying books.
From a shortlist of 10 the 2023 winner chosen was:
| When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando. Simon & Schuster ISBN: 978-1471178795 When three teenagers from very different walks of life witness a stabbing, they are unexpectedly brought together. What follows flips their worlds upside down and makes them question the deep-rooted prejudice and racism that exists within the police, the media, and the rest of society. A book that deals with difficult themes in an empowering way by showing the value of resilience, determination and found family when faced with adversity. It is utterly readable, topically relevant and deeply compelling. It is also important for representing UK culture and experience rather than that of the USA |  |
Shortlist
Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber (ELECTRIC MONKEY) ISBN: 978-0755503643
The Eternal Return of Clara Hart by Louise Finch (LITTLE ISLAND BOOKS) ISBN: 978-1915071026
Five Survive by Holly Jackson(ELECTRIC MONKEY)) ISBN: 978-0008507237
The Songs You’ve Never Heard by Becky Jerams & Ellie Wyatt (SWEET CHERRY) ISBN: 978-1782266754
The Cats We Meet Along The Way by Nadia Mikail (GUPPY BOOKS) ISBN: 978-1913101596
Her Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury (DAVID FICKLING BOOKS) ISBN: 978-1788452137
If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So (LITTLE TIGER PRESS) ISBN: 978-1788953443
The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven (ELECTRIC MONKEY) ISBN: 978-1405296939
Kemosha of the Caribbean by Alex Wheatle (ANDERSEN PRESS) ISBN: 978-1839131219
Discussion Notes on each title and author Q& A and first chapter extracts can be found here
https://www.thebookseller.com/awards/the-ya-book-prize?tab=shortlist
