For a full list on nominees, and to read what the judges have said about them, check out the New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults.
Catch a Falling Star by Eileen Merriman
Jamie Orange has scored a lead role in the school musical – Shrek. Juggling school, writing, parents, rehearsals, friends and impossible attraction, Jamie careens through life in creative overdrive. As the pressure builds, Jamie spirals into crisis. A superbly written and frenetically paced novel that carries readers all the way to the brink.
New Dawning by AM Dixon
Generations after climate crisis, Merel and Ren live under The Covers on the isolated island of Littleton, in a society controlled by strict rules. As the friends navigate this shadowy world, their uncertainty about the status quo grows. With cohesive worldbuilding and convincing characterisation, this is a striking and immersive dystopian novel.
The Sparrow by Tessa Duder
It’s 1840 and solitary teen Harry arrives in Waitematā Harbour with colonists who intend to establish the settlement that will become Auckland. Determined to return to England, Harry must first find a way to survive. Combining meticulous historical research and magnificent storytelling, this is an unputdownable read, complete with villains and identity swapping.
Tonight, I Burn by Katharine J Adams
Penny Albright is a thorn witch. Her kind must perform as death-walkers or serve in the soulless Gilded army. Each night one thorn witch burns, patrols the veil between life and death, then returns. But one morning Penny’s sister doesn’t come back. Immersive worldbuilding, inclusive romance and intense action are combined in a spellbinding dark fantasy.
Tsunami by Ned Wenlock
Tsunami depicts the intertwined lives of self-righteous social misfit Peter, his bullying nemesis Gus, and new girl Charlie. In a disturbing portrayal of the casual brutality of Kiwi adolescence, a series of misunderstandings has terrible consequences. Deceptively simplistic illustrations are juxtaposed with serious subject matter in this impactful graphic novel for teen readers.
