51. The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn
Final book on the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - a laugh-out-loud funny queer romantic comedy with a flawed but lovable narrator and a totally believable self-absorbed narrative voice.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
50. Odd Girl Out by Tasneem Abdur-Rashid
Powerful and illuminating YA novel from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist, exploring identity, belonging and Islamophobia through the experiences of a 16-year-old girl who moves from Dubai to Essex.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social
49. The Doughnut Club by @krahim.bsky.social
Sweet and heart-warming story from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist which sensitively explores the experiences of donor families and children.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @nosycrow.bsky.social
47. Gloam by Jack Mackay
Brilliant middle-grade horror story from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - genuinely TERRIFYING but full of bravery and heart too.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @rocktheboatnews.bsky.social
39. Shadow Thieves by @peterburnsauthor.bsky.social
Terrific adventure story from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - brilliant world-building, death-defying escapades, genuine emotion and written with such swagger and brio.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @farshorebooks.bsky.social
38. The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni
Compelling YA fairy romantasy from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist drawing on Welsh history and folklore in very interesting and original ways.
37. Grumpfort by Jamie Hammond
Entertaining adventure story for younger readers from the
#BranfordBoase Award longlist, featuring the world's worst monster hunter and some very cute and silly monsters, with a lovely message about learning to embrace our differences.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
36. Letty and the Mystery of the Golden Thread by Penny Boxall
A fun historical adventure from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist in which a foundling girl embarks on her own Grand Tour through 18th Century Europe in order to outwit a master forger!
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
35. The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood: School Trip by Farhana Islam, illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh
Highly entertaining story from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist with some hilarious dialogue and great representation of diverse voices
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @farshorebooks.bsky.social
34. Marty Moose: First-Class Mischief by Claire Powell
Laugh-out-loud funny chapter book for younger readers from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist, following a day in the life of an eager young postmouse, with delightful illustrations!
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
33. The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren
Cleverly plotted YA romantasy from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist with an intriguing premise - how would you avoid having your heart broken if your life depended on it?
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
31. The Girl Who Raced the World by Nat Harrison
An exciting and highly assured retelling of Jules Verne's classic from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist in which an orphan girl joins Phileas Fogg and Passepartout on their journey around the world in 80 days.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
30. Run Away With Me by J. L. Simmonds
A propulsive YA page-turner from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - an American road trip thriller with two great heroines and a touching sapphic romance at its heart.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
28. Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by @prleathley.bsky.social
Captivating and hugely imaginative fantasy adventure from the #BranfordBoase award longlist with fabulous world building, fascinating ideas about fate and a great sense of fun and mischief.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
Excited to see #BranfordBoase winners @maisiechanwrites.bsky.social & Nathanael Lessore on this list.
26. My Dog by Olivia Wakeford
Also from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - a moving, sensitive and redemptive exploration of grief and loss for middle-grade readers. Such beautifully drawn characters and relationships.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
25. The Girl with Gills by Becca Rogers
Imaginative MG fantasy adventure from the #BranfordBoase award longlist with lovely relationships and beautifully detailed world-building featuring a secret community of larkers who live on the river.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social
23. A Beautiful, Terrible Thing by @sparewriter.bsky.social
Hugely compelling and emotionally intense YA novel from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist about the relationship between two teenagers, each with a secret.
@dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social @branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
22. Evie and Maryam's Family Tree by @janeenhayat.bsky.social
Lovely, illuminating middle-grade novel from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist about two friends in present-day London discovering their grandmothers' connected hidden histories.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @guppybooks.bsky.social
19. How to Roller-Skate with One Leg by Ella Dove
Next up on the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - a really honest and heart-warming story about a 12-year-old amputee navigating the challenges of school and friendships while still trying to live her best life.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
18. Augmented by Kenechi Udogu
Back to the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - highly inventive dystopian ecofiction set in a near future version of London about a teenage girl who has the unusual ability to project a vocal frequency that accelerates plant growth.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
15. Wildlands by Brogen Murphy
Next on the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - a gripping and immersive futuristic eco-adventure for middle-grade readers with a totally believable and moving relationship between two sisters at its heart.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @puffinbooksuk.bsky.social
14. Love on Sight by Asli Jensen
Also from the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - an immensely powerful cross-cultural love story for older teenage readers. Searingly honest and authentic, exploring a wide range of issues in real depth.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social
13. Rock Band: Music and Misfits by Leah Osakwe
Next on the #BranfordBoase Award longlist: a really inclusive story with very positive messages about friendship, collaboration and creativity. Lots of humour and a great start to a new series.
@branfordboaseaward.bsky.social @littletigeruk.bsky.social
12. Tart by @beckiwrites.bsky.social
First book I've read on the #BranfordBoase Award longlist - YA friends-to-lovers queer romance with great exploration of consent, misogyny and homophobia among other issues. Such a warm and life-affirming read! @branfordboaseaward.bsky.social
I'm really enjoying getting stuck into this terrific #BranfordBoase Award longlist but I can already tell how difficult it will be to choose from so many brilliant, different debut books. Congratulations to all the longlisted authors and editors!
One from the #BranfordBoase Award hall of fame! Our 2013 winner @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social
Photo of the books on the longlist for the 2026 Branford Boase Award Odd Girl Out Letty and the Mystery of the Golden Thread Shadow Thieves The Book of Heartbreak Tart How to Roller Skate with One Leg The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire Grumpfort The Girl Who Raced the World Evie and Maryam's Family Tree The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood Love on Sight Inkbound Gloam A Beautiful Terrible Thing Wildlands Rock Band Music and Misfits Marty Moose: First Class The Doughnut Club The Girl with Gills Run Away With Me The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King Augmented My Dog
The authors on the longlist for the 2026 Branford Boase Award Tasneem Abdur-Rashid Penny Boxall Peter Burns Ova Ceren Becki Jayne Crossley Ella Dove Anna Fiteni Jamie Hammond Nat Harrison Janeen Hayat Farhana Islam Asli Jensen Philippa Leathley Jack Mackay Miranda Moore Brogen Murphy Leah Osakwe Claire Powell Kristina Rahim Becca Rogers J.L. Simmonds Harry Trevaldwyn Kenechi Udogu Olivia Wakeford
Congratulations to the authors and editors on the longlist for this year's #BranfordBoase Award. 24 books on what co-founder and chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare describes as ‘the most varied longlist in the 25 years+ of the Award.’ #booksky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/longlist-ann...
So thrilled to have been longlisted for the fantastic #BranfordBoase Award!
Graphic with photos of the editors on the 2026 Branford Boase Award longlist Rosie Fickling Katie Sinfield Lucy Courtenay Ruth Bennett and Ella Whiddett Cathy Liney Anne Marie Ryan Asmaa Isse Sarah Stewart Ruth Bennett Bella Pearson Asmaa Isse Shalini Vallepur Natalie Doherty Katie Jennings Meggie Degurney Linas Alsenas Mattie Whitehead and Karelle Tobias Gráinne Clear Zoë Griffiths Fiona Kennedy Amina Parchment-Youssef Emma Jones Natasha Brown Megan Reid
The #BranfordBoase is awarded to author & editor of the year's outstanding debut novel for young people, highlighting the role of editors in nurturing & developing new authors. Congratulations to the talented editors on this year's longlist #editing #booksky
branfordboaseaward.org.uk/2026-longlist/
