Four Usborne titles on the Branford Boase Award 2019 shortlist

Usborne is proud to have four titles on the shortlist for the Branford Boase Award 2019, an award for a debut novelist and their editor.

• The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson | Edited by Rebecca Hill and Becky Walker
• The Train to Impossible Places by P.G. Bell | Edited by Rebecca Hill and Becky Walker
• Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen | Edited by Sarah Stewart and Kendra Levin
• Rosie Loves Jack by Mel Darbon | Edited by Sarah Stewart

The winner of the 2018 award was Usborne title Kick by Mitch Johnson, edited by Rebecca Hill and Becky Walker.

The Branford Boase Award is now in its 20th year and is for the author and editor of an outstanding debut novel for children. It was created to commemorate author Henrietta Branford and Walker Books editor Wendy Boase.

‘In its twenty-year history, the Branford Boase Award has given a crucial early career boost to the most exciting and important young authors, and prompted publishers to seek out new talent,’ said chair of the judges Julia Eccleshare. ‘What’s more, it continues to reflect the shape and preoccupations of contemporary children’s literature: this year’s shortlist is weighted towards fiction for readers aged 8 – 11, but themes explored include terrorism, resilience, identity and a sense of self, plus an uneasy distrust of those in authority.’

This year’s judging panel includes Mitch Johnson, Sanchita Basu De Sarkar of the Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill and Louise Johns-Shepherd, chief executive of CLPE. The winning title will be announced on 27th June 2019 and the author will receive a cheque for £1,000.