2023

Danielle Jawando’s coming-of-age novel, When Our Worlds Collided (published by Simon & Schuster Children’s) won the YA Book Prize 2023.

The story follows three teenagers living in Manchester - Jackson, Chantelle and Marc - whose lives become intertwined when a boy named Shaq is stabbed. The stabbing brings to the fore social and institutional prejudices as Jackson grapples with the views of fellow students, Chantelle confronts racism at school and Marc deals with years living in the foster care system. Soon the three become a tight-knit group, relying on each other for support while navigating the world as Black teenagers.

Manchester-born author Jawando told The Bookseller how she “wanted to write something that looks at the issues that Black teenagers face on a daily basis.” She added: “At the same time, I also wanted to explore the deeply racist gang narrative that you often see constructed when it comes to young Black boys, as well as the constant policing and criminalisation that happens in many forms – whether that’s through stop and search, or the way that teenagers are policed and punished in schools.”

Author and former YA Book Prize winner Patrice Lawrence, who was on the judging panel, said: “Danielle writes with lyricism, empathy and even humour about tough subjects. The characters in When Our Worlds Collided are flawed and completely believable, as they unpick a world that values Black lives less than others.” Fellow judge Gary Deane, Waterstones’ national children’s events co-ordinator, called the novel “a raw, powerful and thought-provoking coming-of-age story”. 

When Our Worlds Collided was up for the 2023 prize alongside: Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber (Electric Monkey), The Eternal Return of Clara Hart by Louise Finch (Little Island Books), Five Survive by Holly Jackson (Electric Monkey), The Songs You’ve Never Heard by Becky Jerams and Ellie Wyatt (Sweet Cherry), The Cats We Meet Along the Way by Nadia Mikail (Guppy Books), Her Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury (David Fickling Books), If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So (Little Tiger Press), The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven (Electric Monkey) and Kemosha of the Caribbean by Alex Wheatle (Andersen Press).

2022

Adiba Jaigirdar’s queer rom-com, Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating (published by Hachette Children’s), was the winner of the YA Book Prize 2022.

It focuses on two very different Bengali girls—popular Hani and academic overachiever Ishu—who begin a fake relationship to both help Hani convince her friends that she is bisexual and increase Ishu’s popularity and chances of becoming head girl. Before long, they start to develop real feelings for each other, but not everyone in their lives is rooting for them. 

Bangladeshi-Irish author Jaigirdar told The Bookseller: "Winning the YA Book Prize has been a huge honour and an incredible career milestone. It's not always easy to have your work recognised and celebrated in the publishing industry, especially as an Irish author of colour, so I'm immensely grateful. I feel like winning the YA Book Prize has also led to many more opportunities for me, and to more teens having access to my books." 

Children’s writer, events programmer, bookseller and reviewer Sarah Webb, who was on the judging panel, said: “Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating is an outstanding YA novel and a highly deserving winner of the YA Book Prize 2022.” She described it as a “charming, relatable, funny book about family, friendship and relationships” and added: “Jaigirdar’s characters are so real they jump off the page and her dialogue crackles with life and authenticity. I loved the contemporary Irish setting too!”

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating was up for the 2022 prize alongside: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (published by Usborne); The Yearbook by Holly Bourne (published by Usborne); Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen (published by Penguin); Afterlove by Tanya Byrne (published by Hachette Children’s Group); The Upper World by Femi Fadugba (published by Penguin); You’re the One That I Want by Simon James Green (published by Scholastic); The Crossing by Manjeet Mann (published by Penguin); House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland (published by Hot Key Books); and First Day of My Life by Lisa Williamson (published by David Fickling Books).

2021

Alice Oseman scooped the YA Book Prize 2021 with her “joyful” coming out story about a teenager who realises that she is aromantic and asexual, Loveless, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books. 

It follows Georgia, who heads to university ready to find romance. With her outgoing roommate on her side and a place in the Shakespeare Society, her dream is in sight, but when her attempts to form a relationship wreak havoc, she starts to question why love seems so easy for other people but not for her. 

Alice said: “Loveless was the most difficult creative project of my life, and I am so utterly thrilled that it has won such a prestigious award. The UK is home to such an incredible and unique YA literature community, it’s an honour to have been chosen as this year’s YA Book Prize-winner.” 

Judge Rachel Fox, who is children and schools programme director at Edinburgh International Book Festival, described Loveless as “a joyful book that truly promotes celebrating our differences”. 

The other books in the running for the award were: Wranglestone by Darren Charlton (published by Little Tiger); Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson (published by Electric Monkey); And the Stars Were Burning Brightly by Danielle Jawando (published by Simon & Schuster Children’s); Eight Pieces of Silva by Lawrence (published by Hodder Children’s Books); The Great Godden by Rosoff (published by Bloomsbury); Melt My Heart by Bethany Rutter (published by Macmillan Children’s Books); Hold Back the Tide by Melinda Salisbury (published by Scholastic); Cane Warriors by Wheatle (published by Andersen Press); and A Snowfall of Silver by Laura Wood (published by Scholastic). 

In 2021, the YA Book Prize also gave the third ever YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award to former Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first novel in her seminal Noughts & Crosses YA series. 

2020

Juno Dawson won the YA Book Prize in 2020 with Meat Market, a “gritty and compelling” exposé of the fashion industry published by Quercus Children’s Books.

Meat Market tells the story of Jana who lives on a south London estate and is unexpectedly scouted to work as a model and catapulted into superstardom. However, she soon discovers that the fashion industry is as grimy as it is glamorous, and there are unexpected predators at every turn. Juno called it her “most challenging book to date” because of the difficult subject matter. She spent two years talking to fashion industry insiders and conducting research for the novel.

Body positivity campaigner, influencer and author Megan Crabbe, who was one of the YA Book Prize 2020 judges, said she was “blown away” by Meat Market. She added: “Jana had a clear and unique voice throughout, the relationships were believable and heartwarming, and there was a beautifully satisfying ending… It’s thoroughly unforgettable.” Fellow judge, author and Wales Children’s Laureate Eloise Williams, described the winning novel as “gritty and compelling” with “such important things to say, which it says so well”.

Nine other titles were shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2020: The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (published by Hodder Children’s Books), Crossfire by Malorie Blackman (published by Penguin), The Places I’ve Cried in Public by Holly Bourne (published by Usborne), Furious Thing by Jenny Downham (published by David Fickling Books), Deeplight by Frances Hardinge (published by Macmillan Children’s Books), A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (published by Egmont), The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James (published by Walker Books), The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (published by Bellatrix) and William Sutcliffe’s The Gifted, the Talented and Me (published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books).

2019

Sara Barnard won the YA Book Prize in its fifth year for her "unflinching" and “utterly riveting” contemporary novel about the impact of a teacher-student relationship, Goodbye, Perfect (published by Macmillan Children’s Books).

The novel tells the story of Eden, who is forced to question everything when her steady, straight-A best friend Bonnie runs away with a teacher five days before the start of their GCSEs. Sworn to secrecy and bound by loyalty, only Eden knows Bonnie’s location, and she’s forced to weigh up betraying her best friend with police questioning, suspicious parents and her own growing doubts. 

Everyday Sexism founder and writer Laura Bates, who was one of the prize judges, said: "Sara Barnard's writing is an absolute triumph: this book is unputdownable and beautiful, unflinching in its exploration of important and complex topics from sexual exploitation to the foster care system. But it is also a joy to read, a tender portrayal of family and sibling relationships, of flawed and poignant female friendships and of the nuanced reality of teenage experiences and the journey to discovering who you are and what you stand for." Fellow judge and author Alex Wheatle called Goodbye, Perfect “an utterly riveting read”, adding “it wouldn’t let me go”.

The winner was selected from a shortlist that also included: Clean by Juno Dawson (published by Quercus Children's Books), Big Bones by Laura Dockrill (published by Hot Key Books), I Am Thunder by Muhammad Khan (published by Macmillan Children’s Books), The Surface Breaks by Louise O'Neill (published by Scholastic), White Rabbit, Red Wolf by Tom Pollock (published by Walker Books), I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman (published by HarperCollins Children's Books), Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw (published by David Fickling Books), Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber (published by Walker Books), and A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood (published by Scholastic).

2018

In 2018, the YA Book Prize went to Will Hill for After the Fire (published by Usborne).

After the Fire tells the story of teenage girl Moonbeam, who is trying to come to terms with her past and prepare for a new life after leaving behind the cult she grew up in.

Author Louise O’Neill—winner of first ever YA Book Prize, and one of the 2018 judges—said: "After the Fire is an engrossing, brilliantly realised story which is almost impossible to put down. Both thoughtfully structured and fast-paced, it is one of the most sensitive portrayals of trauma that I have read in a long time." Fellow judges Akala, a hip-hop artist, writer and historian, and blogger and YouTuber Lucy Powrie described it as a "well-written book on a challenging subject" and "a perfect showcase of what UK YA should be".

The judges selected the winning title from a shortlist that also included: S.T.A.G.S. by M A Bennett (published by Hot Key Books), The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr (published by Penguin), It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne (published by Usborne), Moonrise by Sarah Crossan (published by Bloomsbury), Indigo Donut by Patrice Lawrence (published by Hodder Children’s), Release by Patrick Ness (published by Walker Books), Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls (published by Andersen Press), La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman (published by David Fickling Books/Penguin), and Straight Outta Crongton by Alex Wheatle (published by Atom).

A YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award was also given to Stripes Publishing and the authors of its YA anthology A Change is Gonna Come, to recognise their work in tackling the lack of diversity in YA publishing in the UK and Ireland.

2017

In 2017, the YA Book Prize went to Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence (published by Hodder Children’s Books).

Orangeboy tells the story of 16-year-old Marlon, who finds himself facing tough choices after a date ends in tragedy. Despite not wanting to follow his older brother Andre down the wrong path, Marlon gets caught up in London’s gang culture and things soon start to spiral out of control.

Author Melvin Burgess, one of the prize judges, said: “Orangeboy ticked so many boxes for so many of the judges. It’s a page-turning thriller. The characters and their relationships are truthful, delightful, surprising and strong. It was so refreshing to read something set in an urban black community that will appeal to a diverse UK readership. It deals with family, friendship, sex appeal, loyalty and generally being human. It is so accomplished and we all really feel there is something there for everyone.”

The other shortlisted books, whittled down from more than 100 entries, were: Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard (published by Macmillan Children’s Books), Chasing the Stars by Malorie Blackman (published by Penguin Random House Children’s), The Graces by Laure Eve (published by Faber Children’s), How Not to Disappear by Clare Furniss (published by Simon & Schuster Children’s), Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield (published by Egmont), The Call by Peadar O’Guilin (published by David Fickling Books), The Monstrous Child by Francesca Simon (published by Faber Children’s), Riverkeep by Martin Stewart (published by Penguin Random House Children’s), and Crongton Knights by Alex Wheatle (published by Atom).

2016

The YA Book Prize 2016 was won by Sarah Crossan's One (published by Bloomsbury). One is about conjoined twins Grace and Tippi, who, after years of being educated at home, go to public school for the first time. Over the course of the novel the sisters make friends who have their own problems, whilst facing a serious medical choice.

The judges were unanimous in their decision that One should be this 2016’s winner.

Judge and writer Bim Adewunmi said she "fell in love" with the book.

"Tippi and Grace are a great addition to the pantheon of great literary sisters, and the way Crossan explores their rare (physical) bond only makes them more so," she said. "I cried on the train at the end and I will not soon forget either of these girls."

Sarah beat competition from nine other shortlisted books: Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne (published by Usborne), Unbecoming by Jenny Downham (published by David Fickling Books), The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge (published by Macmillan Children’s Books), The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo by Catherine Johnson (published by Penguin Random House Children’s), The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (published by Walker Books), Asking For It by Louise O’Neill (published by Quercus), The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury (published by Scholastic), Concentr8 by William Sutcliffe (published by Bloomsbury), and The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson (published by David Fickling Books).

A YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award went to Melvin Burgess, whose novel Junk, one of the first YA novels by a UK author, was published by Andersen Press 20 years ago.

2015

Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill (published by Quercus) was the first winner of the YA Book Prize. The book tells the story of 16-year-olds freida and isabel, who are in their final year of school and waiting to see if they are selected as wives to wealthy and powerful men. The alternative, life as a concubine, is too awful to contemplate, so the intense competition between the girls over their looks starts to mount.

The judges praised Louise for her "startling and refreshing" take on the dystopian genre. Rick O’Shea, presenter at Irish broadcaster RTE, said: "Only Ever Yours is, as far as I'm concerned, not just a worthy winner of the prize but one of the best speculative fiction books I've read in years. It pushes the boundaries of contemporary YA. I'll be pressing it into the hands of anyone who might read it."

The other shortlisted books were: A Song for Ella Grey by David Almond (published by Hodder Children’s Books), Salvage by Keren David (published by Atom), Say Her Name by Juno Dawson (published by Hot Key Books), Lobsters by Lucy Ivison and Tom Ellen (published by Chicken House), Half Bad by Sally Green (published by Penguin), Finding a Voice by Kim Hood (published by O’Brien Press), Goose by Dawn O’Porter (published by Hot Key Books), Trouble by Non Pratt (published by Walker Books) and The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgwick (published by Orion).