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The Little Rebel Awards 2024 has announced its shortlist for 2024. The shortlist, on behalf of the Alliance of Radical Booksellers, includes books on topics on a wide range of social justice issues from Black history and Black Lives Matter to access to the arts and the politics of Pride.
The Little Rebels Award shortlist panel was joined this year by Dr Darren Chetty, lecturer at UCL and columnist for Books for Keeps. He said, "Radical, rebellious fiction has found itself under attack from conservative forces in recent years. We’ve seen authors’ books removed from shelves in the USA as the culture warriors have tried to limit the imaginations of writers and readers. The Little Rebels Award matters more than ever—and I’m proud to be associated with it."
The full shortlist is as follows:
The 2024 Little Rebels Award winner will be announced at an evening ceremony in October. This year’s judges include two new additions: teacher and author Alom Shaha and designer and illustrator Soofiya. Shaha commented: "I can’t think of a time during my lifetime when radical children’s fiction has been more important." He joins author-illustrator Emily Haworth-Booth, reading development and children’s book consultant Jake Hope and research and development director at the CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education) Farrah Serroukh.
In 2024, the highest number of publishers, a total of 52, submitted to the award. The award organisers published a longlist for only the second time in May, showcasing 17 of the best radical children’s fiction titles.
The Little Rebels Award Winner for 2024 will be announced at a ceremony in October. The winner’s prize includes £2,000 funded by the Marxist Socialist funder, the Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust.