Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing is thrilled to announce the shortlist for the 2024 Ampersand Prize, Australia’s leading award for debut authors of middle-grade and young adult fiction.
The shortlisted titles are:
The Pieces of You by Annika Herb
Teenager Grace faces her mother’s diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s and falls in love with a girl for the first time as she navigates her way through a funny, heart-warming, and sometimes heartbreaking year.
Instagram: @annika.herb
Twitter: @AnnikaHerb
Bluesky: @annikaherb.bsky.social
The Little Folk of Woolaroo Creek by Allison Rocca
Eleven-year-old misfit Joey finds a sense of belonging when he meets a little hairy creature from Aboriginal folklore.
Instagram: @allisonroccawrites
I Love A Good Murder by Rahnia Collins
A murder in a local park unearths long-buried secrets from the horrific civil war in Northern Ireland in this YA crime novel.
Instagram: @rahniacollins
Drowning for Beginners by Michael Debenham
In this MG novel, thirteen-year-old Becky discovers that her long-lost dad is a merman – just before he’s kidnapped. It's up to Becky to save her father and avert a war of the seas in this very funny, very Australian twist on the fantasy genre.
Evie and Wren Hate Each Other by Steph Cuthbert
A queer YA enemies-to-lovers romcom about Evie and Wren, two girls who are forced to work the same summer job. It’s get along or get fired, until they discover there’s chemistry between them.
Instagram: @steph_liz_cuthbert
The winner of this year’s Ampersand Prize will be announced on Wednesday 11th December, 2024.
About the Ampersand Prize
The Ampersand Prize is Australia’s leading award for unpublished manuscripts of children’s and young adult fiction, including graphic novels. Each winner receives a publishing contract with an advance against royalties for their debut novel. Founded in 2012, the Ampersand Prize has launched the publishing careers of numerous authors from Australia and New Zealand, including award-winning writers such as Erin Gough and Biffy James, many of whom have gone on to publish their books around the world.