John Boyne's Blog

Publication Day!

My 8th novel for adults, THIS HOUSE IS HAUNTED, is published in the UK & Ireland today.

U.S. Book Tour

I’m in the States to promote the US edition of THE HOUSE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE, published by The Other Press.

First stop: Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, Illinois

Shortlist revealed for radical children’s fiction prize

From the Bookseller, Charlotte Williams

Titles from Frances Lincoln, Templar, Walker and Random House UK have been shortlisted for the inaugural Letterbox Library Little Rebels award.

The prize looks to reward radical children’s fiction written for children aged between 0-12, and which promotes or celebrates social justice and equality.

The shortlisted titles are Azzi In Between by Sarah Garland (Frances Lincoln); Hans and Matilda by Yokococo (Templar/Bonnier); Wild Child by Jeanne Willis and Lorna Freytag (Walker), and The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne (Random House UK).

The winner will be selected by guest judges Wendy Cooling, editor and co-founder of Bookstart, and children’s author Elizabeth Laird, and will be announced on 11th May at the ARB London Radical Bookfair.

Letterbox Library co-director Kerry Mason said: “We were surprised and delighted by the many publisher submissions we received for Little Rebels. There is a real excitement and buzz about the award which we hope to build on for next year … It is heartening to see that even when the going gets tough, some UK children’s publishers are still happy to take risks, to stay creative, to venture out into the unusual and deliver us thoughtful, provocative and radical yarns.”