Ascent Children's Book Prize
2026
Announcing
our
LONGLIST
From hundreds of international entries, we are pleased to announce our longlist. Our shortlist will be announced on the 1st October. The winner and our highly commended entries will be revealed on the 1st December, judged by literary agent Hannah Sheppard.
Our adults prize, which includes YA, is open for entries until 1st November.
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A huge congratulations to our longlist!
The Afterlife of Juniper Quick
(Middle-grade ghost story)
By
Sam Oaten
Unmasked
(YA Psychological thriller with Romance)
By
Lesley Coyle
The End!
(Picture Book)
By
Paul Nash
Spy Wizards: Operation Secret Dragon
(Middle-grade adventure)
By
Caroline Mundy
Wild Ways to Say "I Love You!";
(Picture Book)
By
Jennie Saywell
Holiday Arthur & The Serpentine Treasure
(Middle-grade mystery adventure)
By
Cara McVean
Ember
(YA Urban Fantasy)
By
Kirstin Lewis
Mina and the Secret Root Language
(Middle-grade magical realism)
By
Mariam Tareen
HullabaLOUIE!
(Picture Book)
By
Frances O’Sullivan
The Unloved
(YA horror/thriller)
By
Abigail Kikuchi
Luna Fitch Accidental Witch: The Slime Disaster
(Chapter Book: Fantasy)
By
Emily Hanson
Zombie Mouse
(Picture Book)
By
Emma Hulin
The Echo Tree
(Middle-grade fantasy)
By
Gemma Llewellyn
Too Many Cats
(Picture Book)
By
Jenny Catton
The Ravenspur Mystery
(Middle-grade mystery)
By
Judy Broad
The Forgotten Warlocks
(YA fantasy)
By
Lorna Pull
Maya's Great Shoe Hunt - A South Asian Wedding Mystery
(Picture Book)
By
Sheena Garg
The Curse of the Twelfth Birthday Portraits
(Middle-grade gothic magical realism)
By
Tamara Wolcough
The Court of Moths
(YA fantasy)
By
Hazel Compton
Night Bus Riders
(Upper middle-grade: contemporary)
By
Ellie Pulze
The Undead Detective Society
(Middle-grade mystery)
By
Monica Gutierrez
Never Share your Breakfast with a Dragon
(Picture Book)
By
Nicky Walters
The Snow has No Voice
(YA: historical fantasy)
By
Eleanor Britten
A Little Light
(Picture Book)
By
Daianne Karaian
A Ghost's Guide to Sticking Around
(Middle-grade fantasy)
By
Maryna Smahina
Alfie Pea Evacuee
(Middle-grade historical fiction)
By
Tracey Foley