Ascent Children's Book Prize
2026
Announcing
our
SHORTLIST
From hundreds of international entries, we are pleased to announce our shortlist. 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 shortlist!
Unmasked
(YA Psychological thriller with Romance)
By
Lesley Coyle
The End!
(Picture Book)
By
Paul Nash
Holiday Arthur & The Serpentine Treasure
(Middle-grade mystery adventure)
By
Cara McVean
Mina and the Secret Root Language
(Middle-grade magical realism)
By
Mariam Tareen
The Unloved
(YA horror/thriller)
By
Abigail Kikuchi
Luna Fitch Accidental Witch: The Slime Disaster
(Chapter Book: Fantasy)
By
Emily Hanson
A Ghost's Guide to Sticking Around
(Middle-grade fantasy)
By
Maryna Smahina
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
Night Bus Riders
(Upper middle-grade: contemporary)
By
Ellie Pulze
The Snow has No Voice
(YA: historical fantasy)
By
Eleanor Britten