The Readings Young Adult Prize shortlist 2023
The Readings Young Adult Prize is presented to the best contribution to Australian youth literature from an emerging author.
Our staff judges for the 2023 prize are Aurelia Orr (chair of judges, Readings Kids), Lucie Dess (marketing and events co-ordinator), Emma Janes (Readings Doncaster) and Stephanie King (Readings Emporium). We're thrilled to announce this year's six Young Adult Prize shortlist titles, and look forward to sharing our New Australian Fiction Prize shortlist soon! The six titles on the below shortlist are perfect for readers aged 13 and up.
You can also view our recently announced Children's Prize shortlist here.
Completely Normal (and Other Lies) by Biffy James
Stella is infatuated with the best-looking guy in school, Isaac, and he likes her too. But he already has a girlfriend – popular and gorgeous Grace. When Isaac dies in a car accident, Stella must grieve in private whilst Grace publicly mourns. Confusingly, Stella is also developing a friendship with Grace. This is a hilarious yet wise story about big questions in life for ages 13+.
Biffy James has truly captured the struggles of mental health as a teenager in Completely Normal (and Other Lies). It also explores family dynamics, the different ways we deal with grief, and the importance of real friendship. — Lucie Dess
Dancing Barefoot by Alice Boyle
Patch has been secretly in love with her school’s female basketball star, Evie, for the past four years. But when they are thrown together after an unfortunate accident involving an ink pen, she feels equal parts exhilarated, terrified, and confused. She’s also dealing with a school bully, a friend transitioning, and a potential new stepmother. This is a delightful queer romance for ages 13+.
This book stood out for being a feel-good romance that remains honest to itself, for its great chemistry and for really knowing its queer culture. It’s the heart-warming coming-of-age, coming-out story that I wish I could have read while in high school! — Stephanie King
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
Set at an elite international school in Beijing, scholarship kid Alice discovers she can randomly turn invisible for short periods. She decides to monetise this strange new power and recruits the help of her handsome nemesis, Henry, to create an app where people anonymously pay her to solve their problems. Cue a burgeoning romance alongside some tricky moral dilemmas for ages 12+.
Ann Liang has crafted a truly unique story accessible to readers of all genres. It’s a spine-tingling thriller that leaves you hooked until the very end, whilst still capturing the loneliness and invisibility we feel when caught in the rat-race to succeed. — Aurelia Orr
Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim
Imani lives in a secret city in a world where spice awakens magical affinities in humans. Her affinity is with iron, and she is an incredible swordsmith. Her brother disappeared after stealing the powerful spice and is presumed dead. When Imani discovers he may be alive and betraying their secrets, she must find him before it’s too late. Epic fantasy for ages 13+.
A fantastic world filled with monsters, djinn, and a secret spice which awakens magical abilities forms the backdrop for this story about an unbreakable sibling bond, and the manipulation and power of authority. — Emma Janes
The Upwelling by Lystra Rose
Written in three distinct voices, this time-slip adventure story is a fascinating deep dive into traditional First Nations’ culture prior to colonisation. It’s also a thrilling quest where three teenagers, each with their own unique gift, must work together and fight to save their world from evil spirits. An exciting exploration of ancient Australia for ages 13+.
A glorious, time-and genre-bending adventure through past and present-day Australia. This First Nations’ fantasy blends language with landscape in a way that’s immersive and thrilling. I haven’t read anything like it in YA. This is the beginning of something amazing! — Stephanie King
Where You Left Us by Rhiannon Wilde
Sisters Cinnamon and Scarlett are home for the summer, looking after their father who’s suffering from a longstanding mental illness. Cinnamon is angry she has to be there, and Scarlett is anxious about everything. When they start investigating the disappearance of their great aunt Sadie, it brings even more mysteries to the surface. This story of sisters, family, and romance will be loved by ages 13+.
As gorgeously written as a symphony, Rhiannon Wilde delves into the deep sea of sisterhood, dysfunctional families, mental health, and family secrets, and arises with a raw and gothic tale of grief and anger, loneliness and isolation, yet – ultimately – redemption. — Aurelia Orr
For a limited time we're pleased to offer all six books on the 2023 shortlist in a specially priced pack! You can buy this pack in-store or online for the special price of $105.99 (was $131.94).