Young Adult Book Award

Congratulations to the 2024 finalists!

Borderland

Graham Akhurst (UWA Publishing)

Judges' comments:

Akhurst’s debut novel effectively blends unsettling gothic elements with Aboriginal spirituality and complex environmental issues. Protagonist Jono, separated from Country and mob, straddles conflicting teenage concerns of identity and relationships with broader universal themes of expectation and discrimination.

Learn more

Smoke & Mirrors

Barry Jonsberg (Allen & Unwin)

Judges' comments:

As a magician, Grace is in total control, but all other areas of her life are in disarray. With her emotions locked down, she navigates life with suspicion and mistrust. In Smoke & Mirrors, Jonsberg’s subtle manipulation of readers’ emotions to offer a hopeful resolution built on wonder and miracles is bittersweet and extraordinary.

Learn more

The Spider and Her Demons

sydney khoo (Penguin Random House Australia)

Judges' comments:

An innovative take on the themes of alienation and identity, The Spider and Her Demons weaves the everyday concerns of teenage life into the extraordinary world of demons and witches to create a truly vivid and engaging story. The characters are compelling, the voice is lively, and the prose is assured.

Learn more

We Could Be Something

Will Kostakis (Allen & Unwin)

Judges' comments:

An engaging and unexpected tale of isolation, the meaning of family, and finding your way back to yourself. The dual voices and array of complex themes in We Could be Something are skilfully handled throughout. An exploration of wider family dynamics within a fracturing moment, it is beautifully balanced, touching and a little heartbreaking.

Learn more

I Hope This Doesn't Find You

Ann Liang (Penguin Random House Australia)

Judges' comments:

Heartwarming and funny, this work adeptly explores the lives and struggles of image-conscious, people-pleasing perfectionists. Engaging characters and believable arcs demonstrate a deft balance of friendships, enemies and the rivals-to-lovers trope. The work captures the contemporary teenage experience and all the fraught feelings and relationships that can entail.

Learn more

About the award

Part of the Queensland Literary Awards, the Young Adult Book Award is for an outstanding work by an Australian writer suitable for young adults 13 to 19 years of age. Young Adult Book Award is supported by Susan Hocking and Ian Mackie, and their family.

Eligibility

Work is suitable for young adults 13–19 years.
Must be first published between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024 by an Australian citizen or resident living at the time of nomination.
To confirm you're eligible to enter this category, download the full 2024 terms and conditions of entry document.

Prize

$15,000

2024 key dates

1 March: entries open
12 April: entries close
1 March–18 March: early bird entry period
19 March–12 April: standard entry period
26 April: due date for books to arrive at State Library
1 August: shortlist announced
5 September: awards ceremony at State Library of Queensland

How to enter

Download and read the full 2024 terms and conditions of entry document.
Read the nomination FAQs.
Complete an online nomination form by 12 April.
Pay the nomination fee (early bird $40 including GST or standard $50 including GST).
Send 5 copies of the book to State Library:

Attn: Queensland Literary Awards
c/- State Library of Queensland
PO Box 3488
SOUTH BRISBANE QLD 4101

Find other delivery options in the terms and conditions of entry.

You will receive confirmation of your accepted nomination via email.