The YA Book Prize announced the ten books that made 2025 shortlist for the prize. The book prize, launched in 2014, awards a YA title written by an author living in the UK or Ireland. The prize celebrates great books for teenagers and young adults and aims to get more teens reading and buying books. The prize is also run by the book trade magazine, The Bookseller, in partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival. These 10 books are in the running to win this year’s overall £2,000 award.
Last year, Gwen & Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher took home the 2024 YA Book Prize.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, August 21 at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Here Are The Ten Books!
Where The Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan
Ireland is starving, and a poor Irish scullery maid falls in love with the British heir to the land. Can their romance stay hidden during the devastating famine? The potatoes are black, people are dying, and in the midst of it all, Nell must do everything she can to keep her family together and everyone she loves alive.
It is hard to tell a love story
and also the story of a people
being torn apart. (Credit: Greenwillow Books)
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
In Fantome, a kingdom of cobbled streets, flickering lamplight, beautiful buildings, and secret catacombs, Shade-magic is a scarce and deadly commodity controlled by two enemy guilds: the Cloaks and the Daggers—the thieves and the assassins. On the night of her mother’s murder, eighteen-year-old Seraphine runs for her life. Seeking sanctuary with the Cloaks, Sera’s heart is set on revenge. But are her secret abilities a match for the dark-haired boy whose quicksilver eyes follow her around the city?
Nothing can prepare Sera for the moment she finally comes face-to-face with Ransom, heir to the Order of Daggers. And Ransom is shocked to discover that this unassuming farm girl wields a strange and blazing magic he has never seen before. As the Cloaks and the Daggers grapple for control of Fantome’s underworld, Sera and Ransom are consumed by the push and pull of their magic…and the deadly spark and terrible vengeance that keeps drawing them back together. (Credit: Margaret K. McElderry Books)
The End Crowns All by Bea Fitzgerald
‘Love caused this war. At least, that’s what the stories will say.’
When Cassandra’s patron god, Apollo, offers her the gift of prophecy – and all the power that comes with it – she seizes the opportunity. But when she fails to uphold her end of the bargain, she discovers just how very far she has to fall. No one believes her visions, which all seem to be of one girl – a girl who is going to start a war.
Helen fled Sparta in pursuit of love – but is finding it elusive. Now she must navigate the fierce politics and danger of the Trojan court – including from its princess, who seems intent on driving her from the city. . .
But when war finally strikes, Cassandra and Helen must deal with more than just the army at their walls. Cassandra and Helen’s fates are more closely tied – and seemingly tragic – than they could have ever imagined. How can you change your future when the gods themselves are dictating your demise? (Credit: Penguin Random House Children’s UK)
Songlight by Moira Buffini
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Songlight is an extraordinary debut from a renowned screenwriter. A cinematic masterpiece in storytelling, the explosive first book in the Torch trilogy is the hottest release of the decade!
They are hunting those who shine . . .
Don’t be deceived by Northaven’s prettiness, by its white-wash houses and its sea views. In truth, many of its townsfolk are ruthless hunters. They revile those who have developed songlight, the ability to connect telepathically with others. Anyone found with this sixth sense is caught, persecuted and denounced.
Welcome to the future.
Lark has lived in grave danger ever since her own songlight emerged. Then she encounters a young woman in peril, from a city far away. An extraordinary bond is forged. But who can they trust?
The world is at war. Those with songlight are pawns in a dangerous game of politics. Friends, neighbours, family are quick to turn on each other . . .
When power is everything, how will they survive? (Credit: Faber & Faber)
Lover Birds by Leanna Egan
When Isabel Williams moves to Liverpool, she criticises seemingly everything in Eloise Byrne’s life – her city, her accent, her trademark boldness – so if, when she catches Isabel staring, Eloise feels her pulse race, it must be because they hate each other. It surely couldn’t be for any other reason, could it? Eloise needs to get her ADHD under control in time for A-Levels, but when she meets Isabel, school becomes the least of her concerns. What begins as outright contempt turns into an oddly satisfactory rivalry, but for their rivalry to shift further into romance, their relationship must withstand Isabel’s classism, Eloise’s distrust, and whatever secrets their friends are hiding from them.
With a wonderful cast of characters, an irresistible romance, and an incredibly moving and powerful portrayal of ADHD, Lover Birds is an unmissable debut from an extraordinary new voice in YA fiction. (Credit: HarperCollins UK)
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
UK Copy
18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness. Rachel is gone, presumed dead.
The case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agree to a true crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for life to go back to normal. But then Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again … (Credit: HarperCollins UK)
If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando
When fifteen-year-old Tyrell Forrester gets caught up in a high-profile armed robbery, he’s sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ prison. Now he’s getting out, and he’s determined to turn his life around. But despite his release, systemic discrimination makes it difficult for Ty to truly be free. Inspired by a visiting poet while inside, Ty discovers a whole new world through spoken word and is finally finding his voice. But will society ever see him as anything other than a criminal? (Credit: Simon & Schuster UK)
Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald
Meet Finlay. He’s studying for his nursing degree at Glasgow University, against all the odds. But coming straight from care means he has no support network.
How can he write essays, find paid work and NOT fall for the beautiful boy at uni, when he’s struggling to even feed himself?
Meet Banjo. He’s trying to settle in with his new foster family and finish high school. But he can’t forget all that has happened, and his anger and fear keep boiling over.
How can he hold on to the one good person in his life, when his outbursts keep threatening his already uncertain future?
Can Finlay and Banjo let go of the past before it drags them under? (Credit: Faber & Faber)
Apocalypse Now by O.R. Sorrel
Mel loves Sasha and dreams of a day that Sasha might reciprocate her feelings (even though she’s straight) – so the fact that it’s thirty degrees outside in January and hasn’t rained for a year simply passes her by.
Mel is just about coping with being the only ‘out’ lesbian in school and all the sniping that Janis and Ella aim her way, as well as her dreary Saturday job with the stupidly posh Dorian… But when domestic animals suddenly lethally turn on the human race, and Mel finds herself stuck in a mansion with Dorian and Ella, her love-life suddenly turns on its head in the most extraordinary way. (Credit: Guppy Publishing)
Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar
UK Copy
When Said Hossain’s favorite hometown librarian dies, he must return from boarding school for her funeral and for the summer. Too bad being home makes it a lot harder to avoid facing his ex–best friend, Tiwa Olatunji, or facing the daunting task of telling his Bangladeshi parents that he would rather be an artist than a doctor.
Tiwa doesn’t understand what made Said start ignoring her, but it’s probably that fancy boarding school of his. Though he’s unexpectedly home for the summer, she’s determined to take a page from him and pretend he doesn’t exist. Besides, she has more than enough going on, between grieving her favorite librarian and her broken family while helping her mother throw the upcoming Eid celebration at the Islamic Center—a place that means so much to Tiwa.
But when the center accidentally catches fire, the mayor plans to demolish it entirely. Tiwa and Said will need to put their feelings aside if they’re going to get the mayor to change his mind. Will all their efforts be enough to save the Islamic Center, save Eid, and maybe even save their relationship? (Credit: Feiwel & Friends)
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