It’s that time of year again, when Australian independent booksellers will vote on a shortlist of new books in six categories – Fiction, Debut Fiction, Non-Fiction, Illustrated Non-Fiction, Children’s books (up to 12yo) and Young Adult (12+). The shortlist has been chosen by a panel of independent booksellers, and soon all other independent booksellers will vote to determine the ultimate winner in each category.

This year’s list for Young Adult fiction includes:

• The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
• Aurora Rising: The Aurora Cycle 1 by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
• It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood
• Monuments by Will Kostakis

Since these titles represent a range of genre and themes (Australian stories, family stories, friendship, mental illness, fantasy, science fiction), there is something to appeal to a range of readers. Which one appeals to you? Can you guess which book is which genre from the title or cover?

It would be a good time to get along to your local bookshop for copies of any of these (or suggest these titles to your local and school libraries). Will you read any of them before the announcement of the winners on Monday 23 March 2020 to make your choice?

Check out all the shortlisted titles for other readers, as you may like to make recommendations for your younger siblings, your parents and their friends:

Indie Awards Shortlist 2020 (‘Wearing Paper Dresses’ has my vote in the Fiction category)

Indie Awards Longlist 2020 – first announced in December