Carnegie Medal 2022 shortlist – recommended for children aged 9-16+
Carnegie Medal 2022 – reading the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2022 and Kate Greenaway shortlists of books is great for exploring new children’s and YA literature, expanding reading at home and helping develop a school library. It’s a diverse, inspiring and accessible list this year.
October, October by Katya Balen
11-year-old October’s idyllic world changes suddenly when she has to go and live with her mum in the city. More than anything she yearns for a return to living in the wild woodland in harmony with nature, and most importantly to her, with her father. With beautifully written and atmospheric prose, this memorable book will appeal to KS2 English teachers as a text to use for modelling creative writing and discussing as a class text. Our 17th September 2021 book of the day.
Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin
A hotbed of simmering religious tension, barely buried secrets and a maelstrom of dangerous teenage romance erupt from this page-turner set in modern Northern Ireland. When Protestant Iona films a sectarian attack using Catholic Aiden’s phone, a spiral of events threatens to destroy their relationship. Can love transcend historical hate? Told through the eyes of both characters, this gripping novel will appeal to pupils in KS4 and KS5.
When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle
When an unwanted child is evacuated to live with a woman who doesn’t want children, an unlikely bond forms through their mutual desire to protect Adonis – a magnificent silverback gorilla. With vibrant characters and an emotionally moving plot, this is an ideal class novel for hot-seating, discussing empathy, and reading with upper KS2 classes learning about WW2. Featured in our best books for Summer 2021.
Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
In this thought-provoking ensemble of Carver-esque vignettes about teens in modern rural America, intertwined themes are juxtaposed to create a poignant sense of 2020s truth, hurt and insidious isolation. Never extreme or explicit, there’s a darkness and an emotional intensity in the characters that lingers beyond a first reading. An ideal book for KS4 and KS5 book clubs, this series of modern short stories is certainly a text worth considering for Y11 classes. Featured in our best books for spring 2021, and reviewed in full here.
The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
This stunning collection of narrative poems gives voice to two very different teenage refugees as they prepare to cross the sea for a new and better life. Exploring many motivations for migration: fleeing persecution, overcoming danger and devastating loss, and balancing disappointment with hope and dreams, ‘The Crossing’ is an accessible and powerful text that will appeal to children aged 12+.
Tsunami Girl by Julian Sedgwick
This potent cocktail of coming-of-age drama, disaster story and graphic novel tells the story of Yuki a 15-year-old girl who survives the 2011 Japan earthquake and learns to cope with the trauma and devastation of the disaster with the help of Half-Wave – a manga superhero. Highly recommended for book club discussion in years 8-11.
Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle
14-year-old Moa toils in the Jamaican sugar fields, seemingly trapped in a world of abuse and subjugation. But when he hears of a planned uprising, he finds new inspiration and courage. Can the slaves defeat their overseer Misser Donalson and join the revolt? Based on the true events of Tacky’s Rebellion in 1760, this is a thrilling and tense historical novel suitable for students in KS3 and KS4.
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
Yusef Salaam’s personal account of being convicted and incarcerated for a crime he did not commit is both compelling and disturbing. Written with powerful prose and compelling emotion, this is a great book to discuss in KS4 book clubs. A searing story of injustice and determination, Punching The Air will appeal to teens aged 13+.
2022 shortlist for the Kate Greenaway Medal – pictures books recommended for children aged 3-12
Drawn Across Borders by George Butler
The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer and Mariachiara Di Giorgio
Too Much Stuff by Emily Gravett
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds and Danica Novgorodoff
Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena and by Christian Robinson
Shu Lin’s Grandpa by Matt Goodfellow and Yu Rong. Featured on our best books for Summer 2021 list.
I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith. Our January 24th 2021 book of the day.
The Wanderer by Peter Van den EndePrevious Carnegie and Kate Greenaway shortlists: Carnegie 2021 shortlist, Carnegie 2020 shortlist, Carnegie 2019 shortlist, Carnegie 2018 shortlist, Carnegie 2017 shortlist, Carnegie 2016 shortlist.
Further details about the Carnegie Medal 2022 shortlist and the Kate Greenaway 2022 award shortlist from the CILIP website.
Read about more Children’s Literature Awards
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