Matilda Children’s Literature Prize Shortlist announced

Three manuscripts shortlisted for Australia’s inaugural Matilda Children’s Literature Prize

HarperCollins Children’s Books Australia is delighted to announce the shortlist for the inaugural Matilda Children’s Literature Prize.

Launched to discover the country’s next great voice in children’s literature, The Matilda received nearly 300 entries from the length and breadth of Australia – from firm friendships to amazing adventures.

Each of the writers on the shortlist have written books that are fresh, individual and spot-on for the audience’ says Lisa Berryman, Children’s and Young Adult Publisher at HarperCollins.

In no particular order, the three manuscripts that have made the shortlist for the 2020 prize are:

• Crush by Selena ‘SR’ Silcox, where the city meets country as two teenage girls from different worlds fall for each other amongst the cane farms of a small town.
• The Truth About Luck by Samera Kamaleddine, the story of a 16-year-old Lebanese-Australian who struggles to navigate the complexities of her identity and cultural perceptions.
• Exposed by Sandy Bigna, about a teenager who starts having strange flashbacks about drowning and becomes obsessed with the need to know how her heart donor really died.

The Matilda is open to emerging and self-published writers of middle grade to young adult fiction, with the winner receiving a publishing deal with a $10,000 advance against royalties.

The winner of The Matilda Children’s Literature Prize will be announced on Tuesday 18 August 2020. For more information, visit www.harpercollins.com.au/thematildaprize.