YA Book Prize 2025: David Almond & New Judges Announced

Northumberland-based Almond is the writer of numerous novels, including his debut Skellig, which won the Carnegie Medal in 1998, and A Tune for Ella Grey, which was on the first-ever YA Publication Prize shortlist; he has actually additionally written a number of well as photo publications, radio programmes and plays. She commented: “Not only do I feel honoured, I feel incredibly flattered to be able to judge the YA Publication Reward 2025. Wadey, that is the children’s bookseller at independent bookshop Booka based in Oswestry, Shropshire, added: “I am so fired up to be on the YA Publication Reward evaluating panel for 2025.

YA Prize 2025 Judges Announced

The prize, run by The Bookseller magazine in collaboration with Edinburgh International Publication Event (EIBF), commemorates the best YA fiction titles from the UK and Ireland. The victor of this year’s ₤ 2,000 honor will certainly be revealed in a live event at EIBF on Thursday 21st August 2025.

Almond, Matuluko and Wadey will pick the YA Publication Prize 2025 winner from a 10-strong shortlist to be announced in June 2025 together with EIBF’s youngsters and schools program director Rachel Fox, with input from teen visitors. The panel will be chaired by The Bookseller’s children’s and deputy functions editor, Caroline Woodworker.

Wadey, who is the kids’s bookseller at independent bookshop Booka based in Oswestry, Shropshire, added: “I am so fired up to be on the YA Publication Reward evaluating panel for 2025. I can’t wait to read this year’s shortlist!” As running a number of youngsters’s book clubs consisting of Book Dragons for teens, Wadey is involved in selecting Compassion Lab’s titles for additional students and supports young people at the Attfield Youth Theater in her spare time.

Panel Includes Award-Winning Author

Acclaimed children’s and young person (YA) author David Almond OBE has actually signed up with the judging panel for the YA Book Prize 2025, together with fellow writer and BookToker Busayo Matuluko and youngsters’s bookseller Sian Wadey.

Northumberland-based Almond is the author of numerous stories, including his debut Skellig, which won the Carnegie Medal in 1998, and A Track for Ella Grey, which got on the first-ever YA Book Reward shortlist; he has also created a number of well as image books, radio programmes and plays. He is emeritus teacher of innovative creating at Bath Medical spa University and was awarded an OBE for services to literary works in 2021. He said: “It’s an honour to be involved with this important prize. Books for young people are at the heart of our society. I’m truly looking forward to being thrilled and shocked by what shows up.”

Matuluko’s Perspective

Matuluko is a registered nurse and award-nominated BookToker whose debut YA enigma ‘Til Fatality was published by Simon & Schuster Children’s UK in January 2025. She commented: “Not just do I really feel honoured, I really feel extremely flattered to be able to judge the YA Publication Reward 2025. I have actually read YA given that probably prior to I was even enabled to, so this is a full circle minute for me.”