The shortlist for the Branford Boase award has just been announced, and we are thrilled that it includes Cowgirl, the debut novel by G.R. Gemin!
The Branford Boase award is given annually to the author and editor of an outstanding debut novel for children – it’s the only award that recognises a book’s editor in this way, and alongside G.R. Gemin, Cowgirl’s editor, Kirsty Stansfield, is also shortlisted.
This is the first time a Nosy Crow book has been shortlisted for the award, and we’re all IMMENSELY proud of both Giancarlo and Kirsty.
The shortlisting is the latest in a series of accolades for Cowgirl: as well as the Branford Boase, it’s also been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the UKLA Book Award, and the Tir na n-Og Award, and nominated for the Carnegie Prize.
And it truly deserves every ounce of praise: Cowgirl is a very special debut. With strong female characters and big-hearted social realism (think Michael Morpurgo meets Jacqueline Wilson), this is a funny, moving story about communities coming together and finding happy endings in unexpected places
If you’ve not yet discovered the book, here are the first three chapters of Cowgirl:
The winner of the Branford Boase award will be announced on the 9th July at a ceremony in London. Congratulations, Giancarlo and Kirsty!
