Little Rebels Shortlisted Books

WINNER Little Rebels Award 2017 "Why does it tick and why does it tock? Why don't we call it a granddaughter's clock?" The day she turns three, Ada begins a lifetime of asking, "WHY?" . For Ada, everything is a potential quiz, riddle and puzzle to be unravelled. Her parents are frazzled. Her teachers are frazzled. But, in the end, everyone recognises that at the core of all this chaos and testing and answering is a budding and brilliant scientist. A book guaranteed to pique children's interest in STEM subjects. Fantastic rhythms and rhymes, scrummy illustrations with fantastic detailing; this is what people mean when they talk about a perfect picture books- a flweless dialogue between text and illustration. From the creators of the much-loved Rosie Revere, Engineer and Iggy Peck, Architect. But, inspired by the stories of Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, this is perhaps our favouritest so far... You can see 2 of our teen reviewers sharing their own views on Ada Twist here. Age 4-7, Hardback 30pp

WINNER Little Rebels Award 2014 A dystopian novel set in the UK. The 5 major banks have crashed, money is worthless, law & order are fragile and food is a precious commodity. The options are to go hungry, store food and risk being raided or flee the country. Matt and his family are forced to take that final option and make the dangerous escape to a refugee camp in France. Little Rebels Judge, Wendy Cooling, said: 'This is a frighteningly believable story, a real page-turner with a strong sense of danger always present, and many big issues of a possible future just below the surface. Gillian Cross tells the story brilliantly, never offering the reader a break in the drama, and creating characters to really care about'. On accepting the award, Gillian Cross said, 'we don't write tracts; we don't write propaganda when we write fiction, but we can't help writing things which engage with who we are and how we live in the world'. Age 9-12, Paperback 296pp

WINNER Little Rebels Award 2013 A smashing, Amnesty-endorsed, story of a family's escape from war and their journey and subsequent adjustment to a strange new country (which might easily be the UK). Realistic and positive and so very needed in this current climate in which children are hearing so many stories of real life refugees filtered through the media. Told in a super child-friendly, comic-style, format. Based on the author's experiences among refugee families. Little Rebels Judge, Elizabeth Laird, said: 'A simple and powerful story, one with which we should all be tragically familiar, with a text and pictures that are rich, appealing and satisfyingly detailed.' Little Rebels Judge, Wendy Cooling, said: 'The text and illustrations work together brilliantly as they invite children to enjoy the story, and to think about the lives of other children.' Age 7-11, Paperback 36pp

Winner Little Rebels Award 2013 A smashing, Amnesty-endorsed, story of a family's escape from war and their journey to a strange new country (probably the UK). Realistic and positive. Told in a super child-friendly, comic-style, format. Age 7-11, Hardback 36pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2016 It's a hat trick for John Boyne- this is his 3rd time on the Little Rebels shortlist, following on from the shortlistings of The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket in 2013 and Stay Where You Are and Then Leave in 2014. In his latest exploration of the cruelties of war, Boyne introduces a boy called Pierrot, orphaned at a young age, who ends up in Hitler's Austrian house in the mountains, the Berghof. Pierrot starts out as a kind, sensitive child who loathes bullying and shares a magical friendship with a Jewish boy, Anshel (who is also deaf). But then gradually, over the years at Berghof we see Pierrot become Pieter, slowly but surely infected by Nazi ideology, prejudice, and racism- and by the trappings of power. A study of corruption and atonement. Age 11+, Paperback 272pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2017 Winner - Waterstones Children's Prize 2017 British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year A magical fantasy starring a girl of enormous courage. Isabella Riosse lives on the island of Joya, ruled by a strict Governor. When the Governor's daughter and Isabelle's best friend, Lupa, disappears into the forbidden territories, it is up to our fearless protagonist to use her inherited gifts of cartography, her maps of ink and stars, to carry out a rescue mission. Age 9-12, Paperback 227pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2016 Jessie's Grandma is sounding confused- and she keeps harking on about past events which are clearly troubling her. Meantime, at school, Jessie is learning about the rise of fascism during the 1930s. Jessie starts to realise that these historical events are not so far removed from the present day prejudices she is witnessing in her immediate neighbourhood. A story about social justice which makes direct links between present-day Britain and Nazi Germany. Ages 9-12, Paperback 167pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2016 Gill Lewis was named winner of the Little Rebels Award in 2015 for Scarlet Ibis and this is now the 3rd time Gill Lewis has been shortlisted (see also Moon Bear)! This is classic Lewis- the interweaving of separate animal and human stories to expose issues around social justice. Set in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this story explores how the farming of a mineral needed for mobile phones is destroying the gorilla's natural habitat. Linked to this is the story of two children, Imara and Bob, who are held by a group of rebel soldiers. Fundamentally a story about exploitation (by both rebel soldiers and Western companies)- of children, of animals- for profit. Age 11+, Paperback 326pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2015 Oscar loves spending time with his Grandma but lately she has been getting forgetful and soon she has to go into a care home. A child-friendly exploration of what dementia is. Includes factual information to help children talk about their feelings and find new ways to enjoy the changing relationship. Little Rebels Judge, Elizabeth Laird, said: 'This tender, lovely story perfectly celebrates the close bond that many grandparents have with their grandchildren, and it handles with great sensitivity the adjustment that children have to make when a beloved grandmother's increasing dementia means that she has to go into a care home'. Ages 4-7, Paperback 28pp

WINNER Little Rebels Award 2016 The finches exist as an undifferentiated flock, going through each day together, doing the same thing, at the same pace. And then...one night, one particular finch, Henry Finch, has a thought. And he hears it. And he knows himself to be Henry Finch. And therefore also capable of greatness... A highly original philosophical book for the very young, addressing individualism, bravery, finding your way and, even, existentialism. Age 6-11, Paperback 37pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2016 An energetic picture book which takes on gender stereotypes and smashes them to smithereens. Meet a girl who is competitive, noisy, brainy, speedy, messy and, who is consequently... repeatedly mistaken for a boy. Puts paid to all of those tiresome 'boys are...' 'girls are...' opening lines. Age 4-7, Paperback 29pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2016 Superhero Origami Girl is back and this time she is on a mission to save a local bookshop. Foreman delivers us all of the defining ingredients of a 'radical' children's book; this could have been written for the Little Rebels Award with its themes of: capitalism threatening a local community and independent businesses, the complacency of governments in the face of large corporations, the possibilities of people power and local community action. Age 4-7, Hardback 22pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2017 A bold, stark and subversive retelling of Red Riding Hood. Little Red is hooded and booted, alert and on guard, strategic and cunning, brutal when needed and… utterly fearless. Includes a perfect refrain for children to join in with: "Which might have scared some little girls. But not this little girl." A simple palette of monochrome, cut across by dashing red, this is by a very talented new artist who won the 2015 Macmillan Prize for Illustration. 'Brilliant, modern day, twist to a classic fairy tale. Everything about this book is strong- a fearsome hero for all children who hear this tale' (Meryl, EY Consultant & Trainer, LL reviewer). Age 3-6, Paperback 24pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2015 Raffi is a small boy with hair a little longer than most and clothes brighter than most. Shy and quiet, he dislikes noise and ball games- and is often teased at school. When he discovers sewing and knitting, the teasing simply goes up a notch. Can Raffi find a way to enjoy and celebrate his 'difference'? Might his classmates even, finally, see him as a little enviable? Little Rebels Judge, Wendy Cooling, said: 'Craig Pomranz was inspired by a true-life incident to tell this story, one of diversity and celebration of difference...When Raffi discovers knitting and sewing his life turns around. At first he's teased but his enthusiasm helps him to ignore this and when he rises to the challenge of a cloak for the school play, other children treat him with a new respect and realise that his difference is something special. This is an inclusive book, illustrated to complement the brilliance of Raffi's ideas'. Age 4-7, Paperback 40pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2014 When her mother dies from a snake bite, Comity and her dad are left to fend for themselves in the middle of nowhere- the Australian outback in the 19th century. As her father loses himself in grief, Comity turns to Fred, a young Aboriginal boy and builds a friendship with him which then fires the prejudices and violence of the white 'settlers'. (NB: the author has described Comity's name as meaning "harmony and understanding between nations"). Little Rebels Judge, Wendy Cooling, said: 'There's cruelty and prejudice in this story as shocking events lead to huge misunderstandings and a dramatic climax. From the very beginning, "The piano arrived too late to stop the sky falling in", McCaughrean's writing is glorious and readers will be fully involved in what follows. Sadly some the issues involved, especially prejudice, are as relevant as ever". Age 9-12, Paperback 292pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2014 12-year-old Tam is forced to leave his forest community in Laos to work for a bear farm in the city. A story about the cruel trade in bear bile, the narrative also explores conservation, urbanisation and dislocated communities, child labour and exploitation, landmines and corrupting consumerism. Little Rebels Judge, Kim Reynolds, said: 'Little Rebels need more than causes: they need to believe that change is possible. In twelve-year-old Tam...they are given a believable role model and an example of how positive change can be achieved when people work together'. Age 9-12, Paperback 284pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2015 Nadine and her family flee the civil conflict and rebel army in Goma to start over in the UK. But school is a strange and frightening place to Nadine- until a teacher finds her a special picture which reminds her of home. Little Rebels Judge, Kim Reynolds, said: 'This short book conveys some of the sense of strangeness, fear and unhappiness children like Nadine experience. It also provides an optimistic ending of a kind that can help children believe it is possible for situations to improve- a vital source of inspiration for little rebels in the making'. Reading Age 7+ Interest 8-12, Paperback 47pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2017 Ossiri is a Traveller girl, one of the Tattin Folki who toil day in and day out, recycling, renewing and selling on all manner of goods. When Ossiri discovers her inner musician, she decides to craft herself a special instrument out of scraps. Music to her own ears, her family aren't quite so convinced by her melodies...But then, when the family move on to Lancashire, Ossiri takes her music up on to the peaks where she is greeted enthusiastically by a great big yawning ogre, the Bala Mengro. Indeed this beastie seems to be able to turn her music into gold! The very talented Richard O'Neill, a Romani storyteller, gets this traditional Traveller tale in print and in doing so, not only offers a perfectly formed read aloud but also a casual insight into Travelling culture. "Has all the component of a stompingly good fairytale with its hairy ogre, its pint-sized hero and its journey towards good fortune. I'm a fan! (Now where can I find my own pair of very shiny leather boots!' (Fen, LL reviewer). Age 4-7, Paperback 28pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2015 Pearl has had to move house because her mum has been promoted to 'The Boss'. Her new big school works out fine until she encounters Sebastian, a little boy who is keen to suggest that Pearl goes about everything 'like a girl'. A book about a brave little girl who challenges sexist stereotyping head on. Super-funky artwork. Little Rebels Judge, Kim Reynolds, said: 'The illustrations in this picture book are terrific. Their clarity and power complement a story about a successful lone mother and her brave and determined daughter Pearl as mum starts a new job and Pearl joins a new school. This story has a strong feminist message that shows girls can be strong, creative - and kind'. Ages 4-7, Paperback 34pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2014 A street thief in a "mean and hard and ugly city" nearly snatches a woman's handbag...the woman tells the child she can have the bag if she makes a promise in return. It's a promise she keeps and its consequences bring about her own and her environment's transformation. A picture book which explores our relationship with nature and offers a vision of a new harmony. Little Rebels Judge, Kim Reynolds, said: 'This gorgeous picture book features a young urban thief who becomes a guerrilla gardener of mythic proportions. The poetic prose underscores the vital connection between humans and nature and encourages young readers to believe that, despite the gloomy news about climate change, they can make a difference through small actions. Laura Carlin's atmospheric illustrations movingly follow the change from grey, grim cityscapes to vibrant cities in bloom'. Ages 5-8, Paperback 38pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2014 A slice of historical fiction detailing the remarkable life of Harriet Tubman: her enslavement, her fight for freedom and then her immeasurable bravery freeing others through the Underground Railroad, as a nurse during the civil war and as a suffragette. Little Rebels Judge, Elizabeth Laird, said: 'Harriet Tubman is an enthralling figure in the history of the American Civil Rights movement. This short, gripping biography will inspire young readers, both lovers of fiction and non-fiction alike. Harriet Tubman's idealism, courage and self-sacrifice make her an ideal role model in an era where empty celebrity is an aspiration for so many children'. Age 10-12, Paperback 112pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2014 "This is the story of Rosie Revere, who dreamed of becoming a great engineer". A gender-role-subversive picture book about an inventive girl and an inspirational aunt who shows her that failure isn't to be feared. Inspired by the fictional World War II character, Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of women's work during the war. Little Rebels Judge, Elizabeth Laird, said: 'This wittily illustrated book is a great feminist stereotype-buster. Rose, who has a passion for making gizmos and gadgets, creates wildly ambitious machines'. Age 4-7, Hardback 30pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2015 Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2017 "Deep in the forest lived a badger called Pete / Who tidied and cleaned and kept everything neat". Pete is very particular and pernickety. He polishes the forest rocks, hoovers up the leaves, brushes the birds' beaks...a fastidiousness which eventually leads to Pete pulling up all those irritating, leaf-dropping trees and entirely concreting over the forest floor-with disastrous consequences! An attractive, rhyming, picture books with a very gentle message about preserving our natural world. Age 3-6, Paperback 40pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2016 As the back cover reads, "A completely bonkers book that is not linked to Gobb Education at all". Malcolm is a sensible 10-year-old full of sensible questions. Which leads to one or two clashes with Uncle Gobb, Uncle Gobb's world views and his dreaded shed. Two artists known for their comic touch combine forces to deliver an anarchic story which exposes and shames, hilariously, many aspects of contemporary culture but, in particular, recent educational policies. All done so in a way which nods knowingly to both adults and children. Age 7-10, Paperback 203pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2013 Dedicated to wild children everywhere. A glorious, anti-authoritarian, hymn to the wonders of the natural world, to toadstools, to snails- and to every spirited and curious child! 'Stunning pictures and lovely rhymes' (Childminder, LL reviewer). Little Rebels Judge, Wendy Cooling, said: 'This is a beautiful picture book with a rhyming, rhythmic text that is a joy to read aloud; a book that will resonate in children's heads and be interpreted in many ways. The stunning, painterly illustrations present just one understanding of the text; the reader will see more'. Age 4-7, Paperback 24pp

WINNER Little Rebels Award 2015 Scarlet is used to looking after her little brother so when her mum's depression results in them being split up into different foster homes, Scarlet is determined to get her brother back. Explores mental health and the complexities of the care system (without demonizing any social workers!) Little Rebels Judge, Kim Reynolds, said: 'Scarlet Ibis stands out as a book that not only fulfils the criteria for the award but is also excellently crafted...a story that celebrates the often overlooked courage, loyalty and competence of children. As Gill Lewis acknowledges, some children are already changing their worlds. Scarlet Ibis will encourage others to think about how they might improve conditions for wildlife and vulnerable people, young and old'. Accepting the award, Gill Lewis said, '(The award) reminds me to keep on being a little rebel. Because being a rebel isn't just about challenging the big things...it's also about challenging everyday things; it's about not letting prejudice sneak in...(because) it comes in in celebrity jokes or it rides on the back of politicians tapping into our fears'. You can see her full acceptance speech here: Ages 9-12, Paperback 203pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2015 A band of forest folk spot a bird. Three of them have a plan: to sneak up on it and capture it with their nets and cage. One of them, the smallest one, wants to chat to birdy and feed it crumbs, a gesture which has unexpected consequences. A subtle, minimal words picture book about kindness and friendship winning out over force and enmity. Little Rebels Judge, Elizabeth Laird, said: 'This is a book of wonderful subtlety and humour. The message of non-violence and respect for the natural world is conveyed with almost no words, in simple, bold artwork that children will love'. Age 2-6 , Paperback 37pp Also available as a boardbook ref: 2494b

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2014 There is nothing in the world Alfie wanted more than to ride the milk float with his Dad... but everything changes the day World War I begins and his beloved Dad enlists as a soldier. Divided families and communities, poverty, attitudes towards mental health and the treatment of conscientious objectors are all explored here. Little Rebels Judge, Wendy Cooling, said: 'Alfie' s story tells not of the glory of war but of the horrors... - shellshock and conscientious objection and the judgements and prejudice that goes with them... a compelling, brilliantly imagined story with a strong sense of time and place; a story of love and survival that touches all the emotions.' Ages 9-12, Paperback 247pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2017 Joe is proud of his Welsh/Italian heritage and the business run by his family in Bryn Mawr, South Wales. Mum is starting to feel less enamoured with Café Merelli's cracked Formica walls and peeling vinyl, none of which is likely to get repaired while the local recession persists. But Joe is full of entrepreneurial spirit. Inspired by his grandfather/Nono's stories of the past and with the arrival of his authentically Italian cousin, Mimi, Joe is eager to learn all the secrets of al dente pasta and to fight to protect Café Merelli's future by reviving it's Italian origins. Along the way, Joe learns some sometimes difficult truths about his own roots and the history and lives of Italian immigrants in Wales. A warm, funny and clever story about identity, belonging and immigration, within a working-class (for once!) community- with a very endearing, chip-loving, opera-adoring child at its centre. (nb: one of the narrative strands is loosely based on the 1940 sinking of the SS Arandora Star which sailed from Liverpool with interned Italians and Germans- 53 of the Italians who died were from Wales). Fab backnotes on opera and some pasta recipes! Age 9-12, Paperback 283pp

Shortlisted Little Rebels Award 2013 A chapter book for younger readers which introduces the unusual Barnaby Brocket, the terrible thing that happened to him and his fantastic odyssey around the world. A narrative about being different, being extraordinary and being happy with yourself. Little Rebels Judge, Elizabeth Laird, said: 'Written with delicacy and humour, The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket is based on a witty and original concept worked through to its final dramatic denouement'. Age 8-12, Paperback 278pp