The longlist for the 2015 Branford Boase award has been published.

It includes the YA Book Prize-shortlisted Trouble by Non Pratt and Half Bad by Sally Green.

The Branford Boase award is given every year to the author and editor of a debut children’s novel. 60 books were submitted this year- when the prize was launched 15 years ago, they only had a dozen entries.

Chair of the judging panel, Julia Eccleshare said “It’s been hugely encouraging to watch the submission numbers grow. The children’s book market today is extremely vibrant, and this longlist features 18 very varied books by interesting new authors.”

Bone Jack by Sara Crowe, edited by Charlie Sheppard and Eloise Wilson – paranormal

A Room full of Chocolate by Jane Elson, edited by Naomi Greenwood . A story of friendship, family and pot bellied pigs

The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss, edited by Jane Griffiths 5* rated story

Cowgirl by Giancarlo Gemin, edited by Kirsty Stansfield Set in Wales, growing up on an estate

Half Bad by Sally Green, edited by Ben Horslen – 5* again Paranormal

Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall, edited by David Fickling and Bella Pearson. Historical fiction, Robin Hood

The Executioner’s Daughter by Jane Hardstaff, ed. S Paskins. Adventure, set in Tower of London

Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen, edited by Carmen McCullough and Lauren Buckland. Scifi-ish story of being trapped in a tower block

City of Halves by Lucy Inglis, edited by Imogen Cooper. Paranormal

Mars Evacuees by Sophia McDougall, edited by Sarah Hughes. Scifi

True Fire by Gary Meehan edited by Sarah Lambert Fantasy

Trouble by Non Pratt, edited by Annalie Grainger & Denise Johnstone-Burt. Story of pregnant school girl

Leopold Blue by Rosie Rowell, edited by Emily Thomas – eBook version South African fiction

The Dark Inside by Rupert Wallis, edited by Jane Griffiths Story of trying to lift a curse from a homeless man.

Dandelion Clocks by Rebecca Westcott, edited by Alexandra Antscherl

These will be ordered:

Archie Greene and the Magician’s Secret by D. D. Everest ed. by Alice Swan and Toni Markiet

Broken Strings by Maria Farrer, edited by Helen Thomas

Valentine Joe by Rebecca Stevens, edited by Rachel Leyshon