Congratulations to Maisie Chan and her editor Georgia Murray, Piccadilly Press, as Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths wins the 2022 Branford Boase awarded to the author and editor of the outstanding debut novel for children. The Branford Boase Award, now in its 22nd year, is awarded annually for an outstanding first novel to a first-time writer of a book for young people, from ages 7 upwards. At the same time, it marks the important contribution of the editor in identifying and nurturing new talent.
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Winner and Shortlist
Danny Chung loves art. Unfortunately, everyone else – parents and schoolfriends alike - thinks he should love maths. Then his grandmother arrives from China, and she and Danny have to share a bedroom. It feels like a catastrophe, but could funny, intelligent Nai Nai turn out to be his best friend? The Branford Boase judges commented : &...
Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths by Maisie Chan, edited by Georgia Murray (Piccadilly Press) wins the Branford Boase Award 2022! When his grandmother arrives from China it feels like a catastrophe to Danny Chung, but his funny, intelligent Nai Nai turns out to be his best friend. The judges admired the depiction of the inter-generational relationship and felt the author’s love for the story she was telling.
The Branford Boase Award is recognised as one of the most important awards in children’s books with an impressive record in identifying authors with special talent at the start of their careers.
Uniquely, it also honours the editor of the winning title and highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new talent.
On winning the Branford Boase Award, Maisie says, “Winning the Branford Boase Award is amazing! I'm super happy for myself, but more so for my wonderful editor Georgia Murray from Piccadilly Press because she deserves recognition for helping to make Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths into the book that it became. I owe her a great deal. Thank you so much to the judges, I'm thrilled!”
Georgia Murray said: “I loved Maisie’s writing straight away – it’s fresh and funny and felt so grounded in real worlds, people and experiences. The dialogue sparkled. But I also loved Maisie’s astute and honest portrayal of her protagonist and his dilemmas straight off. And a protagonist who we just don’t see enough in children’s books – a young British-Chinese boy. It was a privilege to work with her and it’s a privilege to share the Branford Boase Award with her.”
Chair of the Judges, Julia Eccleshare says, “The Branford Boase Award stands out amongst prizes not just because it acknowledges both author and editor, but for the way it highlights exciting new directions for children’s literature. The authors and editors on our shortlist will shape children’s reading in the years and decades ahead. Congratulations to them all, we are very excited to see what they write next.”
2022 saw a record number of submissions. From a longlist of 24, the judges have chosen eight to shortlist, making this the longest shortlist in the award’s history. As ever, the subject matter is very broad and there are books for readers aged 7 to 17: family dramas, fantasy adventure, science fiction and anarchic comedy.
The books that made the shortlist:
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen, edited by Carmen McCullough and Tricia Lin (Penguin) Rooted in West African mythology and history, Skin of the Sea is a reimagining of The Little Mermaid. The judges 
admired its epic scale, successful world-building and dextrous use of myth.
The Upper World by Femi Fadugba, edited by Emma Jones, Stephanie Stein & Asmaa Isse (Penguin) A compelling, ambitious sci-fi thriller set on the streets of South-East London, blending theoretical physics with all-too-human tragedy. The judges admired the way the book flips the traditional urban narrative in a dynamic way, the author’s control of the timeline and recreation of teenage voices.
Grow by Luke Palmer, edited by Penny Thomas (Firefly Press) This challenging novel chronicles the grief of Josh and his mother after his father is killed in a terrorist attack and the attempt to radicalise Josh made by a group of white supremacists. The judges found it powerful, an unflinching exploration of an important subject with a raw sense of newness.
The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr, edited by Zöe Griffiths (Bloomsbury) Evacuated from London to a Welsh valley Jimmy feels out of place. As hidden secrets emerge, the valley becomes more frightening even than the war. The judges describe this as atmospheric storytelling at its best, a story with an unforgettable sense of place.
Digger and Me by Ros Roberts, edited by Ella Whiddett and Ruth Bennett (Little Tiger) A warm-hearted story that explores the importance of family, love, friendship and finding ways to communicate emotions and fears. The judges admired the strong emotional punch and noted the impact of its many tiny observations.
The Boy who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter, edited by Lauren Fortune (Scholastic) Billy Plimpton has a stammer, but he’s determined that it isn’t going to dictate how he is viewed at his new school or stop him achieving his dream of being a stand-up comic. The judges felt that readers absolutely inhabit Billy’s world and admired the touches of detail throughout the story.
Grimwood by Nadia Shireen, edited by Ali Dougal (Simon and Schuster) Grimwood is a paradise for animals (or so it seems) which offers the perfect protection for young fox, Ted, and his protective sister, Nancy when they are forced to flee the city by mobster cat, Princess Buttons. The judges were impressed by the anarchic, irreverent, disrespectful tone, and it made them laugh out loud.
This year the judges were Struan Murray, author and winner of the 2021 Branford Boase Award; critic Imogen Russell Williams; Farrah Serroukh, Research and Development Director CLPE; and Sonia Thompson, Head Teacher at St Matthew’s C.E. Primary School, Birmingham. The judging panel was chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children's director of the Hay Festival and one of LoveReading4Kids' editorial experts.
The winner of the Branford Boase Award 2022 was be announced on Thursday 14th July at a ceremony in Central London. The winning author received a cheque for £1,000 and both author and editor received an inscribed plaque.
You can watch the ceremony unfold at the Branford Boase Awards 2022 Celebration Ceremony feature over on LoveReadingLitFest
