Here are the shortlists of finalists for this year's New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults (NZCYA). The winning books are announced on August 14th. Check these books out and decide which books are your favourites to win in 2024.

Find the 2024 finalists in the Dunedin Public Libraries collections below:

Picture Book Awards

At the Bach
Written by Joy Cowley and illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper

Dazzlehands
Written by Sacha Cotter and illustrated by Josh Morgan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Te Whānau-a-Kai)

Hatch and Match
Written and illustrated by Ruth Paul

Lucy and the Dark
Written by Melinda Szymanik and illustrated by Vasanti Unka

Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai
Written by Michaela Keeble and illustrated by Tokerau Brown

Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction

DoubleDippers!
Written and illustrated by Raymond McGrath

Lopini the Legend
Written by Feana Tu‘akoi, the 2024 Children's Writer in Residence at the University of Otago.

Nine Girls
Written by Stacy Gregg (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāti Maru Hauraki)

Take Me to Your Leader
Written by Leonie Agnew

The Grimmelings
Written by Rachael King

Young Adult Fiction Award

Catch a Falling Star
Written by Eileen Merriman

New Dawning
Written by A M Dixon

Tonight, I Burn
Written by Katharine J Adams

The Sparrow
Written by Tessa Duder

Tsunami
Written and illustrated by Ned Wenlock

Elsie Locke Non-Fiction Award

Patu: The New Zealand Wars
Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Tainui, Ngāti Awa)

The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions
Written and illustrated by Giselle Clarkson

Tuatara: A Living Treasure
Written by Katie Furze and illustrated by Ned Barraud

Ultrawild: An Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City on Earth
Written and illustrated by Steve Mushin

Wot Knot You Got: Mophead’s Guide to Life
Written and illustrated by Selina Tusitala Marsh

Russell Clark Award for Illustration

Dazzlehands
Written by Sacha Cotter and illustrated by Josh Morgan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Te Whānau-a-Kai)

Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai
Written by Michaela Keeble and illustrated by Tokerau Brown

Patu: The New Zealand Wars
Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Tainui, Ngāti Awa)

Samples From the Lab
Illustrated and written by Rob Foote

The Dream Factory
Illustrated by Zak Ātea (Te Āti Awa Taranaki)

Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Māori

He Tārū Kahika
Written by Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu) and translated by Pānia Papa (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta)

Nani Jo me ngā Mokopuna Porohīanga
Written by Moira Wairama and illustrated by Margaret Tolland

Te Pīkari Pipi
Written by Angie Belcher, illustrated by Lily Uivel and translated by Pānia Papa (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta)

Te Pukapuka ka kore e Pānuihia
Written by Tim Tipene (Ngāti Kurī, Te Uri-o-Hau, Ngāti Whātua), illustrated by Nicoletta Benella and translated by Kanapu Rangitauira (Te Arawa, Ngati Porou, Te Whakatohea)

Te Rā Kura Ki Aotearoa
Written and illustrated by Donovan Bixley and translated by Darryn Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto, Rereahu)

NZSA Best First Book Award

New Dawning
Written by A M Dixon

Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai
Written by Michaela Keeble and illustrated by Tokerau Brown

Rere Atu Taku Poi! Let My Poi Fly!
Written by Tangaroa Paul (Muriwhenua)

Tsunami
Written and illustrated by Ned Wenlock

Ultrawild: An Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City on Earth
Written and illustrated by Steve Mushin