Congratulations to Nathanael Lessore, winner of the Branford Boase Award 2024 for Steady For This (Hot Key Books), the story of 13-year-old, would-be rapper Shaun, aka MC Growls, as he navigates life, love and dreams of stardom.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Branford Boase Award, which was founded in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor at Walker Books Wendy Boase. The award celebrates the year’s outstanding début novel for young people aged seven and up and is unique in honouring a book’s editor as well as the author. Nathanael Lessore shares the award with his editors Ella Whiddett and Ruth Bennett.

Set on the Peckham estate where Nathanael grew up and written in lively, rap-infused language, Steady for This manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and tender and moving. Commenting on his win, Nathanael said: “Writing Steady For This was fun, in the same way that crying with laughter or having unlimited funds at a funfair is fun. I can’t say that I’m proud of myself for writing Steady For This, in the same way I’m not proud of myself for playing pool in the pub, because I enjoyed myself so much when doing it. And while work plays a big part in the publishing of books, so does luck. My publisher Hot Key Books and my editors Ella and Ruth have played the role of genie in a lamp granting wishes. The best thing about this award is that I get to share it with my genies. Together, we’ve produced a book that brings a smile to people’s faces, and I will forever be grateful to the Branford Boase Award for choosing Steady For This as this year’s winner.”

Steady For This was chosen from a shortlist of six titles. Presenting this year’s award, judge Christine Pillainayagam, author of Ellie Pillai is Brown and last year’s winner, said: “Every book on this year’s shortlist represents the very best of children’s literature, and shows how the publishing industry is adapting to the needs of children and young people today. It was an exciting year to be part of the judging panel, and I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to read and discuss these brilliant books that made me feel every emotion imaginable. Despite strong competition, Steady For This was a unanimous winner. A bright, funny, moving story that felt joyful and fresh, we couldn’t wait to read more of Nathanael’s work.”

The Branford Boase Award has a track record of picking out future stars of the children’s book world. Previous winners include Meg Rosoff, Liz Hyder, Marcus Sedgwick, M.G. Leonard and Frances Hardinge. Co-founder of the award and Chair of Judges Julia Eccleshare said: “Congratulations to Nate, Ella and Ruth and to all the authors and editors on this year’s shortlist. We look forward to watching the shortlisted authors’ careers develop and to many more outstanding books for children and young people.”