The finalists for the young adult category of this year’s New Zealand Post Book Awards have been announced! Congratulations to the authors! Take one (or more) out and read it today! Then you can vote for your favourite and go into the draw to win $500 of book tokens for yourself and $500 for your school.

The Bridge, Jane Higgins – “The city is at war. Southside, the hostiles live in squalor and desperation. They’re hungry to cross the river. Cityside, ISIS is in charge, the brains behind the war. Its job—keep the hostiles at bay. ISIS only recruits the best for its elite command. Nik is smart. Very smart. So why does ISIS reject him? Before he can find out, his school is bombed. The hostiles take the bridges, and they’ve kidnapped Fyffe’s brother Sol. Now Nik is on the run. And Fyffe is going with him. Across the bridge.” (author’s website)

Calling the Gods, Jack Lasenby – “Banishment is the cruellest punishment, and Selene is being driven out unjustly by her own people. A story of violence, love and courage, of leadership and betrayal, a tale of a young woman’s heroic persistence against impossible odds. First person recount.” (catalogue)

Dirt Bomb, Fleur Beale – “Jake’s life is sweet and he wouldn’t change a thing. He’s got no money and doesn’t have a mobile, but he’s got two best mates; Buzz and Robbie. Buzz is generous and doesn’t mind buying stuff for his mates. Robbie has the idea of rescuing an old wreck from a ditch and making it into a paddock basher. Buzz, however, puts a spanner in the works by saying he’s not paying for it all, it’s even stevens or no deal. Robbie gets a job, but Jake refuses. It’s just not his style to work for a boss. But he desperately wants to drive that car, and the others are going to go ahead without him.” (catalogue)

Sacrifice, Joanna Orwin – “Several generations after volcanic eruptions and tsunamis caused the onset of the Dark, descendants of the few survivors struggle to maintain their communities in the swamplands at the far north of New Zealand. Every five years, youths are selected to venture south to search for any remaining food sources. Taka is determined to be one of those chosen, but he is unaware of the daunting new challenges and the sacrifices which may be required of this group of Travellers if their people are to survive.” (catalogue)

Yes, Deborah Burnside – “Marty knows that when his mate Luke attempts to involve him in another crazy venture, it’s futile to resist. This time it’s the Young Enterprise Scheme. Luke believes it will make them rich and popular, and along the way will capture the heart of his elusive love. Reluctantly Marty says yes. And what comes next is a whole lot bigger and weirder than he could ever have imagined.” (catalogue)