Tales of arctic adventures, amazing ancestors and astrophysics in the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2024 shortlist

Retrace millions of years of human history, explore the coldest places on Earth, or journey through a rainbow with the shortlist for the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2024.

The prize recognises the best science books for under 14s and this year will enlist a record number of young judges to pick the ultimate winner.

The shortlist was selected by a panel, including CBeebies presenter and conservationist, Chantelle Lindsay; David Rigmand, Head Teacher at Wallace Primary School; acclaimed science communicator, Dr Emily Grossman; and Dr Emrys Evans, Royal Society University Research Fellow at Swansea University.

Professor Dorothy Bishop FRS, Emeritus Professor of Developmental Neuropsychology at University of Oxford and Chair of the shortlist judging panel, said:

“It was a real treat to be tasked with reading over 100 children’s science books. These books capture the wonder of science in such inventive ways, taking readers on a journey and breaking down complicated topics.

“Narrowing them down to just six was an almost-impossible task, but we are thrilled with the shortlist and hope the young judges enjoy reading them as much as we did.”

Now the six chosen books are being sent out to more than 770 schools, youth groups, and reading clubs across the UK to read, discuss, experiment and declare their winner.

The winning book will be unveiled at an award ceremony in Scotland in March 2025 with school groups and judges invited to join on the day for a host of science related workshops and activities.

The shortlisted books for the Young People’s Book Prize 2024 are:

• All Bodies Are Wonderful by Beth Cox, illustrated by Samantha Meredith
• The Expanding World of Data by Tom Jackson, illustrated by Ekaterina Gorelova and Ana Seixas
• Can You Get Rainbows in Space? by Dr Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Liz Kay
• Where Are You Really From? by Adam Rutherford, illustrated by Adam Ming
• Engineers Making a Difference by Shini Somara, illustrated by Manual Šumberac and Adam Allsuch Boardman
• Mission: Arctic by Katharina Weiss-Tuider, illustrated by Christian Schneider, translated by Shelley Tanaka

What the shortlisting panel said about this year’s books:

All Bodies Are Wonderful – An Inclusive Guide to Talking About You by Beth Cox, illustrated by Samantha Meredith

Chantelle Lindsay said: “This is the kind of book I wish I’d had as a child, and one that would be a great addition to any classroom. The author explains the principles of DNA, anatomy and how our environment shapes who we are in a really accessible way. The illustrations really bring home that everyone is different and that difference should be celebrated!”

Very Short Introductions for Curious Young Minds: The Expanding World of Data by Tom Jackson, illustrated by Ekaterina Gorelova and Ana Seixas

Professor Dorothy Bishop FRS said: “Data is transforming our world in so many exciting ways. This little pocket guide does a great job making a seemingly ‘boring’ topic really engaging, with lots of  illustrations to help explain the science. It’s jam-packed with information, but I particularly loved that it also encourages readers to ask questions and explore the world of data for themselves.”

Can You Get Rainbows in Space? by Dr Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Liz Kay

David Rigmand said: “This book was in high demand amongst the students across Wallace Primary School. The way the author journeys through the colours of the rainbow is so engaging, and it’s packed with amusing facts – who knew a hippo’s sweat is red, or blue eyes are actually an optical illusion?”

Where Are You Really From? – Our Amazing Evolution, What Race Really is and What Makes Us Human by Adam Rutherford, illustrated by Adam Ming

Dr Emrys Evans said: ‘Being half Welsh and half Thai, growing up I was often asked the question ‘Where are you really from?’, and was not sure how to answer it. Adam Rutherford tackles this question in such an engaging, humorous way, taking readers through millions of years of human history to explain how - no matter where you live, the language you speak or the colour of your skin – we all share the same common ancestors.”

Engineers Making a Difference – Inventors, Technicians, Scientists and Tech Entrepreneurs Changing the World, and How You Can Join Them, by Shini Somara and Manual Šumberac and Adam Allsuch Boardman

Professor Dorothy Bishop FRS said: “Engineers aren’t just the people who come to your house to fix the WiFi or fit the new oven, and this book showcases how diverse the field of engineering is. The case studies introduce readers to incredible people working on exciting solutions to big challenges facing the world today – I hope their stories help inspire engineers of the future.”

Mission: Arctic – A Scientific Adventure to a Changing North Pole, by Katharina Weiss-Tuider, illustrated by Christian Schneider, translated by Shelley Tanaka

Dr Emily Grossman said: “Few books for children manage to capture the urgency of the climate crisis whilst also giving young people a sense of hope for their future, and the feeling that they have agency over it. Mission: Arctic does just that. I was super impressed how this fascinating book about an Arctic expedition also tackles head-on the biggest crisis facing our world today, explores what needs to be done, and empowers young people to be part of that change.”