01 Nov Book Winner inspired by the true story of the pigeons who went to war

Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA) has announced the children and young adult books for the 2024 ARA Historical Novel

With prize money of $150,000, the ARA Historical Novel Prize gives Australian and New Zealand historical novelists the chance to be recognised in a class of their own, with the most significant prize purse for literature in Australasia. The Prize incorporates both an Adult category and a category for Children and Young Adult (CYA).

The  Winner for the 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize CYA Category ($30,000) is:

Spies in the Sky by Beverley McWilliams, Pantera Press  RRP $16.99 Ages 9+

Royal Blue is a royal racing pigeon from a long line of champions. Every morning he wakes in his comfortable loft at Sandringham House, eats the very best seeds and spends the day training with his best friend to be the fastest and strongest pigeon in Britain.

But there’s a war going on, and things are changing. Then one day the King himself comes to the loft and chooses Blue for a very special assignment.

As Blue goes on missions, helping with rescues, carrying secret messages and facing dangers he never could have imagined, one thing will become clear: never underestimate a pigeon.

The shortlisted titles for the 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize – CYA Category were:

Secret Sparrow by Jackie French (HarperCollins Publishers)
Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim (Allen & Unwin)
Spies in the Sky by Beverley McWilliams (Pantera Press)

For more information about the awards and to see last year’s winners, please visit the HNSA