The Siam Book Awards are run by a group of international school librarians in Thailand. The award is designed to celebrate excellence in global children’s literature and create a shared local community of enthusiastic readers.
The Awards programme has four categories: Early Reader Books, Younger Reader Books, Middle Reader Books and Young Adult Books. The shortlisted books have all been published in the last three years and promote diversity of author, theme, genre, character, setting and narrative style. We really do hope there is something for everyone to discuss, debate and enjoy.
If you have any questions about the Siam Book Awards, please contact a member of the committee via siamBAcommittee@gmail.com and they will endeavor to answer your query.
A range of titles were considered, from which the short list was drawn. The following criteria were used to help the shortlisting panel to arrive at a balanced selection of books:
- Books first published, or published in English, over the past 3 years (at the point when the books are long/shortlisted). This year, the process took place between January and March 2023.
- Only the first book in a series was considered, unless it was one that could be read as a standalone story.
- FICTION – Unrealistic, Fantasy, Sci-Fi.
- FICTION – Realistic (variety of genres).
- NON FICTION – both narrative and traditional, along with memoirs, autobiographies etc.
- Format variety (prose, graphic, verse, poetry, short stories, etc.)
- Geographical connection (by author’s origin, country of publication, setting of story, etc.)
- Diversity (gender, race, culture, ability, identity, etc.)
- Translation.
- Social/global issues.
- Books with a Thailand or Asian connection.