I feel strongly, particularly this year, that the short-list does not reflect books appreciated by teenage boys.  I believe that as the judging panel are all or almost all female, their choice of books for the short-list is inevitably biased.  Books which appeal to and are aimed at teenage boys are not books which adult females would select for the short-list, even allowing for the strict criteria.  How else do you explain the predominance of female main characters and plots with largely emotional themes.  My reading group has more boys than girls and they are returning each book with "it's a good book, well-written, but it's not my type of book..".  None of them are excited or inspired by the books in the way that the girls are, which is such a shame.  It sends out the wrong message - 'good' books are girly books, books aimed at boys are inferior. 

I have 4 boys in my group and they have really enjoyed Here Lies Arthur, Crusade and Apache, as well as loving Finding Violet Park along with the rest of the group.!

I think that as the shortlist is decided by adults,it is often the case that, although they appreciate the value of the books, that the students do not enjoy them as much as other books they read.

 Many of the shortlisted books over the last few years have male characters as their 'leads' and are what i would consider 'boy books'.

This year who can deny that 'Here lies Arthur' could be a boys book, its about medevil war! also Crusade is clearly aimed more at boys than girls. Gatty's tale seams very girlish, but imo it is not a good book anyway. 'Ruby Red' applies equally to both genders, despite its main character being female. What I Was has a male lead also. ditto finding violet park.

Maybe boys just find it easier to say 'it's not ym type of book' then to try and explain what they find wrong with it.

 

If the children choose the shortlist they would choose books they enjoy readin such as Robert Muchamore and Jaqualine Wilson. I do not think gender target groups have any impact on the greatness of a book.

Half my reading group are boys (yr 9 - 11) and they finished all the books weeks ago!  Their favourites being Crusade and Apache.  The girls too (yrs 8 - 11) have devoured the books, their favourite being Apache.

I agree that it is difficult for adults to choose books on behalf of children, but this year I think the only title to be off the mark is What I was (which I loved for the atmospheric 2nd half).  The students were all puzzled by the ending which they found too abrupt and subtle.  I suggest they as yet, don't have the life experience to appreciate what was happening in the story.

Otherwise, I was surprised at how much the students all took to so many historical titles, which at first glance I didn't think would appeal.  Can't wait for the result!

I think its an interesting shortlist, and also i am surprised at the students response to the 'historical' books, they love 'em! whereas a book like finding violet park, which i thought would be much more apealing to them, is getting the thumbs down quite allot! maybe its the 'fantasy' aspect that the historical novels give, that makes them more enjoyable than the 'current teen' type books.

I found it strange that you said the short listed books were girly book. My group which had a mix didnot think this, they were not particuarly inspired by the books whether a boy or girl, although the girls did like Ruby Red but I would hardly class Here Lies Arthur or Crusade has more suited to girls than boys.

also the lead character was male in 3 of the books, and both in here lies arthur! lol :)