The Award Tally
FictionNonfiction

Wishlist

Saved in this browser only - it isn't synced to your other devices.

Dragon Award for Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel

Dragon Con (awarded annually at Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia)

An annual fan-voted award presented by Dragon Con recognizing the best young adult or middle grade novel in the science fiction, fantasy, or horror genres published during the eligibility period, chosen through open online voting by fans.

Latest winner · 2026

Next · expected July 2027

Shortlist announced Full award calendar

Search through 7,609 books

2026

  1. Ride or Die

    Delilah S. Dawson

    Won
  2. Hazelthorn

    CG Drews

    Shortlisted
  3. Make Me a Monster

    Kalynn Bayron

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  4. Queen of Faces

    Petra Lord

    Shortlisted
  5. Sky on Fire

    E.K. Johnston

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  6. The Executioners Three

    Susan Dennard

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted

2025

  1. Sunrise on the Reaping

    Suzanne Collins

    Nominated for 2 more awards

    Won
  2. Among Serpents

    Marc J Gregson

    Shortlisted
  3. Compound Fracture

    Andrew Joseph White

    Nominated for 2 more awards

    Shortlisted
  4. Friends Indeed

    Jane Lindskold & David Weber

    Shortlisted
  5. Labyrinth Arcanist

    Shami Stovall

    Shortlisted
  6. Rest in Peaches

    Alex Brown

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted

2024

  1. Midnight at the Houdini

    Delilah S. Dawson

    Won
  2. Death Lord Archanist

    Shami Stovall

    Shortlisted
  3. Hideki Smith, Demon Queller

    A.J. Hartley, Hisako Osako, Kuma Hartley

    Shortlisted
  4. Home Coming in Black

    J.M. Anjewierden

    Shortlisted
  5. So Let Them Burn

    Kamilah Cole

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  6. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth

    Andrew Joseph White

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted

2023

  1. The Golden Enclaves

    Naomi Novik

    Nominated for 2 more awards

    Won
  2. Academy Arcanist

    Shami Stovall

    Shortlisted
  3. Bloodmarked

    Tracy Deonn

    Won 1 more award · Nominated for 2 more awards

    Shortlisted
  4. Foul Lady Fortune

    Chloe Gong

    Shortlisted
  5. Rust in the Root

    Justina Ireland

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  6. The Scratch Daughters

    H. A. Clarke

    Nominated for 2 more awards

    Shortlisted

2022

  1. A Dark and Starless Forest

    Sarah Hollowell

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Won
  2. A Snake Falls to Earth

    Darcie Little Badger

    Won 2 more awards · Nominated for 3 more awards

    Shortlisted
  3. Akata Woman

    Nnedi Okorafor

    Won 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  4. Gallant

    V. E. Schwab

    Shortlisted
  5. Iron Widow

    Xiran Jay Zhao

    Nominated for 3 more awards

    Shortlisted
  6. Redemptor

    Jordan Ifueko

    Nominated for 4 more awards

    Shortlisted

2021

  1. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

    T. Kingfisher

    Won 2 more awards

    Won
  2. A Deadly Education

    Naomi Novik

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  3. A Peculiar Peril

    Jeff VanderMeer

    Shortlisted
  4. Elatsoe

    Darcie Little Badger

    Nominated for 3 more awards

    Shortlisted
  5. The Scapegracers

    Hannah Abigail Clarke

    Shortlisted
  6. The Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira

    Lou Diamond Phillips

    Shortlisted

2020

  1. Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth

    Bella Forrest

    Won
  2. Catfishing on CatNet

    Naomi Kritzer

    Won 2 more awards · Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  3. Cog

    Greg van Eekhout

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  4. Force Collector

    Kevin Shinick

    Shortlisted
  5. The Grace Year

    Kim Liggett

    Shortlisted
  6. The Poison Jungle

    Tui T. Sutherland

    Shortlisted

2019

  1. Bloodwitch

    Susan Dennard

    Won
  2. Archenemies

    Marissa Meyer

    Shortlisted
  3. Armageddon Girls

    Aaron Michael Ritchey

    Shortlisted
  4. Imposters

    Scott Westerfeld

    Shortlisted
  5. Sawkill Girls

    Claire Legrand

    Shortlisted
  6. The King's Regret

    Philip Ligon

    Shortlisted
  7. The Pioneer

    Bridget Tyler

    Shortlisted

2016

  1. The Shepherd's Crown

    Terry Pratchett

    Won
  2. Calamity

    Brandon Sanderson

    Shortlisted
  3. Carry On

    Rainbow Rowell

    Shortlisted
  4. Changeling's Island

    Dave Freer

    Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted
  5. Six of Crows

    Leigh Bardugo

    Shortlisted
  6. Steeplejack

    A. J. Hartley

    Shortlisted
  7. Trix & the Faerie Queen

    Alethea Kontis

    Shortlisted
  8. Updraft

    Fran Wilde

    Won 1 more award · Nominated for 1 more award

    Shortlisted

Frequently asked questions

Who won the Dragon Award for Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel in 2026?
“Ride or Die” by Delilah S. Dawson won the Dragon Award for Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel in 2026.
Who are the most recent Dragon Award for Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel winners?
2026: “Ride or Die” by Delilah S. Dawson; 2025: “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins; 2024: “Midnight at the Houdini” by Delilah S. Dawson; 2023: “The Golden Enclaves” by Naomi Novik; 2022: “A Dark and Starless Forest” by Sarah Hollowell.
Has anyone won the Dragon Award for Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel more than once?
Yes - 1 author has: Delilah S. Dawson (2024, 2026).