The finalists in the 2012 New Zealnd Post Children’s Book Awards were announced today.  These are the awards for the best books for children and young adults in New Zealand and they are awarded every year.  There are four categories – picture books, non-fiction, junior fiction and young adult fiction.

Here are the fantastic books that are finalists in each category:

Picture Books

• The Cat’s Pyjamas by Catherine Foreman
• Rahui (English and Maori version) by Chris Szekely, illustrated by Malcom Ross
• Shaolin Burning by Ant Sang
• Stomp! by Ruth Paul
• Waiting for Later by Tina Matthews

Junior Fiction

• The Flytrap Snaps by Johanna Knox
• Just Jack by Adele Broadbent
• The Loblolly Boy and The Sorcerer by James Norcliffe
• Super Finn by Leonie Agnew
• The Travelling Restaurant by Barbara Else

Young Adult Fiction

• The Bridge by Jane Higgins
• Calling the Gods by Jack Lasenby
• Dirt Bomb by Fleur Beale
• Sacrifice by Joanna Orwin
• Yes by Deborah Burnside

Non-fiction

• Digging up the Past: Archaeology For the Young and Curious by David Veart
• Kimble Bent: Malcontent by Chris Grosz
• The Life Cyle of the Tuatara by Betty Brownlie
• New Zealand Hall of Fame: 50 Remarkable Kiwis by Maria Gill and Bruce Potter
• Nice Day for a War: Adventures of a Kiwi Soldier in World War I by Chris Slane and Matt Elliot

Which ones are your favourites?  Who do you want to win?