ABOUT THE
JUDGES

URMI MERCHANT

Urmi Merchant is the co-founder and director of the children’s specialist bookshop and events space Pickled Pepper Books, located in north London. She is passionate about the role bookshops play in communities, loves spending time being creative in the shop, and would like to open another branch by the sea.

OTHER JUDGES IN THIS CATEGORY

READ MORE ABOUT THE 2023 CHILDREN’S FICTION SHORTLIST

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln. Illustrated by Claire Powell

Photography © Aashfaria A. Anwar

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