All of the finalists on the 2023 Southern Book Prize Ballot have been reviewed by booksellers on The Southern Bookseller Review. Here is what they have to say about the Children's & YA finalists:

Beatrice Likes the Dark by April Genevieve Tucholke, Khoa Le (Illus.)
What a beautiful unfolding of sisterly love! It is what makes us uniquely different, that also makes us uniquely lovable. This book is sitting on my Grandma shelf–ready to share with my own darlings. –Annell Gerson, Bookmiser, Inc. in Marietta, GA

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
On the cusp of graduation, being named valedictorian, and escaping her small town, Chloe Green is counting down the days. That is, until her academic rival Shara Wheeler kisses her and then disappears, leaving only pink envelopes in her wake. Full of wit, charm, and heart! –Chelsea Stringfield, Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN

Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady, Gracey Zhang (Illus.)
Nigel and the Moon will make your heart swell in the best way! Sure to be a beloved book, Nigel’s story resonates deeply with those who are scared to share their dreams. –Lauren Kean, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
I thoroughly enjoyed how Alessa came into her own. What it means to be selfish and selfless. Is a hero the selfish Ghiotte, or the selfless Finestra, and is the balance necessary to be able to give your best? –Candice Conner, The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, AL

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
A book that sinks its teeth into you from the first page. Andrew Joseph White crafts a horrifying apocalyptic world that feels at once utterly fresh yet familiar as the narrative grapples with climate change, illness, religious extremism, and LGBTQ issues. It’s a furious novel– but not without hope. –Charlie Williams, Square Books in Oxford, MS

The Problem with Prophecies by Scott Reintgen
While this story raises questions about fate, free will, and magic, it is at its core a sweet story about family, friendship, and first crushes. Reintgen writes insightfully about the liminal space between childhood and adolescence. –Heather Jeziorowski, Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA

Booksellers can find links to Edelweiss collections for all the finalists here: Fiction | Nonfiction | Children's & YA