Patrick Ness's A Monster Calls leads Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medal shortlists CILIP Carnegie Medal shortlist My Name Is Mina by David Almond (Hodder) Mina writes all her thoughts and dreams in a notebook to provide a vivid stream of consciousness journal. An extraordinary prequel to the author's Carnegie Medal-winning novel Skellig. 9 plus Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans (Doubleday) When 10-year-old Stuart moves to a new town he is caught up in a trail of clues to find his great-uncle's lost workshop, an alluring place filled with trickery, magic and danger. 8 plus The Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett (Walker) Set during a war, two brothers stumble across a town that has been bombed to ruins and find among the ruins a zoo, filled with animals. Sometimes almost unbearably sad, this is a poignant and beautifully written fable. Everybody Jam by Ali Lewis (Andersen) Set in the Australian outback this engaging novel conveys a terrific sense of place and character, as Danny struggles to come to terms with his brother's death and with having to grow up in a tough world. 12 plus Trash by Andy Mulligan (David Fickling) Three friends spend their days sifting through other people's rubbish until one day they find a small leather bag full of mysteries. From then on only their natural cunning can save them from the adult world closing in on them. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Walker) Conor has been having nightmares and has been expecting a monster to come for him ever since his mother started her treatment, but when it comes it is not the one he is expecting, and it wants something only Conor can give it. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher (Orion) Ten-year-old Jamie's sister has been dead for five years but though everyone said things would get better with time, they're now worse than ever. Jamie's observations are extremely well captured, and the issues raised are dealt with beautifully. 10 plus Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Septys (Puffin) Set in 1941, 15-year-old Lina and her mother and brother are deported to Siberia. Between Shades of Grey tells of their terrible fight to stay alive and remain hopeful. CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal shortlist for best children's illustrator Wolf Won't Bite by Emily Gravett (Macmillan) Three circus pigs make a wild wolf jump through hoops safe in the thought that "Wolf Won't Bite!" but can you push a wolf too far? This is a book full of beautifully visualised comic touches. 4 plus Puffin Peter by Petr Horáček (Walker Books) One of the few books about the friendship between two puffins finds Peter and Paul separated after a terrible storm. With the help of a blue whale Peter sets off to find Paul, and discovers all sorts of wonderful things on the way. The beautiful colourful drawings really come alive. A Monster Calls by Jim Kay, text by Patrick Ness (Walker Books) A monster in the garden is the stuff of nightmares and here Jim Kay's atmospheric, energetic pen and ink illustrations capture the meaning and emotion of the story to brilliant effect. Slog's Dad by Dave McKean, text by David Almond (Walker Books) Slog reckons that the scruffy bloke sitting on the street is his recently dead father come back to visit him for one last time. McKean uses different media to leave the reader full of hope. Solomon Crocodile by Catherine Rayner (Macmillan) Poor Solomon is looking for some fun but no one wants to play. A snappy, happy, stunning new book from the award-winning illustrator. The Gift by Carol Rob Ryan, text by Carol Ann Duffy (Barefoot Books) The Gift portrays the cycle of life in a subtle, accessible way while exploring themes of birth, death, love and the importance of family and friends. 6 plus There Are No Cats in This Book by Viviane Schwarz (Walker Books) A charming picture book with fantastic pop-out and photographic features, featuring three of the most lovable cats around. Can We Save the Tiger by Vicky White (Walker Books) A visually stunning and informative picture book about the world's endangered animals. To buy any of these books visit books.telegraph.co.uk