Teen & Young Adult Book of the Year

Winner 2021

The New Girl by Sinead Moriarty

The New Girl

By Sinéad Moriarty

At school, Ruby is the odd one out. Although Denise and Clara are her friends, they are each other’s best friend and she is the ‘other’ friend. So when new girl Safa, a refugee who has just arrived in Ireland from Syria, joins the class, she is put sitting beside Ruby.

Safa and Ruby realise that their lives are very different. But as they get to know each other they soon discover that they have more in common than they might think.

A timely and heart-warming story of friendship from one of Ireland’s best-loved storytellers.

About Sinéad Moriarty...

Sinéad Moriarty is the much-loved author of 15 novels, and her books have been translated into 25 languages. The Way We Were won the Irish Book Award for Popular Fiction in 2015. Sinéad has won over readers and critics by telling stories that are humane, moving and relevant, and she hopes The New Girl will inspire a new generation of readers.

Explore the 2021 winners

Specsavers Children's Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Independent Crime Fiction Book of the Year
Ireland AM Popular Fiction Book of the Year
Eason Novel of the Year
New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent
Listowel Writers' Week Poem of the Year
Specsavers Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
RTÉ Audience Choice Award
Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year
Eason Sports Book of the Year
Bookselling Ireland Food & Drink Book of the Year
Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year
Dubray Biography of the Year
WHSmith Non-Fiction Book of the Year
TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year
Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana
Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year