Celebrated New England-based author Sophie Masson has received national recognition, with her latest historical novel for young readers, Bold Ben Hall (Walker Books Australia), shortlisted in the Young People’s History Prize at the 2025 NSW History Awards.
The awards, presented annually by the State Library of New South Wales, celebrate excellence in historical research, writing, and storytelling across a range of categories. This year’s shortlist was announced earlier this week, with Masson’s book standing alongside two other distinguished titles in the Young People’s category.
Masson, who has published more than seventy books across genres including historical fiction, fantasy, and retellings of classic tales, said the nomination came as a wonderful surprise.
“I’m really excited to be shortlisted for the NSW History Awards—it’s a great honour, and delightfully unexpected,” she said.
“Bringing the story of Ben Hall to life in a way that young readers can relate to, through an adventure set in his time, and based on historical facts, but imaginatively seen through the contrasting viewpoints of my young main characters, theatre kid Lily and stable boy Sam, was such an enjoyable writing experience.”
“I’m doubly glad the judges enjoyed it and found it a worthy contender for the Awards! I have no idea what my chance of winning is—the other two books on the shortlist for the Young People’s category are pretty amazing—but I’m just thrilled to be on the shortlist.”
Bold Ben Hall introduces young readers to the life and legend of one of Australia’s most famous bushrangers, weaving fact with imagination to create a compelling story. The judges described the novel as “a vivid, human and accessible work that brings a complex era in Australian colonial history to life in a way that treats its young readership with respect”, praising Masson’s ability to balance historical detail with a lively, character-driven narrative.
In a synopsis on the NSW State Library website the book is heralded as, “A gripping and unusual adventure, set against a background of the hectic, action-packed atmosphere of the booming Gold Rush towns. It also asks important questions: what is a hero, what is a villain? And how do we separate fact from fiction?”
The nomination adds to Masson’s long list of literary achievements. Over her career, she has established herself as one of Australia’s most versatile storytellers, producing acclaimed works for children, teenagers, and adults. Her books often draw on history, folklore, and myth, reflecting her passion for bringing the past vividly to life for new generations of readers.
The NSW History Awards ceremony will be held in Sydney later this year, where winners across all categories—including Australian History, General History, and Digital History—will be announced. For Masson, being recognised on the shortlist is already a career highlight.
Further information about her work can be found at www.sophiemassonauthor.com.
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