Fantasy writer Terry Pratchett has been short-listed for the most prestigious award in UK children's literature.

Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents is up for the Carnegie Medal, which will be awarded at a ceremony at the British Library in London on 12 July.

The contenders

Sharon Creech: Love That Dog Peter Dickinson: The Ropemaker Eva Ibbotson: Journey to the River Sea Elizabeth Laird: Jake's Tower Geraldine McCaughrean: The Kite Rider Geraldine McCaughrean: Stop The Train Terry Pratchett: Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents Virginia Euwer Wolff: True Believer

The tale, a reworking of the Pied Piper fable, is set in Discworld, the fantasy universe that forms the backdrop to Pratchett's adult works.

The author, who has twice before been nominated for the medal, is up against seven other writers on the shortlist.

The list was compiled by librarians across the UK.

Pratchett, 53, is one of the UK's most popular authors.

His books have sold 21 million copies worldwide.

Last year, his Discworld series headed a list of UK all-time bestselling books compiled by Whitaker BookTrack, which produces the weekly hardback and paperback sales charts.

Jane Austen: not as popular as Pratchett

In second place was Jane Austen, with Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park.

The field for this year's Carnegie Medal includes two previous winners.

Peter Dickinson is nominated for his fantasy novel, The Ropemaker, and Geraldine McCaughrean has picked up two nominations for her historical novels, The Kite Rider and Stop The Train.

The Kate Greenaway medal for outstanding illustration of a children's book will also be awarded at the ceremony.