April 29th 2005                       

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR 2005 BRANFORD BOASE AWARD

The seven shortlisted books for the 2005 Branford Boase Award are announced today.

The high number of entries - 33 this year - reflects publishers' continuing enthusiasm for supporting new fiction. The quality of the entries is such that it is hard to believe that these are debut children’s novels. The shortlist showcases a wonderful array of talent.

Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare said: “We were very excited by the books on offer. To find such good quality writing over such a wide age spread is very heartening. It shows that new writers are considering the particular needs of all readers.”

The respect of established writers for the originality of the newcomers' ideas and expression of them can be summed up by Mal Peet, former winner turned judge, who said: ‘I wish I'd written that!'”

The seven titles are:

Unique by Alison Allen-Gray, edited by Kathy Webb (OUP)

Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce edited by Sarah Dudman (Macmillan)

Dizzy by Cathy Cassidy edited by Rebecca McNally (Puffin Books)

Zeus on the Loose by John Dougherty edited by Sue Cook (Random House, Young Corgi)

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver edited by Fiona Kennedy (Orion)

How I live now by Meg Rosoff edited by Rebecca McNally (Puffin Books)

Last Train from Kummersdorf by Leslie Wilson edited by Suzy Jenvy (Faber)

From 2005, the BBA has received financial support from Jacqueline Wilson who says:

"I have a special affection for this prize since I was invited to be the first Author Judge in 2000. It can be such a struggle for new writers starting out that I am thrilled to be able to offer this support to a prize which can make a real difference to their prospects”.

The annual Branford Boase Award celebrates the most promising book for seven year-olds and upwards by a first-time novelist, and highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new authors. The author may have published other books in another genre - for example, poetry or a picture book - but eligibility for the prize requires that this is her or his first children’s novel. In addition to drawing attention to fresh talent in the field of children's books and encouraging publishers to find and promote new writers, the Award sets out to alert readers of all ages to the work of an interesting newcomer. The contribution of the Editor in the writing process is also acknowledged and promoted in this Award.

The Branford Boase Award was set up in memory of the outstanding children’s writer Henrietta Branford and the gifted editor, Wendy Boase, Editorial Director of Walker Books. They worked together on a number of books, a partnership they greatly enjoyed. They both died of cancer in 1999.

The winner of the 2005 Branford Boase Award will be announced on Thursday 30 June 2005.

- E N D S –

For more details, contact Mary Byrne on 0207 729 6359 or 0793 132 4855 or email: mary.byrne@virgin.net or Anne Marley on 01962 826658 or 07931 733382 or email: anne@marleyhcl.freeserve.co.uk Website: www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk

Information about the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition for young people under 18 years is also available from the website. Entrants can win the chance to meet Jacqueline Wilson and all the shortlisted authors on a trip to London to attend the Award ceremony on June 30th.

About the shortlisted books - comments from the Judges:

Unique by Alison Allen-Gray (OUP)

A gripping story of a teenage boy who discovers a photo of a young man in his grandfather’s attic who could be his identical twin – except that he is an only child. His subsequent discovery of the truth is devastating for him and the reader accompanies him on his painful and dangerous journey to discover his true self. An exciting adventure with a richness of language which flows effortlessly off the page.

Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan)

Bereft after the death of their mother, two boys lives become a rollercoaster adventure when they suddenly find they have a vast amount of money to spend in just a few days. Very funny, poignant and moving, this has all the elements of a great adventure with universal appeal.

Dizzy by Cathy Cassidy (Puffin Books)

Ever since her Mum left when she was small, Dizzy yearns for her Mum every year on her birthday. Every year, a present has turned up, but this year, Mum arrives in person, turning the safe family unit upside down. She whisks Dizzy away with little thought of the consequences of her actions. This is a tightly written, wholly believable story, striking a non-judgmental note that presents the various sides of the dilemma. Excellent characterisation in a convincing and compassionate book.

Zeus on the Loose by John Dougherty (Random House, Young Corgi)

Alex makes a temple to the Greek God, Zeus in class, little realising that the God himself will actually turn up and cause mayhem – and try to start the Trojan War in the playground. A delightfully funny and skillfully written, clever story for younger readers.

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver (Orion)

This remarkable novel takes its readers back in time to an atmospheric world of snow, hunter-gatherers, tribes, clans, mountains, forests, bears and unearthly superstitions. The sense of place and time are beautifully evoked in an extraordinarily compelling and impressively researched story, in which we join the young hero on a dangerous quest which is also his rite of passage from child to man.

How I live now by Meg Rosoff (Puffin Books)

An unwilling American in England, Daisy is drawn into the family lives of her English cousins and becomes enthralled by them, and especially with Edmond, with whom she falls passionately in love. But war abruptly destroys their country idyll, with terrifying and tragic consequences, in this story which explores the nature and power of love and loss and finally offers us a sort of redemption. Rosoff’s is a genuinely original voice.

Last Train from Kummersdorf by Leslie Wilson (Faber)

Set against the background of Nazi Germany in the final days of World War II, this is the story of Hanno, a boy on the run from invading Russians and haunted by memories of his brother's death. En route to find his remaining family in Frankfurt, he teams up with Effi, a streetwise 14-year-old, but their escape is fraught with horror, misery and danger, much of it from their own people. An exceptional tale of courage, love, desperation and the misery and horror of war which cannot fail to move any reader. Quite remarkable.