BRANFORD BOASE AWARD SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED TODAY

2 May 2008

The six shortlisted books for the 2007 Branford Boase Award are announced today. The winner of last year’s award was Siobhan Dowd, for her wonderful novel A Swift Pure Cry, which joined previous BBA winners Marcus Sedgwick and Kevin Brooks on a starry Carnegie Medal shortlist over which Meg Rosoff, also a BBA winner, ultimately triumphed. Very sadly, Siobhan Dowd died not long after receiving the Branford Boase award in circumstances which echoed those of Henrietta Branford and Wendy Boase in whose memory the prize was founded.

The judging panel, chaired by Julia Eccleshare, included Trish Beswick, Bookselling Consultant; Ian Dodds of the Youth Libraries Group; Nikki Gamble, Educational Consultant and Editor of Write Away; and Linda Buckley-Archer, author of Gideon the Cutpurse, which was Highly Commended for last year’s award.

The six books on the shortlist are:

• Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke, edited by Averil Whitehouse and published by Walker
• Nathan Fox by L Brittney, edited by Rachel Denwood and published by Macmillan
• Waves by Sharon Dogar, edited by Barry Cunningham and published by Chicken House
• Before I Die by Jenny Downham, edited by David Fickling and published by David Fickling Books
• Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi, edited by Beverly Birch and published by Hodder
• Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine, edited by Stella Paskins and published by HarperCollins

Judges comments:

Nikki Gamble: “This year a large number of books were submitted for the awards and the judges noted an increase in established adult writers producing first novels for children. These trends reflect the increased profile of children's books in the press and media as well as the commercial success. The books selected for the shortlist are marked by their distinctive voices and authentic feeling for child or teenage readers. They are accessible but explore profound themes in the context of a story well told”.

Linda Buckley-Archer: “With its aim of recognising the author of the best debut novel for children and its editor(s), The Branford Boase Award continues to highlight and promote the next generation of children’s fiction writers.   The 2008 shortlist represents some fascinating new voices across a variety of genres which are sure to excite and challenge readers.   The judges noted a tendency on this year’s longlist away from fantasy and towards history and social realism.”
 

Trish Beswick: “We were delighted to find a spread of intelligent fiction submitted, eliciting spirited discussion amid the good humour and agreements. One-size-fits-all cannot and does not belong in the world of writing for children, and the complacent and bland were quickly cast aside.  My thanks to the other judges for a booky, sparky afternoon!”

Ian Dodds: "The nominations for the 2008 Branford Boase Award yet again demonstrate the full range of new writing talent for children and young people.  All the writers on this year's shortlist have distinct voices and all are adept at creating stories that will grip, excite and challenge young readers. Good writing for young people is vitally important and this shortlist proves that." 

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 2007 Branford Boase Award will be announced at a ceremony at Walker Books on 9 July 2008.

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For more details, contact:

Mary Byrne on 0207 729 6359. Mobile: 07971 378 411.

Email: mary.byrne@virgin.net

Anne Marley on 01962 826658. Mobile: 0797 6082049.

Email: anne.marley@tiscali.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 9 July.