PHILIP PULLMAN SUPPORTS PRIZE FOR DEBUT FICTION

BRANFORD BOASE AWARD: WINNER ANNOUNCED

Before I Die by Jenny Downham, edited by David Fickling and published by David Fickling Books, has won the Branford Boase Award, awarded for an outstanding debut novel for children. Managing to be both heart breaking and life-affirming, it is the story of a girl trying desperately to fit a life time of experiences into the few weeks left before she dies. For David Fickling, it is two winners in a row, with A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd having taken the prize last year.

Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine, edited by Stella Paskins at Harper Collins, was Highly Commended.

Philip Pullman presented Jenny Downham with her award (a cheque for £1000 and a hand crafted silver-inlaid box) at the ceremony, hosted by Walker Books at 6.30pm on Wednesday 9th July. The glittering line up of past winners, many of whom attended, includes Meg Rosoff and Mal Peet, both of whom have gone on to win the Carnegie medal.

Philip Pullman observed of the winner: “Before I  Die is a truly remarkable book, and one that shows that as well as being  able to pick authors of startling and undeniable talent, David Fickling has  lost none of the enormous tact and skill that makes him such a fine editor. I  very much look forward to seeing what Jenny Downham goes on to write next – as well, of course, as seeing what David Fickling discovers!”

David Fickling’s enthusiastic response was “Winning The Branford Boase once was a great honour. Winning it twice in a row, this time with Jenny, has left me nearly speechless. I love this award because it recognises the finest of our new writers for young children and in my view is chosen by people I deeply respect according to criteria which my own publishing heart responds to (if publishers can be said to have a heart!). Jenny Downham’s book is an absolute wonder and Jenny herself a real writer. You could say she sprang into our midst like Athena from the head of Zeus, at any rate, one moment she wasn’t there and then suddenly there she was on our children’s book Mount Olympus!”

Jenny Downham’s reaction on hearing the good news: “I am deeply moved to have won the Branford Boase Award.  For any children’s novelist whose first book is out there in the world, but whose next is still only half-realised, it provides an enormous confidence boost.   Unique in honouring the author/editor relationship, this award is also a tribute to David Fickling - a sensitive and energetic champion.   He tells me, ‘I believe in you, keep going.’   This award seconds that in the most wonderful way possible.”

Jenny Downham, David Fickling and Philip Pullman are all available for selected interviews. Please contact: Mary Byrne m:07971 378 411, t:0207 729 6359 or email mary.byrne@virgin.net.

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 shortlist:

• 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

• 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

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 winning author receives a cheque for £1000, and both author and editor receive a handcrafted hardwood box in the shape of a book, inlaid in silver with the Branford Boase logo.

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.

Philip Pullman also presented prizes to six children, winners of the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition. Further information on this can be found on www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk

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Publicity pictures and author biography available on request. For more details, or to arrange interviews, please contact Mary Byrne on 0207 729 6359 or 07971 378 411 or email: mary.byrne@virgin.net or Anne Marley on anne.marley@tiscali.co.uk. Website: www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk