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The Children's Book Award - winners announcement
The Children’s Book Award 2017 winners – chosen and voted for entirely by children – are announced in a celebratory awards ceremony at the Union Jack Club, London. And former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo OBE and Michael Foreman’s An Eagle In The Snow comes 1st!
Former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo OBE and Michael Foreman are named overall winners of The Children’s Book Award 2017. Their book, An Eagle In The Snow also won the Books for Younger Readers category, before going on to win the overall prize. The win is a record-breaking fourth for Michael Morpurgo OBE.
One by Carnegie Medal-winning author Sarah Crossan wins the Books for Older Readers category and Oi Dog!, written by Kes and Claire Gray and illustrated by Jim Field is named the Books for Younger Children’s category winner.
Michael Morpurgo’s gripping and powerful novel is inspired by the true story of one man who might have stopped World War II. Set in 1940, in a train under attack from German fighters, sheltering in a tunnel, Barney and his mother are told a story by a stranger to pass the time. Brilliant and fascinating, the fast-paced storytelling is perfectly complemented by Michael Foreman’s expressive and emotive illustrations, making An Eagle In The Snow a firm favourite with the children.
The Children’s Book Award is the only national award for children’s books that is voted for entirely by children. It is owned and coordinated by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups and is highly respected by teachers, parents and librarians. It has brought acclaim and strong sales to past winners such as J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness, Andy Stanton, Malorie Blackman, Anthony Horowitz and Michael Morpurgo, who has won a record four times. The award has often been the first to recognise the future stars of children’s fiction and has the ability to turn popular authors into bestsellers.
A dedicated website www.fcbg.org.uk/childrens-book-award/ showcases all the shortlisted titles and featured authors.
The Rail Delivery Group has kindly provided free train travel for all the children and accompanying adults attending the ceremony from across the country.
The full shortlist for the Children’s Book Award 2017 is as follows:
Books for Younger Children
Chicken Nugget, Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Tom McLaughlin, published by Puffin
Oi Dog!, Kes Gray and Claire Gray and illustrated by Jim Field, published by Hodder Children’s Books
Grandad's Island, Benji Davies, published by Simon and Schuster
Gracie Grabbit and the Tiger, Helen Stephens, published by Scholastic
Books for Younger Readers
The Accidental Pirates (Voyage to Magical North), Claire Fayers, published by Macmillan Children’s Books
An Eagle in the Snow Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman published by HarperCollins Children’s Books
The Jam Doughnut that Ruined my Life Mark Lowery, illustrated by Hannah Shaw, published by Piccadilly
Books for Older Readers
One Sarah Crossan, published by Bloomsbury
Car-Jacked Ali Sparkes, published by OUP
Mistletoe and Murder, Robin Stevens, published by Penguin Random House
Jane Etheridge, Chair of The Federation of Children’s Book Groups say ‘At a time when libraries are closing around the country, the Children’s Book Award is more important than ever because it gives children access to new books. The shortlist demonstrates the rich choice of books available today and, in winning, Michael Morpurgo has demonstrated once again that he is a truly magical storyteller.’
For more information, visit www.fcbg.org.uk