Ealing Readers' Award 2013

Our School hosted this year's Ealing Readers' Award - students from nine Ealing Schools met to make their presentations and to vote for their choice of the best book published for young readers in 2012 from the shortlisted books.

We had to clear the stacks to make space for everyone and our wonderful caretakers found us 40 extra chairs so that we could give everyone a seat. The Library becomes very spacious once the stacks are shifted - though it does reduce choice. Borrowers could have any book they wanted as long as the author's name began with an 'M'. 


We were extremely fortunate in having Geraldine McCaughrean as our keynote speaker  for this event. She not only inspired us about writing but also was jolly good fun! (One of her books is on our Y6 incoming booklist - it is an excellent story with a superb twist. Look out for The Positively Last Performance.)

The shortlist for ERA was interesting; two Jacqueline Wilson books, Emerald Star and Four Children and It, Cathy Cassidy's Summer Dream, Morris Gleitzman's After, Charlie Higson's The Sacrifice, Jeff Kinney's The Third Wheel, Sophie McKenzie's Missing Me, Robert Muchamore's Guardian Angel, and David Walliams' Ratburger. 

The winner was Missing Me by Sophie McKenzie - a refreshing choice as the other writers have been shortlisted before. The cheer that went up when the winner was announced was a joy to hear. It is a fast-paced story that is about convoluted family ties and child surrogacy.
Close runners up were Charlie Higson's The Sacrifice and David Walliams' Ratburger.

Geraldine's latest book