Manchester Book Award facts for kids
The Manchester Book Award is a special project in Manchester, UK. It celebrates amazing books for young people. The Manchester Library & Information Service helps organize it. This award encourages kids to read and discover new stories.
Each year, a big list of twenty-four children's books is made. These books are suggested by students, school staff, library staff, and publishers. To be chosen, books must be new stories (not sequels) published between July 1st and June 30th. The authors must live in the UK.
Reading groups in schools and libraries then pick the best six books for a shorter list. In January, young people across Manchester begin voting for their favorite book. They can vote online or at libraries and schools. For example, voting for the 2009 award ended on March 5th.
The winner of the award is announced every year at a special party. This party takes place at the City of Manchester Stadium. Students from 24 secondary schools in Manchester attend the event. In 2008 and 2009, Paul Sleem hosted the ceremony. In 2009, Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh announced the winner on March 11th.
Award Winners
Here are the books that have won the Manchester Book Award:
- 2009 Six Steps to a Girl by Sophie McKenzie
- 2008 Girl, Missing by Sophie McKenzie
- 2007 Beast by Ally Kennen
- 2006 Stuff by Jeremy Strong
Past Winners and Shortlisted Books
This table shows the winners and the books that made it to the shortlist each year.
| Year | Author | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Jeremy Strong | Stuff | Winner |
| Joe Craig | Jimmy Coates: Killer | Shortlist | |
| Joseph Delaney | The Spook's Apprentice | Shortlist | |
| Catherine MacPhail | Roxy's Baby | Shortlist | |
| Michelle Paver | Wolf Brother | Shortlist | |
| Benjamin Zephaniah | Gangsta Rap | Shortlist | |
| 2007 | Ally Kennen | Beast | Winner |
| Helen Dunmore | Ingo | Shortlist | |
| Catherine Forde | The Drowning Pond | Shortlist | |
| Alan Gibbons | Hold On | Shortlist | |
| Nigel Hinton | Until Proven Guilty | Shortlist | |
| Nicky Singer | The Innocent's Story | Shortlist | |
| 2008 | Sophie McKenzie | Girl, Missing | Winner |
| Kevin Brooks | Being | Shortlist | |
| David Gilman | The Devil's Breath: Danger Zone | Shortlist | |
| Graham Joyce | Do The Creepy Thing | Shortlist | |
| Ally Kennen | Berserk | Shortlist | |
| Catherine MacPhail | Nemesis | Shortlist | |
| 2009 | Sophie McKenzie | Six Steps to a Girl | Winner |
| Anne Cassidy | Forget Me Not | Shortlist | |
| J. A. Henderson | Crash | Shortlist | |
| Eva Ibbotson | The Dragonfly Pool | Shortlist | |
| Sally Nicholls | Ways to Live Forever | Shortlist | |
| Sarah Singleton | The Amethyst Child | Shortlist |
