The Queen’s Knickers Award – founded by Nicholas Allan and part of the Society of Authors’ Awards – will recognise an outstanding original illustrated book for ages 0-7 that strike a quirky, new note and grabs the attention of a child, whether this be in the form of curiosity, amusement, horror or excitement.

The new award has been established by Nicholas Allen and named after one of his best-know titles. The the inaugural winner – in 2020 – will receive £5,000, as well as a golden Queen’s Knickers badge, as depicted in Nicholas Allan’s original book. The runner-up will receive £1,000 and a silvered badge.

Nicholas Allen hopes the Award will encourage a sense of fun: “I want to encourage authors and illustrators to take more risks and have more fun. The name of the award reflects how I felt when I began writing the book from which the name is taken. I started it purely for fun, without any sense of plot, moral, purpose – in fact, without sense, and maintained it to the end.”

The work may be any combination or words and/or pictures, or just pictures – and in any physical format including, pop-ups, flap books, and board books. The work must have been first published in the UK and Republic of Ireland between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019. There is no submission fee.

The Queen’s Knickers Award is open for entries until 15 November 2019.

https://www.societyofauthors.org/News/News/2019/July/Queens-Knickers-Award-celebrates-quirky-kids-books

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The winner of the 2019 Branford Boase Award for outstanding debut novel for children is Muhammad Khan for his YA novel I Am Thunder.

Born in Balham, Muhammad Khan studied engineering, but then trained as a teacher.  After publication of I Am Thunder in 2018, he studied for an MA in Creative Writing at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. He is now teaching maths at a secondary school in Sutton.  His second novel, Kick the Moon, was published in January 2019.

Like his character Muzna, Muhammad Khan grew up in South London, and his parents are first generation immigrants from Pakistan. Like Muzna, he always knew he wanted to be a writer, though his family were determined he should be an engineer. But he says that Muzna is primarily based on his young students. In fact: “virtually every character in the book has a real-life counterpart”. 

With only 4% of all the children’s books published in the UK last year featuring a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) character*,  Muhammad was determined to give his students a voice through his character. Muzna’s life as a young Muslim woman is vividly described, while her teenage experience is something that everyone will relate to, whatever their background.

I Am Thunder chronicles the radicalisation of a young Muslim girl growing up in London, the choices she is presented with, and how she develops the confidence to make her own decisions. Muhammad Khan was prompted to write the book by the news that three Bethnal Green schoolgirls had flown to Syria to join the Islamic State group. 

Mitch Johnson, last year’s Branford Boase Award winner says of the book: “The sensitivity with which Khan handles such a volatile and emotive subject is astounding, and his ability to create a story that is both gripping and tender is hugely impressive.”

Judge Sanchita Basu de Sarkar of the Children’s Bookshop Muswell Hill says: “Khan’s acute portrayal of Muzna captures both the joy and turbulence of being a teenage girl. His dialogue is fresh, and funny, and keeps the story zipping along, even when the characters are filled with uncertainty. The balance of culture, religion, and following one’s heart have rarely been depicted with such nuance.”

Coincidentally, Helen Cleaves, one of the three school librarians shortlisted for the 2019 School Librarian Award, chose this title as the one she has been most frequently recommending: “I defy anyone to read this stunning debut and not be moved by this powerful coming-of-age thriller that the author, a Maths teacher in South London, felt compelled to write when three British schoolgirls from Bethnal Green flew out to Syria to join IS in 2015. Muzna is a truly unforgettable character – funny, fierce and vulnerable – and, as a multi-dimensional Muslim teenager who dreams of being a writer, a vital foil to today’s relentless Islamophobia and agenda of ‘othering’ by those determined toset us against one another. She is also the much-needed voice of a teenage experience that is seriously under-represented in books. I have recommended I am Thunder to students and grown-ups of all ages: not only is it a compelling story of friendship dilemmas, teen rebellion and first love, but by shattering stereotypes and showing how easily teenagers may become radicalised, it invites empathy and seeks to connect, as all the best books do.”

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Branford Boase Award was set up in memory of outstanding author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase of Walker Books, who both died in 1999, and is unique in honouring editor as well as author. It is regarded as one of the most important children’s book awards, thanks to its impressive record in identifying authors with special talent at the start of their careers: previous winners include Frances Hardinge, Marcus Sedgwick, Meg Rosoff and Mal Peet.

Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare, children’s director Hay Festival, said, “2019 is the 20^th anniversary of the Branford Boase Award. It has celebrated wonderful books and authors over the years, and we are very proud of all that it has achieved in highlighting new writers and the editors who help them develop their potential.  We’re delighted that I Am Thunder has won this year.  Muhammad Khan is giving voice to those we haven’t heard from enough and his story will ring true with readers of any background.  As demonstrated so brilliantly in her book Fire, Bed and Bone, Henrietta Branford also gave voice to those whose stories need to be told, and was happy to pose questions about politics and society in thrilling adventure stories.  We look forward to reading more by Muhammad, and all the writers on this shortlist, and to twenty more years celebrating the exciting new talent in children’s books.”

Winning editor Lucy Pearse said: ‘It was a real honour to see I Am Thunder included on this incredible shortlist, and a complete pinch-yourself moment for it to be selected as the winner.  Muhammad deserves this award so much – it is a brave and important book and he has worked enormously hard – and I feel privileged to have been part of its publishing story. Each book on this shortlist is a spectacular achievement and I feel very lucky to be working among such talented authors and editors.’  

Lucy Pearse began her career assisting children’s agents and quickly moved over to the publishing side as a PA and then an editorial assistant. She has been working as an editor at Macmillan Children’s Books for nearly four years, was selected as a Bookseller Rising Star in 2018 and promoted to Senior Commissioning Editor for the 6+ team in 2019, working on illustrated young fiction, middle-grade and YA. 

This year the judges were 

• Sanchita Basu De Sarkar of the Children’s Bookshop, Muswell Hill
• Ellen Krajewski, librarian at Hemel Hempstead School, Hertfordshire
• Louise Johns-Shepherd, chief executive of CLPE
• Mitch Johnson, author of Kick, winner of the 2018 Branford Boase Award.

The panel was chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children’s director of the Hay Festival.

The 2019 winners of the Award were announced on Thursday 27 June at a ceremony at Walker Books in London which was attended by previous winners including Kevin Brooks,, Marcus Sedgwick, M.G. Leonard, Dave Shelton, and Lucy Christopher.

Mitch Johnson presented Muhammad Khan with a cheque for £1,000 and Muhammad and Lucy Pearse both received a unique, hand-crafted silver-inlaid box.

Ros Harding
The Kings School, Chester

The School Library Association – which is a body committed to supporting everyone involved with school libraries, promoting high quality reading and learning opportunities for all – created the School Librarian of the Year Award in 2004, at the suggestion of Aidan Chambers and in response to the need for recognition of the excellent work that is carried out in school libraries every day. Nominees do not need to be members of the SLA, and may be from any phase of education.

The three shortlisted librarians were:

Ros Harding – The King’s School Chester @KSCLibrarian

Chantal Kelleher – Herne Bay High School 

Helen Cleaves – Kingston Grammar School

Sue Bastone, Chair of Selection Panel, said the field this year was stronger than ever. 

There were short video presentations from each of the Honour librarian schools:

Sue described Helen Cleaves as a ‘human dynamo’ who, amongst many other initiatives, established the school’s first poet laureate. Her headteacher says, “When Helen comes to me with a proposal she’s already thought it through thoroughly.’

Ros, we were told, has established a school book award. “All involved with the school were keen to talk about her with the selection panel.”

Chantal’s library is a vibrant and exciting place. She was described as, “An incredibly modest person who is rightfully proud of her library. She carries out her role with quiet effciency. She makes what she does look effortless.”

The invited guests were treated to an Alice in Wonderland themed tea:

 

Chris Riddell, President of the Association, and Sara Barnard, YA author, delivered warmup talks before the announcement of the winner (Riddell remembering librarians and the lost loves of his youth and Barnard recalling her own experience of libraries as a teenager).

And Sara then announced Ros Harding as School Librarian of the Year 2019.

History made:

1st black winner of Carnegie Medal

1st time both the Carnegie and Greenaway winning titles have been written in verse

1st time Shadowers’ Choice has been presented as a separate award and first time they have _both_ been in sync with the adult judging panel

By 11:45 invited guests were crowding into the British Library Knowledge Theatre and sinking into the plush soft green seats ready for the midday announcement.

There was David Roberts in a bright pink suit; there was Jake Hope in a bright orange shirt; there was me all in black, with the gruff voice of Klaus Flugge behind me, reserved seats for the Shadowing groups in front.

In the gangway to my left the tall figure of Kwame Alexander was being introduced to a schoolgirl fan (and fellow writer)… “As soon as I started Rebound I couldn’t stop…”

I was wondering if I’d bump into either Charlotte Eyre or Fiona Noble, with whom I’d had a (very mini) Twitter debate while on  the train en route to the venue – concerning  the mindset in children’s books that says, Only positive reviews allowed because space is so limited.

Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust, came striding in at the very last minute, in tightly buttoned light grey summer jacket. The female event photographer had two full-size bodies both with telephoto lenses and flashhead around her neck.  Two umbrella stands were at the side ready for formal shots later on.

At 11:58 the stage lights went on, and the doors closed. Librarians keep things tight. The event was being livestreamed online.

Nick Poole, chief exec of CILIP, looking a lot like Labour deputy leader Tom Watson before he went on his diet,  acknowledged the “fantastic expectant hush”.

“Our aim is to build a nation of readers,” he declared, before lamenting that in the last eight  years 10% of libraries and almost a quarter of librarians had been lost.

There was a big round of applause (of course)  when he said that a librarian should be at the heart of every school and community. Anne Fine, talking to me later, said (as a general observation, not apropos of any particular speaker) there was a danger, at events of this kind, of speakers repeating similar sentiments, preaching to the converted.

There were huge heartfelt cheers when Joy Court was given a public thank you for all her work.

The official MC was Konnie Huq, longest serving female Blue Peter presenter 1997 -2008 and soon-to-be children’s author herself, having signed a 3 book deal for a children’s series with Piccadilly Press, the first title of which, Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World, is due in February next year.  Huq was co-writer of the second instalment of the Channel 4 series Black Mirror.

After a short speech from 17-year-old Serena Jemmett, youth activist for Amnesty, on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, we were shown two videos created by Shadowing Students and their schools. There was some particularly impressive artwork inspired by the Greenaway shortlisted books. The short film was a vivid illustration of how inspired teaching can make use of picture books as a springboard for creativity.

2019 chair of judges Alison Brumwell thanked her (very) predominantly female judging team, and included tributes to the recently departed John Burningham and Judith Kerr.

For the first time this year the Shadowers Choices in both categories were publicly announced and presented. The Shadowers’ Choice Award  is a new award that has evolved out of CILIP’s recent Diversity Review, which identified opportunities to empower and celebrate the young people involved in the Medals through the shadowing scheme by giving them a more significant voice and visible presence in the process and prize giving.

First up was the Shadowers’ Greenaway Choice, which went to Jackie Morris for Lost Words.

The actual Greenaway Medal was also awarded to Jackie Morris.

“We had the most amazing publisher, Simon Prosser at Hamish Hamilton,” she said. He saw the message value in the book. “Too often with books it’s the marketing department that comes in too early,” she added. 

She also praised the book’s “most brilliant designer” Alison O’Toole.

Jackie Morris grew up in the Vale of Evesham and studied at Hereford College of Arts and at Bath Academy. She has illustrated for the New Statesman, Independent and Guardian, has collaborated with Ted Hughes, and has written & illustrated over forty books children’s including beloved classics such as Song of the Golden Hare, Tell Me A Dragon, East of the Sun, West of the Moon and The Wild Swans. Jackie Morris lives in a cottage on the cliffs of Pembrokeshire.

The Shadowers Carnegie Choice was Elizabeth Acevedo for The Poet X, and lo and behold the same author had been chosen by the main judging group.

It is the first time in the Medals history that both winning titles have been written in verse: in The Poet X, in verse influenced by slam poetry; in The Lost Words, in the form of spells. Only one verse novel has previously won the Carnegie Medal: Sarah Crossan’s One, in 2016.

Receiving the Carnegie Medal 2019, Acevedo said, “I was not sure this story was going to have a global reach. I taught 8th grade literature in a school; that was 78% latino American. They had never had someone from the same cultural background teaching them. They had 6th grade reading levels, two years behind.

“I was 22 yrs old and didn’t know how to teach them to read.”

She mentioned one student, a girl with a quick tongue. “I could not affirm that slick mouth and would have to say to her ‘that’s really inappropriate’ whilst at the same time thinking ‘you’re so witty and if I was your age I would be your best friend.'”

When she asked this girl why she wasn’t reading, she was told “The books just ain’t about us.”

So Acevedo selected as many books as she could find that the girl would be able to identify with. She read them all, one after the other, and asked for more. “I said that’s my whole teacher budget.” In fact, she’d used up all the books she could think of.

Elizabeth Acevedo is the first black (Afro-Dominican) writer to have won the Carnegie Medal. She was born and raised in New York City and her poetry is infused with Dominican bolero and her city’s tough grit. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. With over twelve years of performance experience, Acevedo has been a featured performer on BET and Mun2, as well as delivered several TED Talks. She has performed internationally, and she has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Elle, HuffPost and Teen Vogue. Acevedo is a National Slam Champion, Beltway Grand Slam Champion, and the 2016 Women of the World Poetry Slam representative for Washington, D.C, where she lives and works.