Top children's books chosen

Scottish youngsters have begun deliberations following the announcement of the nine shortlisted titles for the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books, managed by BRAW (Books Reading And Writing) and supported by the Scottish Arts Council.

The shortlisted titles, all of which were published in 2005 by authors or illustrators born or resident in Scotland, were chosen by a panel of experts from the realms of literature and education. The books will be read by young people in reading groups at schools, libraries and bookshops across Scotland during this year’s autumn school term, with the children themselves voting for their favourite book thereafter. The winners of the £1,000 awards will be announced at an awards ceremony in November.

A book review competition for children will run concurrently, with prizes awarded to the best reviews of shortlisted titles, including a prize for the best review in Gaelic. Reviews will be posted on the BRAW website throughout the judging process, during which time all shortlisted titles will be available at a special 20% discount rate from Scotia and Chameleon Books in Glasgow.
The shortlisted titles are divided into three age-group categories:

Early years (0-7 years)

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Little Lost Cowboy by Simon Puttock and Caroline Jayne Church
The Sea Mice and the Stars by Kenneth Steven and Louise Ho

Younger readers (8-12 years)

Deep Water by Debi Gliori
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
The Sign of the Black Dagger by Joan Lingard

Older readers (13-16 years)

The Drowning Pond by Catherine Forde
Green Jasper by KM Grant
Roxy’s Baby by Catherine MacPhail