Young readers to vote for their favourite book

YOUNG readers are to have their own say in the country’s longest-running awards for children’s books this year.

A Children’s Choice award has been added to celebrate the 20th year of the Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Awards, for which a 10-book shortlist was announced yesterday.

Among the nominated titles are two Irish language books, three by authors writing for children or teenagers (Bob Burke, John Connolly and Kieran Mark Crowley), for the first time and three previous winners of the competition (Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Jane Mitchell and the late Siobhán Dowd, who passed away in 2007).

For the Children’s Choice Award, a series of junior juries will be established around the country to read all the shortlisted books and select their favourite.

“With the introduction of this award, we are giving a voice to the children’s vote and will recognise their favourite,” said Sean Brett, marketing controller of sponsors Premier Foods Ireland.

Judging panel chairwoman Máire Uí Mhaicín said the variety of books shortlisted will ensure satisfying reading material for readers of different ages, interests and reading levels.

“This year’s shortlist provides challenging and entertaining reading material, with works spanning the ranges of fantasy, mystery, folklore and the gritty realities being endured by young people as they cope with life changes,” she said.

Previous winners have included John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, subsequently adapted into an award-winning film, and Marita Conlon McKenna’s The Blue Horse.

The winner of the 2010 awards will be announced at a reception in Dublin on May 24.