Surrey readers to vote for favourite book of 2009 (From Elmbridge Guardian)

Surrey readers to vote for favourite book of 2009

11:26am Monday 21st December 2009

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Youngsters can vote for their favourite read in Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award 2010.

A shortlist of six books has been drawn up including tales of secret agents, sea captains and birdmen.

Children can borrow the books from their local library and then vote for their favourites online or by filling in a voting slip at the library.

The contest has been organised by Surrey County Council and is sponsored by the University of Surrey English Department which will host the award ceremony on March 24 during the Children’s Book Festival 2010.

Children are welcome to write reviews of the books they have read which can be put online. Youngsters have until February 28 to read the them and cast their votes.

Budding writers aged six to 12-years-old can also enter the Children’s Book Award creative writing competition by penning a 500-word story based on characters from at least two of the short-listed books.

The winner will receive a signed set of the books and get the chance to meet the authors. Children can enter as many stories as they like.

Entries for the creative writing competition must be submitted by January 31.

Denise Saliagopoulos, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for community services aid: “The book award is a great way to encourage children to discover the magic of reading, especially over the Christmas holidays which is the perfect time to immerse themselves in exciting stories when it’s cold and wet outside.”

Details on the book award, how to vote, the writing competition and book festival can be found on the Surrey County Council web site at www.surreycc.gov.uk/kidstuff Stories should include the child’s name, age and a parent’s contact details. They can be emailed to libraries.cyp@surreycc.gov.uk or posted to CYP Team, Chertsey Library, Guildford Street, Chertsey KT16 9BE.

The shortlist: My Dad's a Birdman by David Almond Hero and the Sinking Ships by Richard Hamilton Night Flight by Michaela Morgan Falcon's Fury by Andrew Fusek Peters Thunder Raker by Justin Richards Mr Gum and Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton

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