Reading for pleasure and creative writing is thriving in Redbridge schools. On Thursday 25 June 2015, around 200 young readers, budding writers and their school librarians and teachers celebrated this year’s Redbridge Children’s Book Awards in a vibrant, exciting ceremony at Redbridge Town Hall.
Students from 14 secondary schools and 9 primary schools across Redbridge and Newham voted for their favourite children’s and teenage book published in 2014.
The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra, won the Children’s category and We Were Liars by E Lockhart won the Teenage Category.
We were delighted to have six of the shortlisted authors, Sita Brahmachri, Kevin Brooks, Keren David, A.F. Harrold, Polly Ho-Yen and Bali Rai, attend. They answered varied questions from eager students and signed copies of their books. Emily Lockhart, who was unable to attend, sent a message saying “I am honoured and happy. Libraries have been my home since childhood and they are home to so many children and teens. Long may we all read and share and celebrate books.”
It was also a chance for the winners of the writing and poetry competitions to be presented with their prizes by the Mayor, Cllr Barbara White. The poetry competition was judged by David Fulton, lecturer in Creative Writing at Brunel University and the short story competition was judged by author and Head of Bancrofts Prep School, Joe Layburn.
Esther Ukhueleigbe from Ray Lodge Primary School won the years 6 and 7 poetry competition with her poem, Make it Green. Kanishk Panchal from The Palmer Academy, Ilford won the year 8 and above category with the poem Our Cursed Elements.
Jessica Johnson from Wanstead High School won the years 6 and 7 short story competition with her story, My Father, The Woman. Freddie Cochran from Wanstead High School won year 8 and above category with his story, The Shirt. Winners were presented with a book token, a fiction book and a copy of this year’s anthology of all shortlisted poems and stories.
Our thanks to everyone who attended, especially the authors who gave up their time to be present and who made the afternoon so special, students and teachers who participated so enthusiastically and most of all, the Redbridge Schools’ Library Service team who worked very hard behind the scenes to ensure the afternoon was such a success.
The book award is organised by Redbridge Schools’ Library Service and sponsored by MLS (Micro Librarian Systems).
Nina Simon
Manager Redbridge Schools’ Library Service
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