About the Carnegie Medal
Every year the search begins for the writer who will be awarded this most treasured prize for children's books. The Carnegie Medal is awarded to the writer of book for children of outstanding literary quality. It is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) who set up the award in 1935 in memory of the Scottish philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. Books are nominated by children's librarians. They are read and assessed and the longlist of about 30 books was announced at the beginning of the year. The shortlist has just been announced and the winning title will be announced at a prestigious ceremony in London on Thursday 25 June.
The Shortlist
Growing up is hard to do...
This year, the CILIP Carnegie Medal shortlist brings together seven outstanding ‘rites of passage’ novels, particularly as experienced by teenage boys.
The books employ a breadth of styles from the comic novel to fantasy fiction, historical adventure to contemporary gritty realism, with widely diverging periods and settings. The writing moves from imaginary islands off 19th century Ireland to contemporary Liverpool, and from 1980s Ulster to a future time on another planet.
“What really stands out in all the novels on our shortlist is the capacity of each author, in their very different ways to empathise with young people, and really get inside their heads. Each book lays bare the thorny process of turning from child to adult and the moral dilemmas, ambivalent relationships and confusing feelings that characterise the business of growing up. These are characters young readers will identify with and books that really do have the power to influence young lives,” comments Joy Court, Chair of the 2009 Judging Panel.
The CILIP Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2009
BOYCE, FRANK COTTRELL - COSMIC 8+
Liam is too big for his boots, his football strip, and his school blazer. But being super-sized height-wise has its advantages: he's the only eleven-year-old to ever ride the G-force defying Cosmic rollercoaster or be offered the chance to drive a Porsche. Liam makes a giant leap for boy-kind by competing with a group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best boy for the job? Sometimes being big isn't all about being a grown-up.
BROOKS, KEVIN - BLACK RABBIT SUMMER 14+
Pete Boland was busy doing nothing that summer. Long, stiflingly hot, lazy days stretched ahead of him. Then she called. 'Listen, Pete ...you know that funfair, up at the recreation ground ...I thought we could all meet up ...You know, for old times' sake.' But, where there are old times, there are old tensions. And as secrets, bitterness and jealousies resurface, five old friends are plunged into the worst night of their lives...Teenage readers will find it impossible to tear themselves away from this dark, tense and gripping new novel.
COLFER, EOIN - AIRMAN 9+
Conor Broekhart was born to fly. Or, more accurately, he was born flying. Little wonder he became what he became. In an age of discovery and invention, many dreamed of flying, but for Conor flight was more than just a dream, it was his destiny. In one dark night on the island of Great Saltee, a cruel and cunning betrayal destroyed his life and stole his future. Now Conor must win the race for flight, to save his family and to right a terrible wrong... This is swashbuckling new fiction from the amazing Eoin Colfer, ideal for readers aged 10+.
DOWD, SIOBHAN - BOG CHILD 12+
Digging for peat in the mountain with his Uncle Tally, Fergus finds the body of a child, and it looks like she's been murdered. As Fergus tries to make sense of the mad world around him - his brother on hunger-strike in prison, his growing feelings for Cora, his parents arguing over the Troubles, and him in it up to the neck, blackmailed into acting as courier to God knows what, a little voice comes to him in his dreams, and the mystery of the bog child unfurls. "Bog Child" is an astonishing novel exploring the sacrifices made in the name of peace, and the unflinching strength of the human spirit.
GRAY, KEITH - OSTRICH BOYS 12+
It's not really kidnapping, is it? He'd have to be alive for it to be proper kidnapping.' Kenny, Sim and Blake are about to embark on a remarkable journey of friendship. Stealing the urn containing the ashes of their best friend Ross, they set out from Cleethorpes to travel the 261 miles to the tiny hamlet of Ross in Dumfries and Galloway. After a depressing and dispiriting funeral they feel taking Ross to Ross will be a fitting memorial for a 15 year-old boy who changed all their lives through his friendship. Little do they realise just how much Ross can still affect life for them even though he's now dead. An extraordinary novel about friendship, loss and suicide, and about the good things that may be waiting just out of sight around the corner ...
NESS, PATRICK - THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO 14+
This is an unflinching novel about the impossible choices of growing up, by an award-winning writer. Imagine you're the only boy in a town of men. And you can hear everything they think. And they can hear everything you think. Imagine you don't fit in with their plans... Todd Hewitt is just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man. But his town has been keeping secrets from him. Secrets that are going to force him to run...
THOMPSON, KATE - CREATURE OF THE NIGHT 14+
I could hear Dennis talking to my ma. 'She was little,' he said. 'Little like me. But old. Older than you. Those words gave me a cold shock. I could see Dennis imagining fairies, but old ones? When Bobby's mother moves the family into a rented house in the country, a neighbour tells him that a child was once murdered there. Bobby doesn't care. All he wants is to get back to Dublin and to resume his wild life there, stealing from the crowded shopping streets and racing stolen cars at night. But getting his old life back doesn't turn out to be so easy, and the longer he spends in the old cottage, the more convinced he becomes that something very strange is going on there. Was there really a murder? And if so, was it the one he has been told about?
The Shadowing Scheme
This year’s Carnegie shadowersShadowing the Carnegie has become an annual event in Abingdon School Library's calendar. The shadowing scheme involves a group of Lower School boys who:
- read the shortlisted titles during the same period as the national judges
- meet regularly to discuss and assess them by the same criteria
- write reviews and post them on CILIP's website
In doing so, they take part in a national scheme which this year involved over 30,000 school children. Locally, they have the opportunity to be involved in the 'Abingdon Forum' with five other Abingdon schools who meet to discuss the shortlist and finally to vote for their winner.
To read Abingdon School's reviews, go to http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/
Click on Shadowing groups> The Postroom> Search review by reading group> A> Abingdon School.
The Art department through the 4th year (year10) graphics set is also shadowing the Kate Greenaway medal, given for the best illustrated children's book. Details can be found here.
Benefits of the Scheme
- It gives the boys an opportunity to try new authors and genres
- They can read the new titles before they are available to others in the school.
- It broadens their experience of what makes a 'good read', refining reviewing skills.
- They have the chance to meet with members of other schools involved (Fitzharry's, John Mason, Larkmead, Our Lady's Convent, and St Helens), which serves to widen the discussions.
Above all it achieves the main aim TO ENCOURAGE READING FOR PLEASURE.
