17 June 2019
Eighteen first and second year students joined forces with more than 80 students from six other local schools to decide the best children's book of the year. This was our best ever showing for the annual Abingdon Schools Joint Carnegie Forum, a major event in the local literary calendar, now in its 19th consecutive year.
Working with students from other schools, Abingdon boys helped devise and perform three-minute dramas to promote their favourite book from the shortlist for this year's Carnegie medal, the UK's most prestigious award for children's literature.
Judges from the local literary community, including acclaimed author Nicki Thornton, awarded a range of prizes, which were given out by the Mayor of Abingdon. Sam Siriwardene received an award for best individual contributor to a group, and Harry Vinall was highly commended for his review of A Skinful of Shadows by Francis Hardinge.
Prior to the Forum, the 18 Abingdon students spent three months reading, reviewing and discussing the eight books shortlisted for this year's Carnegie medal, the UK's oldest award for children's literature.
