THE FOYLE YOUNG POETS AWARD

Any writer between the ages of 11 and 17 (inc.) can enter. Poets can enter as many poems as they choose, of any length and on any theme. Competition entries cannot be returned so please make sure you keep copies. The closing date is 31 July 2006.

Prizes include books, plus free youth membership of the Poetry Society, poet visits for your school and the prize-winners' writing course at the Arvon Centre Lumb Bank, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire in February 2007.

Further details at www.foyleyoungpoets.org

Poems by the Foyle Young Poets of the Year 2005 are available in an attractive slim paperback anthology When the thunder woke me - email fyp@poetrysociety.org.uk for details.

Celebrating Children's Books 2006 Calendar

Carousel published this calendar to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the magazine and to raise money for Lupus UK. A cheque for £6245 was presented to Lupus on Saturday 25 March. A goodly sum and thanks to all those involved whether as purchasers, publishers, illustrators or those on Carousel who organised the whole thing. A very worth while exercise, and an excellent calendar too!

JEREMY STRONG

Congratulations to Jeremy Strong who has won the first ever Manchester Book Award with his novel for teenagers Stuff (published by Puffin £4.99). You can read an article in issue 30 of Carousel (Summer 2005) about the author and this very novel. If you haven't a copy ring the Carousel office on 0121 622 7458 and order a copy of this issue, or better still subscribe to the magazine!

Henrietta Branford Writing Competition

If you enjoy writing and are aged 18 or under why not enter the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition. The prize includes a trip to London to meet Jacqueline Wilson (Children's Laureatge) togehter with the authors shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award which celebrates new children's writers.

To enter you need to log on to www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk to finish the story that Meg Rosoff, last year's BBA winner, has started on the website. Your story must be no more than 1500 words. Closing date for entries Friday 26 May 2006.

And don't forget for younger (much younger) readers the Carousel/Spot competition, just click on the Carousel home page to go to the competition. Closing date 7 April.

2005 Berkshire Book Award

This prize has involved over 50 schools across the county with pupils aged between 11 and 14 in reading and reviewing the six short-listed titles details www.berkshire-els.gov.uk/bba Voking took place in early March and the winner has just been announced - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K.Rowling.