BRANFORD BOASE AWARD: SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

The 2010 shortlist for the Branford Boase Award is announced. The Award is given annually to the author of an outstanding debut novel for children.
The books on the shortlist are:
Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda, edited by Lindsey Heaven (Puffin)
Stolen by Lucy Christopher, edited by Imogen Cooper (Chicken House)
Life, Interrupted by Damian Kelleher, edited by Anne Clark (Piccadilly Press)
Guantanamo Boy by Anna Perera, edited by Shannon Park (Puffin)
Big and Clever by Dan Tunstall, edited by Ross Bradshaw (Five Leaves)
Numbers by Rachel Ward, edited by Imogen Copper (Chicken House)
Paradise Barn by Victor Watson, edited by Leonie Pratt (Catnip)
The Branford Boase Award was set up to encourage new writers and is given each year to the most promising work of fiction for children by a first time novelist. The Branford Boase also honours the editor of the winning title and highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new talent.
The Branford Boase judging panel has an uncanny ability to pick future best-selling and critically acclaimed authors. Previous shortlisted and winning writers include Marcus Sedgwick, Meg Rosoff, Philip Reeve, Cathy Cassidy, Kevin Brooks, William Nicholson, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Mal Peet and Bali Rai.
So, the pressure is on for this year’s eminent judging panel: Helen Boyle, editor of tBk magazine, Tricia Adams, executive director of the School Library Association, John Newman, children’s buyer at the Newham Bookshop and Chair of the Booksellers Association’s Children’s Bookselling Group and B R Collins, author of The Traitor Game, winner of last year’s Branford Boase Award. The panel is chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children’s books editor of The Guardian.
Julia Eccleshare says: “This year’s shortlist has really impressed the judges. These engaging and accomplished novels are full of integrity and superb story telling. It is going to be difficult to pick a final winner.”
The winner of the award will be announced on July 14th at a ceremony in London. The winning author receives a cheque for £1,000 and both author and editor receive a unique, hand-crafted silver-inlaid box.