A really popular competition which set out to find a new children's author will return for the second time this weekend. The winner, Emily Diamand, will have her book 'Reavers' published this October by Chicken House as 'Reavers??? Ransom' and next year it could be you.
2,000 writers entered the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction competition last year (including me!) and I'm sure there'll be as many this time around.
The competition last year was for a completed manuscript and the details of this year's requirements will be in The Times on Saturday and no doubt online too.
The only details I have for this year so far is that entries must be received by 13th October, and the shortlist will be announced in February 2009. The judging panel will be chaired by Chicken House Managing Director Barry Cunningham and includes author David Almond, consultant Wendy Cooling and Nyree Jillings from Waterstone's.
The competition will be really tough but you can still view the shortlisted entries and some tips on the Times website at www.timesonline.co.uk/childrensauthor
Judge Malorie Blackman said: "The winning book, Reavers by Emily Diamand, possesses all the qualities I look for in a novel and then some. (And what a dream name for a writer. I'm jealous!). Reavers is an amazing, accomplished story and I feel privileged to have been a part of bringing this story to a wider audience."
The Times says 'Reavers' Ransom' is set about 200 years in the future when climate change has caused sea levels to rise.
The synopsis on Amazon explains: "Lilly Melkun is out fishing with her sea-cat when the bloodthirsty Reavers come raiding - and steal the Prime Minister's daughter. Her village blamed, Lilly decides to find the girl. Off she sails in secret with a ransom - an extraordinary talking jewel. But, nothing can prepare her for what happens next ... "
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By: Susan Humphrey,
on 7/10/2008
Blog: Writer's Block (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Scope Notes,
on 2/20/2008
Blog: 100 Scope Notes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: *Best New Books*, Reviews, Add a tag
The Mozart QuestionUpon first glance, I didn’t know how to classify this book. Its size - slim and square - is a bit unusual for a book aimed at the upper elementary set. While there are illustrations throughout, this is definitely no graphic novel. From the outside it kind of looks like a mini picture book with extra pages. I had similar trouble predicting the storyline. The cover makes some obvious Holocaust allusions, but the title and illustration underneath it had me perplexed. After reading “The Mozart Question”, however, it all makes sense - Morpurgo and Foreman have created a wonderful mix of characters, storyline, history, and illustration that stands out. The only mystery left for me is how many “best of the year” lists this book will grace.
The tale begins when a newspaper reporter falls into an interview with famous Venetian violinist Paolo Levi. The highly sought-after interview comes with a major stipulation: don’t ask the Mozart question. Through the course of the interview, not only do we discover the meaning of the question, but also the answer. Paolo really lays it all out. He tells an amazing life story, beginning with his early days of learning to play the violin in secret. It turns out that his teacher, a local street musician, shares a pretty big secret of his own with Paolo’s parents. A secret that comes out when Paolo is forced to tell his parents about his musical gift.
“The Mozart Question” delivers on a number of levels. The plot is clever and well-paced, never lingering too long or stalling out on the reader. The outstanding watercolor and pencil pictures provide clarity. The characters are well developed and real. Three for three adds up to a genuine winner around here. Not hard to categorize at all: a must-have middle grade selection.
Also Reviewed By: achukareviews, Bookwitch.
Find this book at your local library with WorldCat
