@The_UKLA #UKLA19 #teachersbookawards
The judges for these unique book awards, now in their 11th year and the only awards judged by active classroom teachers, will enjoy the challenge of reading a diverse range of exciting texts from debut authors and small imprints, as well as from more established authors and publishers, selected for them by an experienced panel of past teacher judges, ex-teachers, librarians and consultants.
This year the teacher judges come from the Midlands region around Sheffield, with the 2019 UKLA International Conference, at which the eventual winners are announced, being held at Sheffield Hallam University. There are 10 groups of judges in total covering the three age categories and they have until mid-March to read the longlisted books, discuss them with their group leaders, and share them with pupils. All groups will then meet together for the difficult task of choosing their shortlist of 6 books in each category.
Headteachers welcomed the opportunity to receive new books for their schools and for their teachers to widen their knowledge of recent children’s titles. For UKLA, giving classroom practitioners the opportunity to read a number of new children’s books is as important as finding an overall winner. Research carried out by members of UKLA (Cremin et al 2008) clearly demonstrated the links between teachers’ knowledge of children’s books and the likelihood of pupils becoming successful readers. Despite this evidence, teachers are seldom given time to read new books or funding to purchase them when they do.
UKLA are grateful for the continued support of the award sponsors, which help the awards to grow and develop each year. Capita Reading Cloud, Lovereading4schools and Lovereading4kids, recognise the value of the judging experience for schools and teachers:
“LoveReading4Schools and its sister site LoveReading4Kids are delighted to again support the UKLA Book Awards in 2019. Under new ownership the brand has been re-launched and the sites are being re-designed to bring them bang up-to-date and will continue to develop further to further support our mission to promote a love of books and reading by offering the tools, advice and information needed to help our members and browsers to find their next favourite book.
The fact that the teacher judges reflect on their students’ responses to the books gives these Awards huge credibility and trust so that schools know the books will be in turn loved by their own pupils. The awards are equally valuable for parents looking to support the school environment and further engender a love of reading at home.” Deborah Maclaren Director of Lovereading4Kids
“Capita Reading Cloud are delighted again to be supporting these prestigious and unique children’s book awards as co-sponsors. It is wonderful to see so many dedicated teacher judges working with the longlisted, shortlisted and winning books to spread the joy of reading with their pupil groups and beyond – which is something very much in the spirit of the Reading Cloud where pupils can review, recommend and share their love of reading through a variety of exciting tools and features”
The UKLA Selection Panel, chaired by outgoing Chair Lynda Graham, whittled down the 372 publisher submissions to arrive at a set of longlists, which excitingly feature books in translation, poetry, verse novels and stunning nonfiction titles too. They were pleased to highlight exciting debut authors as well as established and familiar names in children’s literature. Of particular note is the success of small publishing houses like Sweet Apple Publishing, Laurence King, Pushkin Press, Barrington Stoke, Otter-Barry Books, Gecko Press and Tiny Owl. The new Chair of the awards Chris Lockwood says: “the quality of the record number of submissions this year was of a particularly high standard and the panel had no easy task, but we are confident that the teachers and schools involved in the judging will benefit enormously from the impact of these quality texts in their schools” All of the books exemplify the award criteria of writing which offers language rich in layered meanings, imaginative expression and exciting vocabulary. Where present, high quality illustration is also an important feature of the chosen texts.
Longlist 3-6
| Title | Author | Illustrator | Translator | Imprint | |
| Do Not Lick this Book | Idan Ben-Barak | Julian Frost | Allen & Unwin | ||
| Luna Loves Library Day | Joseph Coelho | Fiona Lumbers | Andersen Press | ||
| After the Fall | Dan Santat | Andersen Press | |||
| The New Neighbours | Sarah McIntyre | David Fickling Books | |||
| The Old Man | Sarah V | Claude Dubois | Daniel Hahn | Gecko Press | |
| Here We Are | Oliver Jeffers | HarperCollins | |||
| The Last Wolf | Mini Grey | Jonathan Cape | |||
| Bob’s Blue Period | Marion Deuchars | Laurence King | |||
| Stardust | Jeanne Willis | Briony May Smith | Nosy Crow | ||
| This Zoo is Not for You | Ross Collins | Nosy Crow | |||
| The Squirrels Who Squabbled | Rachel Bright | Jim Field | Orchard Books | ||
| The Big Book of the Blue | Yuval Zommer | Thames & Hudson | |||
| The Drum | Ken Wilson-Max | Catell Ronca | Tiny Owl Publishing | ||
| I Am Bat | Morag Hood | Two Hoots | |||
| The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse | Mac Barnett | Jon Klassen | Walker | ||
| Baby Goes to Market | Atinuke | Angela Brooksbank | Walker | ||
| We Travel So Far | Laura Knowles | Chris Madden | Words & Pictures | ||
Longlist 7-11
| Title | Author | Illustrator | Translator | Imprint |
| The Chinese Emperor’s New Clothes | Ying Chang Compestine | David Roberts | Abrams Books for Young Readers | |
| The Explorer | Katherine Rundell | Hannah Horn | Bloomsbury | |
| The Children of Castle Rock | Natasha Farrant | Faber | ||
| Running on Empty | S. E. Durrant | Rob Biddulph | Nosy Crow | |
| Nevermoor | Jessica Townsend | Beatriz Castro | Orion | |
| Ghost Boys | Jewell Parker Rhodes | Orion | ||
| Riding a Donkey Backwards | Sean Taylor and Khayaal Theatre | Shirin Adl | Otter-Barry Books | |
| Overheard in a Tower Block | Joseph Coelho | Kate Milner | Otter-Barry Books | |
| Sky Dancer | Gill Lewis | Oxford | ||
| The Wild Robot | Peter Brown | Piccadilly | ||
| Boy 87 | Ele Fountain | Pushkin Press | ||
| The Murderer’s Ape | Jakob Wegelius | Peter Graves | Pushkin Press | |
| All the Things That Could Go Wrong | Stewart Foster | Simon & Schuster | ||
| The Muslims | Zanib Mian | Sweet Apple Books | ||
| Kick | Mitch Johnson | Usborne Publishing | ||
| The House with Chicken Legs | Sophie Anderson | Elisa Paganelli | Usborne Publishing | |
| Three Cheers for Women! | Marcia Williams | Walker |
Longlist 12-16
| Title | Author | Illustrator | Translator | Imprint |
| Things a Bright Girl Can Do | Sally Nicholls | Andersen Press | ||
| Rook | Anthony McGowan | Barrington Stoke | ||
| Moonrise | Sarah Crossan | Bloomsbury | ||
| We See Everything | William Sutcliffe | Bloomsbury | ||
| Thornhill | Pam Smy | David Fickling Books | ||
| Mike | Andrew Norris | David Fickling Books | ||
| The Poet X | Elizabeth Acevedo | Egmont Electric Monkey | ||
| Long Way Down | Jason Reynolds | Chris Priestly | Faber | |
| The Colour of the Sun | David Almond | Hodder | ||
| A Skinful of Shadows | Frances Hardinge | Macmillan Children’s Books | ||
| La Belle Sauvage | Philip Pullman | Penguin Random House/ David Fickling Books | ||
| Piglettes | Clémentine Beauvais | Clémentine Beauvais | Pushkin Press | |
| After the Fire | Will Hill | Usborne Publishing | ||
| White Rabbit, Red Wolf | Tom Pollock | Walker | ||
| Norse Myths | Kevin Crossley Holland | Jeffrey Alan Love | Walker Studio | |
| Mary’s Monster | Lita Judge | Wren & Rook |
Notes To Editors
About UKLA
UKLA is a registered charity, which has as its sole object the advancement of education in literacy. UKLA is committed to promoting good practice nationally and internationally in literacy and language teaching and research. The Association was founded in 1963 as the United Kingdom Reading Association. In 2003 it changed its name to the United Kingdom Literacy Association, to reflect more accurately its wider range of focus and interest.
UKLA especially supports the development of approaches to literacy learning and teaching which underpin these understandings. The Association recognises the significance for effective language and communication learning of literature, drama, the visual media, non-fiction texts and information technology, as well as welcoming approaches to teaching which draw on the resources of a wide range of cultures and which are informed by a detailed understanding of how literacy and language work.
About Capita Reading Cloud
Sponsors Capita Reading Cloud have many years’ experience developing engaging software for schools and colleges and are currently delivering 21st century library automation solutions to thousands of schools worldwide. The Reading Cloud powered by Junior Librarian.net revolutionises the way children interact with books in our digital age. Providing a live, safe online reading community which supports the curriculum and is aimed at driving reading for enjoyment. Using innovative technologies the Reading Cloud’s tools and features support and empower pupils to become motivated independent readers and learners for life. To find out more visit capita-readingcloud.co.uk
About Lovereading4schools and Kids
Countless research shows the importance of good reading skills from an early age and a child’s future success in life. However, finding books to inspire children or authors that excite them, can be difficult; the choice is daunting and guidance rather thin on the ground. That’s where Lovereading4kids and its sister site Lovereading4schools can help.
Lovereading4kids is the leading book recommendation site for Children’s Books from toddlers to teens. It has been created using the experience the founders have as parents, book lovers and years of working in the book industry, to inspire children to read great books.
Unique features and services help parents and anyone who likes to buy books for children choose the best books for boys and girls of all ages … and best of all it is free to use.
- Download and print off the Opening Extract of over 10,000 children’s books.
- Read our exclusive online book reviews by children’s book experts including Julia Eccleshare (author and children’s books editor at the Guardian).
- Explore reviews by members of our children’s reader review panel.
- Discover new books recommended by humans not computer algorithms.
Lovereading4schools was created to help teachers and parents encourage children to love reading a variety of books throughout the school year. The website offers schools an easy, impartial and free way to create and share reading lists with their parents and pupils, offering age appropriate books as well as themed collections of titles.
Specially curated lists are arranged by school year, ranging from Reception to Year 9 and onwards through teenage years. There are also specialist categories for Reluctant and Dyslexic Readers that can make a real difference to those who struggle with their reading.
Lovereading4schools is endorsed by Jacqueline Wilson and all titles are selected by Julia Eccleshare MBE, the children’s book editor for The Guardian.
Visit the websites Lovereading.co.uk and Lovereading4schools.co.uk
Shortlist announcement w/b April 1st 2019
The winners will be announced on July 12th 2019, at Sheffield Institute of Education, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield.
Enquires fao Chris Lockwood awards@ukla.org
