UKLA Book Awards Winners 2017.
The winning book in the 12 to 16+ category is The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen by Susin Nielsen. Published by Andersen Press
‘A really good book changes the way you see the world’ and this book demonstrated that powerful effect in the judges’ classrooms. This is indeed a remarkable book: with a diary format that is a gift for engaging with reluctant readers and for creative writing; multi-faceted authentic characters that evoke empathy and provoke intense class discussions of relevant topics such as bullying, divorce and family breakdown; and yet is also warm, humane, sensitive and funny,
The judges also presented a Highly Commended award toThe Marvelswritten and illustrated by Brian Selznick. Published by Scholastic
This beautiful and special book provides a unique experience for the reader and the judges wished to commend a unique method of telling the story: first through cinematic wordless pictures then by narrative text. With the immediately accessible images you create your own narrative and this engages the interest of even the most reluctant of readers in fiction and the power of story.
The winning book in the 7 to 11 category is The Journey written and illustrated by Francesca Sanna published by Flying Eye Books
The judges reported that this important book for our times was used throughout their schools and had impact and meaning for all ages and abilities. This story of a mother seeking a safe refuge for her family really demonstrated the power of pictures to inspire discussion, empathy and creative writing. The powerful simple language was both challenging without being intimidating and the whole book provoked such rich responses from children that it was truly outstanding
The winning book for the 3 to 6 category There’s a Bear on MY Chair by Ross Collins published by Nosy Crow
A superb example of how interesting words and evocative pictures should work together and one which also demonstrates a very clever use of design; with differing font size and colour expressing tone, emphasis and volume. The clever rhyme reads aloud very well and the perfectly expressive and humorous illustrations really engage young children in discussing the story and the issues of restorative justice that it raises, providing a wonderful stimulus for dramatic re-telling.
