Shrewsbury Bookfest’s Book Awards is a child-led reading development initiative delivered into Shropshire primary schools every two years, for two age groups: The Big Book Award for children aged 9 – 11 years and Picture Book Award for 5 – 7 year olds (call for submissions to the Picture Book Award will go out in January 2020).

In September this year, Shrewsbury Bookfest launches this project for the 6th time to Shropshire primary schools.  This highly regarded project offers not just a book award scheme but an opportunity for schools to stock their libraries with contemporary children’s books and a series of book-related activities designed to capture pupils’ imaginations, build their confidence and develop their skills in reading and critical analysis.

Please take a moment to watch this 3 minute film created during the last Book Award project in 2018, which gives an indication of the depth and expanse of the project here in the West Midlands:

Shrewsbury Bookfest is one of the most impressive regional awards I’ve been involved in.  Pupils not only read and engage with the stories, but also carry out huge amounts of creative work based on their ideas and themes. As an author, I was stunned and moved by the depth to which pupils had thought about my book A Storm of Strawberries. It was an incredibly rewarding and inspiring experience!”  Jo Cotterill, Shrewsbury Bookfest Book Award 2018 shortlisted author

‘Big Book Award’ Entry Criteria:

• Title(s) to have been first published in the UK between 1st August 2018 and 31st July 2019.
• Author must be resident in the UK.
• Books must be suitable for ages 9 to 11.
• Stand-alone titles only – not part of a series.
• Must be available in paperback by 30^th September 2019.
• Maximum number of submissions – 5 titles per publisher/imprint.
• Please supply three copies of each nominated title by Monday 2^nd September 2019.

Please send nominated titles to: Joanna Hughes, The Old Greyhound, 20 Main Road, Dorrington, Shropshire, SY5 7JW.  joanna.hughes@shrewsburybookfest.co.uk     07719 401365

Shrewsbury Bookfest is quite unlike any other regional book award. Child led and centred, it generates not only a very healthy order sheet for each title, but a response from young readers that beats hands down anything I’ve ever experienced at other awards for its passion, imagination and creativity.”  Piers Torday, Shrewsbury Bookfest Book Award 2014 shortlisted author

‘Big Book Award’ Timeline:

• Sunday 2^nd September 2019:  Closing date for submissions to the longlist.  (Year 6 readers from local primary schools will choose a shortlist of 6 titles from the publishers’ submissions.)
• Wednesday 20^th November 2019: The shortlist will be announced at the Shrewsbury Bookfest ‘Unlocking the Power of Books’ Conference for teachers at the University Centre Shrewsbury.
• January to March 2020: Children from all participating schools across Shropshire will read the shortlist, comment on and vote for the winning title and author.
• Thursday 23^rd April 2020:  The winner of the Shrewsbury Bookfest Book Award will be announced at an Awards Ceremony to be held at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.  It is usual that all the shortlisted authors attend the Award Ceremony. All schools taking part in the project will also be invited.  Those schools unable to attend the Ceremony will have the event live-screened into their classrooms.

Key Facts About Big Book Award:

• The Shrewsbury Bookfest Book Award project for primary schools was first launched in 2010, increasing its reach and complexity each time in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
• Total number of participating primary schools in Book Award 2018:  32
• Total number of participating pupils in the Big Book Award 2018:  1300
• Number of titles on shortlist:  6
• Total number of copies of shortlisted titles purchased by the Bookfest Book Award project in 2018: 1,000.
• Past winners:  David Walliams – The Boy in the Dress (2010), Liz Pichon – Tom Gates (2012), Megan Rix – The Bomber Dog (2014) Jane Elson – How to Fly with Broken Wings (2016), Kieran Larwood – The Legend of Podkin One-Ear (2018).
• The project is funded by a combination of trusts and foundations and by participating schools.