The winners of the Portsmouth Book Award 2007 are:

THE LONGER NOVEL

The Foreshadowing

Marcus Sedgwick, Orion

Pupil judges were 142 Year 8/9 pupils from eleven Portsmouth Secondary schools

The Longer Novel is judged by Year 8/9 secondary pupils and they meet up three times during the year. Once to hear about the shortlist and receive their books, on the second occasion to discuss the books in small groups and then vote and, finally, for an Award celebration when the Award is presented to the winning author. Previous winners include William Nicholson, Benjamin Zephaniah and Michael Morpurgo.

THE SHORTER NOVEL

The F.E.A.R Agency

Jak Shadow, Wizard Books

Pupil judges were 1,522 Year 5 pupils from twenty five Portsmouth Junior & Primary schools

Year 5 pupils judge the Shorter Novel section and each class involved visits their local public library for a launch event when they receive their copies of the books. The judges vote in their own schools during May and then attend the glitzy Award Celebration at The Plaza Suite in July. As well as an Oscars style presentation to the winning author, one school performs a drama based on the novel and another a specially written song. Previous winners include Jacqueline Wilson, Narinder Dhami and Jeanne Willis.

THE PICTURE BOOK

Burger Boy

Alan Durant, illus. Mei Matsuoka, Andersen Press

Pupil judges were 1,259 Year 1 pupils from twenty three Infant & Primary schools

Year 1 pupils judge the Picture Book section of the award. The 4 shortlisted books arrive in school in February, there is a vote in May and then a member of the public Library service visits the school to announce the winner during June. This year Alan Durant was also able to speak to many of the pupil judges in a lightning tour of schools.

In 2007 the award process involved 2,923 young people, the largest number ever and the Library Service, which administers the Award, is excited about the way the children react.

Further Information:

Peter Bone

School Library Service Manager

Saxon Shore Infant School

Jubilee Avenue

Paulsgrove

Portsmouth

PO6 4QJ

Telephone 023 9232 6612