Philip Pullman supports prize for debut fiction

Before I Die by Jenny Downham, edited by David Ficklingand published by David Fickling Books, has won the Branford Boase Award, awarded for an outstanding debut novel for children. Managing to be both heart breaking and life-affirming, it is the story of a girl trying desperately to fit a life time of experiences into the few weeks left before she dies. For David Fickling, it is two winners in a row, with A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd having taken the prize last year. Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine, edited by Stella Paskins at Harper Collins, was Highly Commended.

Philip Pullman presented Jenny Downham with her award (a cheque for £1000 and a hand crafted silver-inlaid box) at the ceremony, hosted by Walker Books at 6.30pm on Wednesday 9th July. The line up of past winners, many of whom attended, includes Meg Rosoff and Mal Peet, both of whom have gone on to win the Carnegie medal.

The judging panel, chaired by Julia Eccleshare, included Trish Beswick, Bookselling Consultant; Ian Dodds of the Youth Libraries Group; Nikki Gamble, Educational Consultant and Editor of Write Away; and Linda Buckley-Archer, author of Gideon the Cutpurse, which was Highly Commended for last year’s award.

The shortlist:

• Anna Hibiscus Atinuke, edited by Averil Whitehouse and published by Walker
• Nathan Fox by L Brittney, edited by Rachel Denwood and published by Macmillan
• Waves by Sharon Dogar, edited by Barry Cunningham and published by Chicken House
• Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi, edited by Beverly Birch and published by Hodder
• Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine, edited by Stella Paskins and published by HarperCollins

The annual Branford Boase Award celebrates the most promising book for seven year-olds and upwards by a first-time novelist, and highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new authors. The author may have published other books in another genre - for example, poetry or a picture book - but eligibility for the prize requires that this is her or his first children’s novel. In addition to drawing attention to fresh talent in the field of children's books and encouraging publishers to find and promote new writers, the Award sets out to alert readers of all ages to the work of an interesting newcomer. The contribution of the Editor in the writing process is also acknowledged and promoted in this Award. The winning author receives a cheque for £1000, and both author and editor receive a handcrafted hardwood box in the shape of a book, inlaid in silver with the Branford Boase logo.

The Branford Boase Award was set up in memory of the outstanding children’s writer Henrietta Branford and the gifted editor, Wendy Boase, Editorial Director of Walker Books. They worked together on a number of books, a partnership they greatly enjoyed. They both died of cancer in 1999.

Website: www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk