Readers go online for winner of book awards

BOOKWORMS were on hand to see a children’s author receive a prestigious awards after forsaking print and paper momentarily for the power of the Internet.

Twenty Northallerton School and Sixth Form College students formed a Carnegie Shadowing Group, part of an initiative designed to boost literacy.

For weeks they have been meeting to discuss the Carnegie Medal shortlist of eight children’s books, posting their reviews on the official website.

When the winner was announced at a ceremony at the British Library, the Year 7-10 students streamed live into the proceedings to see Tanya Landman collect the honours for her work Buffalo Soldier.

The award has been running for the past 70 years and is considered the most prestigious to win by children’s authors.

Head of the schools’ learning resource centre Christine Brayshaw said: “We felt part of the whole process as we read the books, posted official reviews and witnessed the live awards ceremony.

“Students really enjoyed the project, made new friends and shared their common love of literature.”

Annie Smithson, 12, said: “I loved Buffalo Soldier. It was my favourite of the eight. It was one of those books you could not put down and will always remember.”