Branford Boase Winner Announced 28th June 2007

A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd, edited by David Fickling and Bella Pearson, and published by David Fickling Books, has won the Branford Boase Award. 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 Award Ceremony took place at Walker Books, in London on Thursday 28th June.  The Children’s Laureate, Jacqueline Wilson, who is a major sponsor of this prestigious award, attended, along with many of the previous winners.  The glittering line up of past winners include Meg Rosoff, who has just been awarded the Carnegie Medal, as well as last year’s Carnegie winner, Mal Peet. 

Siobhan Dowd was thrilled to hear of her success, commenting: “I’m moved beyond words at winning the Branford Boase Award.  Henrietta Branford had a razor-sharp intellect and compelling honesty in her writing.  Fire, Bed and Bone, which I’ve just finished, leaves me mourning the books-that-might-have-been had breast cancer not so cruelly taken her from us.  This is an award that taps you on the shoulder and whispers “Hurry up and earn me.”  I promise to do my level best. “

Julia Eccleshare chaired the judging panel, which also included Frances Hardinge, last year’s winner for Fly By Night, Annie Everall of Derbyshire Libraries, Claudia Mody of Waterstone’s and Nicolette Jones, writer and critic,  who had this to say on behalf of the judges: “I am confident that every author shortlisted for this year’s Branford Boase has an impressive career as a children’s writer ahead.  All six books were, in their various ways, remarkable. Siobhan Dowd’s winning young adult novel stood out for its entertaining and expertly crafted style: a fluent, lyrical sprightliness which leavens tragic events with humanity and even, in places, humour.”

visit the website for more information on the award and details on past winners.

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