Congratulations to MARCUS SEDGWICK, who was awarded the BOOKTRUST TEENAGE PRIZE for MY SWORDHAND IS SINGING, an atmospheric, foreboding vampire story set in the forests of Transylvania.

The judges particularly appreciated the  novel's atmosphere and Sedgwick's poetic prose.  Anthony McGowan, judge and winner of Booktrust Teenage Prize 2006: “The 2007 Booktrust Prize turned up some stunning novels. But one novel stood out for its utterly gripping narrative, its brilliantly created atmosphere of terror and suspense, and the subtle poetry of its language. Marcus Sedgwick’s My Swordhand is Singing hooks the reader from the opening sentence, and, like the Gypsy music at its core, resonates still in the imagination long after the last note is sounded.”

 Viv Bird, Director of Booktrust: “Choosing this year’s winner from such a superb shortlist was extremely daunting for all our judges. The books were all of extraordinary calibre: compelling, beautifully written and reflecting a wide variety of themes. We are delighted that the Booktrust Teenage Prize is attracting such remarkable authors and congratulate Marcus wholeheartedly on his outstanding book.”