Jackie Morris and Pauline Francis (seated)

 Winner of the top prize for the Picture Book category was Jackie Morris with The Snow Leopard. Winner of the 8+ category was Chris Riddell with Ottoline and the Yellow Cat  and the 12+ award went to Pauline Francis with Raven Queen.

 Principal School Librarian Stephanie Hoyle said: “The third year of the book awards has proven to be the biggest yet with more authors and schools attending than ever before. We have also been able to organise extra events in schools which has allowed us to spread the message that reading is fun. Once again pupils taking part have been able to share their comments about the short-listed books on the book awards website and they had the chance to vote again in a final ballot, the results of which were kept secret until the awards presentation. “I would like to thank all the school pupils for their help in selecting this year’s winners and congratulate all the short-listed authors, especially those who were able to join us today. All the books on the short-list were donated by the publishers so I would also like to thank them for their support... There is a wide and wonderful selection of books available nowadays for young people to read covering an enormous range of interests. A love of reading nurtured at a young age can last a lifetime. These awards have encouraged pupils to read and review a large selection of books that they might not otherwise have looked at and I am sure it has widened their tastes on the types of books they enjoy.”

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PICTURE BOOK WINNER

 Jackie Morris The Snow Leopard

From the beginning of time, high above the hidden valley, Snow Leopard has sung the stars to life, the sun to rise and the moon to wax and wane. He has woven words of protection to keep the hidden valley safe from the world and as he sings, a child lies dreaming the song down in the valley beneath. But time is passing, and Snow Leopard needs to find a singer who will follow him. But while he is searching, soldiers come looking for gold and slaves...Jackie Morris' poetic text weaves the spirit of nature into a universal myth for our time, drawing Eastern threads of transformation into a children's story glistening with wonder. Set against the stunning landscapes of the Himalayas, her superlative illustrations of the nearly-extinct Snow Leopard offer a message of hope at a time when many of the world's wildest places are being worn away by human beings

8+ WINNER

Chris Riddell Ottoline and the Yellow Cat

This work introduces Miss Ottoline Brown, an exceptionally inquisitive Mistress of Disguise, and her partner in crime, Mr Munroe. No puzzle is ever too tricky for the two of them to solve ...Ottoline lives in a stylish apartment in Big City with a small hairy creature called Mr Munroe. Together they look after the Brown family's eclectic collections - and dabble in a spot of detective work. So they are the first to the scene of the crime when a string of high society dog-nappings and jewel thefts hits Big City. Ottoline (who luckily has a diploma from the Who-R-U Academy of Disguise) and Mr Munroe go undercover - and expose an ingenious scam masterminded by furry feline crook, the Yellow Cat. This is a quirky mystery - adventure which is perfectly packaged and highly collectable.

12+ WINNER

Pauline Francis Raven Queen

This is a powerful historical novel that brings to life an unforgettable story of love, hope and royal duty, from a hugely talented new author. The life of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen, is all too often remembered as just a line in a history book, but this stunning debut novel reveals the full fascinating and tragic story - a tale of treachery, power struggles, and religious turmoil in the Tudor court. Intricately woven and passionately written, "The Raven Queen" is also a sensitive story of love against all odds that will enchant readers.

SHORTLIST

 12+ category:

• The Witnessby James Jauncey 
• Apacheby Tanya Landman
• Crusadeby Elizabeth Laird
• Beserkby Ally Kennen

8+ category:

• Tom's Dragon Troubleby Tony Bradman
• Boy in the Biscuit Tinby Heather 
• Born to Runby Michael Morpurgo
• The Kick Off by Dan Freedman

Picture Book category:

• Wendel's Workshopby Chris Riddell
• The Railway Children by Alan Marks
• Dog Called Rod by Tim Hopgood
• A Present for Freddie Smallby Nick Butterworth & Michael Evans