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Violence, knife crime, murderous gangs and a vengeful killing are this year’s themes of choice for the best books for teenagers. The controversial topics top the shortlist for the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize which is announced today and celebrates the best contemporary writing for teenagers.
The 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize 2008 shortlist is:
Creature of the Night by Kate Thompson (Bodley Head)A teenage tearaway from tough downtown Dublin is unwillingly relocated into rural County Clare. Bobby is determined to steal the first available car to rejoin his urban gang mates. However, the longer he stays in the old house the deeper he gets into a mystery from the past.
The Knife That Killed Me by Anthony McGowan (Definitions)
McGowan’s enthralling story of the terrible consequences of peer pressure and violence. Paul Varderman becomes embroiled in the war between the gang led by twisted bully Roth and the gang of a neighbouring school when Roth hands him a knife which both empowers him and scares him at the same time.
The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner (Orion)
A magical adventure story set in the chaotic days of the French Revolution. Hero Yann and his dwarf mentor Tetu struggle to save their friends from the guillotine’s blade.
Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz (Walker)The latest installment in the adventures of Alex Rider, in which he re-enters earthly events from outer space and gets tangled up with the Australian Secret Service and an investigation into the criminal world of the Snakehead organisation.
Apache by Tanya Landman (Walker)
Fourteen-year-old orphan Siki already has a fierce hatred for the Mexican warriors, but when her little brother Tazhi is brutally slain in front of her she vows with all her heart to become an apache warrior and avenge his death.
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (Walker)
A sci-fi fantasy novel set in a small town where women are banished and only men remain. Todd and his friend Viola must escape the town, the mysterious men who are chasing them and the unremitting ‘Noise’ virus.
Amanda Craig, Chair of Judges, comments:
“I've had the most wonderful time judging the Booktrust Teenage Prize, which has revealed a treasure-trove of familiar and unfamiliar talents for teenagers to enjoy. The most exciting, innovative, stylish and moving kind of fiction is currently being written for young adults, and I am confident that the shortlist chosen by the judges reflects this.”
The winning author will receive a cheque for £2,500 and a trophy.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 18 November.
The Booktrust Teenage Prize was launched in 2003 to recognise and celebrate contemporary writing for teenagers. Booktrust administers the prize with the support of writers, publishers, teachers, parents and libraries. Publishers may enter works of fiction, including novels, collections of short stories and graphic novels. The Reading Agency is promoting the Booktrust Teenage Prize in libraries across the UK primarily through coordination with public and school library services.
The 2007 Prize was won by Marcus Sedgwick for My Swordhand is Singing. Previous winners also include Mark Haddon for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) and Anthony McGowan for Henry Tumour (2006).
The specially designated website for the prize, http://www.bookheads.org.uk/, promotes the prize and books for young people as well as carrying comments and reviews from young people.
And this reaction followed in the Guardian:
Knife crime, gang violence and a brutal murder are on the shortlist for the 2008 Booktrust teenage prize, announced earlier today.
The former winner Anthony McGowan, shortlisted for his story of school peer pressure and violence, The Knife That Killed Me, was unconcerned about appearing on such a gritty list. His story of a schoolboy who struggles to come to terms with the knife he is given by a twisted bully is "a darker, difficult read" he said, "but it's quite hard to shock teenagers these days – if it's realistic they will connect with the story, and if it's not, then they'll think it's silly."
For Alison Flood's full report go to the Guardian online.
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