Angus Book Award 2010
And the winner is....
Winning author Rachel Ward with her trophy
Rachel Ward, for her novel Numbers published by Chicken House. Rachel was presented with her trophy, a replica of the Aberlemno Serpent Stone and £500, on the 18th May in Kirriemuir town hall. The ceremony was attended by all shortlisted authors and participating pupils.
After several months of debate, decision making and a secret ballot in the eight Angus secondary schools, the four shortlisted authors arrived from all over the UK to visit schools and speak to the participating pupils.
On his visits to Monifieth High and Arbroath Academy, previous ABA winner Kevin Brooks answered questions from pupils informing them of the significance of dark emotions and their impact upon his writing. Anna Perera spoke to pupils of Arbroath High and Brechin High about the atrocities of Guantanamo Bay and how on learning the shocking fact that children had been held there without trial had inspired her to write Guantanamo Boy. Visiting Webster’s High and Montrose Academy, Gillian Philip talked about becoming a writer of young adult fiction and of how she developed a taste for the genre by convincing herself she was building a library for her child while all along she was immersing herself in the reading of teenage books. Rachel Ward shared with pupils of Carnoustie High and Forfar Academy her experience of becoming a published writer and read from Numbers 2: The Chaos due to be published in June.
Competition winners for the best presentation, the best designed alternative book jacket and the best review of the shortlisted novels were announced. Lauren McSharry of Carnoustie High won the best book jacket for Black Rabbit Summer and Rebecca Moodie of Carnoustie High was highly commended for Guantanamo Boy. Beth Holehouse of Montrose Academy won the best book review for her review of Crossing the Line. Arbroath High were highly commended for their film on Guantanamo Boy, the winner was Forfar Academy for their excellent film on Numbers.
With both authors and pupils waiting to hear the result of the secret ballot, the atmosphere was one of nervous anticipation at the evening event, hosted this year by pupils from Webster’s High School. Pupils from all schools introduced the short film presentations that were created by each school on each of the books and why they deserved to win. The authors then spoke of their appreciation on being shortlisted for the Award. Finally the waiting was over and Kirsten Wellburn and Georgina Nicol of Webster’s High opened the golden envelope and announced the winner.
Rachel said, “I’m delighted to have won the Angus Book Award, which has been, and still is, a trail-blazer within the UK. Numbers is my first published book and when I sent it out into the world I had no idea if anyone would read it, let alone enjoy it or connect with it. I’ve been overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome I’ve received in Angus and inspired by the enthusiasm for reading in schools here – the Angus Book Award has created a real buzz around reading amongst students and staff. I’d like to thank everyone involved in the Award - I’m very honoured to have won.”
Huge thanks to Webster’s High School for all the excellent support and great effort made in hosting this year’s ceremony.
The hosts for the awards evening from Websters High School with the authors whose books were read and judged. Back l to r - Anna Perera (author), Kirsty Elliott, Uist Corrigan, Kevin Brooks (author) and Gillian Phillip (Author) with front - Georgina Nicol, Rachel Ward (winning author) and Kirsten Welburn.