Secondary pupils, librarians, teachers, and parents from across Cheshire gathered at Winsford Academy on Wednesday 11th October 2023 to celebrate the launch of the Cheshire Schools’ Book Award 2024. Josh Silver, author of YA dystopian thriller HappyHead – whose film rights were recently snapped up by Hollywood actor Taron Egerton – proved a popular guest, engaging the crowd with his experiences of growing up as the least cool twin learning elven languages in the school library, his decision to switch careers from acting to nursing, and the importance of providing adequate mental health care for teenagers. After fielding questions about his writing, music tastes, and French bulldog, Josh helped pupils to reveal this year’s shortlist.
Cheshire Schools' Book Award 2024 shortlist
Younger age category
When I See Blue by Lily Bailey
The Rescue of Ravenwood by Natasha Farrant
Just Like Everyone Else by Sarah Hagger-Holt
Tyger by SF Said
Bite Risk by S.J. Wills
Older age category
The Girl Who Broke the Sea by A. Connors
Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher
Ellie Pillai is Brown by Christine Pillainayagam
HappyHead by Josh Silver
The Agency for Scandal by Laura Wood
The Cheshire Schools’ Book Award is an annual book award celebrating teenage fiction and the joy and community of school reading groups. The award is entirely pupil-led, with pupils from subscribing secondary schools nominating and voting for their favourite books. Participation in the award can help schools to encourage reading for pleasure, encouraging lively and positive dialogue amongst pupils and staff. Most excitingly, the award provides pupils with the opportunity to meet and engage with authors during the launch event and award ceremony.
To register your school, or to find out more information, please email Susannah Hill at susannah.hill@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.