Tussle for top author title

A German author came out top in a close contest to find the favourite author among Cumbrian secondary school students. Cornelia Funke, with her adventure story, The Thief Lord, was the winner in a new award scheme launched by Cumbria schools library service. 

County Councillor Tim Heslop, spokesman on libraries and culture said: 

“This is the first year of this innovative scheme, which has gone very well. It has encouraged us to look ahead, develop the scheme and make it bigger in future years. “The idea is to involve young people in reading for fun and enjoyment, finding a pleasure they can turn to throughout their lives.” 

The Cumbrian Schools’ Book Award 2003 - Spellbinding - has been set up specifically for Cumbrian secondary schools. Nominations were collected from pupils aged 11 to 13, from 20 participating schools. A list of ten titles was drawn up and pupils were encouraged to read and review these books. From their preferences a shortlist of three was produced and the final winner was selected by about 40 pupils voting at Ullswater Community College yesterday, Thursday June 19. 

College head, David Robinson, announced that The Thief Lord, by Cornelia Funke, who lives and works in Germany, was the winner by four votes. The other two shortlisted books, The Edge, by Alan Gibbons, and Mortal Engines, by Philip Reeves, tied for second place. The Thief Lord is billed as an “atmospheric thriller”. Set in Venice, it tells the story of children who run away from their aunt and the attempts of a bungling detective to track them down. 

Schools librarian Diana Thompson said: 

“There was a buzz of excitement throughout the day, right up until the winner was announced. “We shall be letting the shortlisted authors know of the decision.”