18/06/04 - Eagle Strike plucks a prize

Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz soared away to win the top accolade from young readers in a scheme run by Cumbria County Council's library service for schools. The final results of the Spellbinding Award 2004 were announced during an event at the University of Central Lancashire Cumbria Campus at Newton Rigg, with Horowitz's tale of mystery and suspense in first place.   

The event was the culmination of a selection process undertaken by pupils aged from 11 to 14 in 31 Cumbrian secondary schools to find their favourite authors. They read and reviewed ten titles and from their preferences a shortlist of three books was drawn up. Yesterday about 70 pupils voted in a specially created polling station in the Newton Rigg campus library.   

The winning author was announced by Nick Toczek, a widely-published poet from West Yorkshire who hosted the event. Runners-up were Sabriel by Garth Nix and Child X by Lee Weatherly. A booklet will be produced with all the reviews and comments from the schools.   

Anthony Horowitz is being informed that he is the young people's favourite in Cumbria. Eagle Strike tells of a 14-year-old boy who becomes a special agent and is plunged into a world of violence and mystery.   

Ann Singleton, manager of the library service for schools, said:    

"This was an event as equally exciting as last year. The contest was a close-run thing and the whole day was very enjoyable for all concerned.   

"Schools should start getting ready for the next Spellbinding Award and begin nominating books for 2005."