Cumbrian secondary school pupils are set to name their favourite book this week when the 'Spellbinding' awards reaches its nail-biting conclusion.
Cumbria County Council's Library Service for Schools will announce the winner of their fifth annual Spellbinding award at a special ceremony at the University of Central Lancashire's Penrith campus on Wednesday 20 June 2007.
A top-ten list of favourite reads was compiled from nominations collected from pupils aged between 11 and 14. Schoolchildren were then encouraged to read and review the books from this list in school reading groups and come up with a shortlist of three which will now go forward for live voting at this week's event. The top-three books chosen are: Ingo by Helen Dunmore; I, Coriander by Sally Gardner; and Secrets of the Fearless by Elizabeth Laird.
Around 70 pupils, accompanied by librarians and teachers, are expected to gather at the University of Central Lancashire's Penrith campus where they will be asked to vote for this year's best book which will be announced live on a giant screen to a crescendo of party-poppers.
This year's page-turning event is being hosted by Alec Williams - an internationally renowned advocate of children's fiction and poetry - and is the culmination of a competition involving 31 schools from across Cumbria.
Councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for Cumbria's Library Service, said: "The Spellbinding award continues to go from strength to strength. It is wonderful to see so many young people enthusiastic about reading and to see so many schools taking part."
Ann Singleton, Library Services for Schools Manager said: "This years event will be just as exciting and vibrant as last years. The award gives young people the opportunity and confidence to express their own views and improve their speaking skills, as well as generating excitement about books".
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Notes
The announcement of this year's 'Spellbinding' book competition winner will take place in the main conference room at the University of Central Lancashire's Penrith campus at 2:00pm Wednesday 20 June.