YoungMinds calls for submissions for 2010 book award prize

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Posted by SLA Website Editor on 9 Feb 2010 at 14:57

YoungMinds are asking publishers, librarians and young people to put forward submissions for this year's YoungMinds book award.  Books must be works of fiction or biography for young people aged 12+ published between 1 June 2009 and 31 May 2010, which encourage self-esteem and help them to cope with the stresses and challenges of growing up.

Nominations are open until 24 April 2010. 10 books will then be chosen for the longlist.  Young people, children's authors and mental health professionals will then take part in the judging between May and October to choose the winner. The £2,000 prize, which is sponsored by the national reading charity Booktrust, will be presented at an awards ceremony in November 2010.

YoungMinds Chief Executive Sarah Brennan said: 'This special award highlights the vital role books play in promoting the mental and emotional well being of young people. Books can really help to break the isolation experienced by young people and demonstrate that their feelings and problems are not unique.'

Booktrust's Chief Executive Viv Bird said: 'Booktrust is delighted to be returning for the second year as the sponsor of the YoungMinds Book Award, which recognises the immense value that books add to the emotional well-being of young people.'

Last years winner Chris Higgins said: 'I was absolutely thrilled to win the YoungMinds Book Award for A Perfect Ten. I set out to explore the issue of bullying from the perspective of the bully. Following her sister's death, Eve has to deal with survivor's guilt, anorexia and a grieving mother. I hope that A Perfect Ten will provide insight and understanding into both bullies and their victims, and show that these two apparently contradictory roles have more in common than we think.'

Please contact hannah.smith@youngminds.org.uk for more information and an application form.

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