The Bookseller.com

20th November 2008

« Headlines

Walker dominates Booktrust shortlist

01.09.08 Philip Jones

Anthony Horowitz, Sally Gardner, and Kate Thompson are among the authors shortlisted for the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize. The three authors are joined by Tanya Landman, Anthony McGowan, and Patrick Ness on the six-strong list. Independent children's publisher Walker has three books on the selection, with the Bodley Head, Definitions and Orion the other three publishers with authors in the running for the prize.

Amanda Craig, chair of judges, said: "I've had the most wonderful time judging the Booktrust Teenage Prize, which has revealed a treasure-trove of familiar and unfamiliar talents for teenagers to enjoy. The most exciting, innovative, stylish and moving kind of fiction is currently being written for young adults, and I am confident that the shortlist chosen by the judges reflects this."

The winning author will receive a cheque for £2,500 and a trophy at a ceremony to be held in London on 18th November 2008.

The 2007 Prize was won by Marcus Sedgwick for My Swordhand is Singing. Previous winners also include Mark Haddon for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) and Anthony McGowan for Henry Tumour (2006).

The 2008 shortlist in full:

Creature of the Night by Kate Thompson (Bodley Head)
The Knife That Killed Me by Anthony McGowan (Definitions)
The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner (Orion)
Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz (Walker)
Apache by Tanya Landman (Walker)
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (Walker)

Philip Jones children's walker Orion Booktrust Bodley Head Prize Anthony Horowitz