2010 Book Award

Paul Adam, Paul Cookson, Jack and Joshua

High school pupils from schools across Salford have chosen their favourite book of 2010. The winning book is "Escape from Shadow Island" by Paul Adam.

Paul collected his prize (a print by L S Lowry) at a ceremony at The Lowry on 28 January 2011. During the ceremony, high school pupils gave a presentation about each of the six books on the shortlist, and five of the authors were there to talk about how they came to write the books, and to answer questions from pupils.

Joshua from Bridgewater School gave a speech about the winning book, and said, "I really enjoyed Escape from Shadow Island and would recommend it to children and adults alike, to anyone who fancies a fast moving and challenging book with lots of twists and turns".

The pupils in the audience had voted for the winning book in a secret ballot, and Jack from St George's High School was given the job of opening the gold envelope and reading out Paul Adam's name.

After the ceremony, pupils got to meet their favourite authors at a book signing session, which included the ceremony's compere, the performance poet Paul Cookson.

Councillor Barry Warner, Salford City Council Lead Member for Culture said, "I was delighted to be at the eighth Salford Children's Book Award Ceremony. It's fantastic that the five shortlisted authors took the time to come and meet Salford's high school pupils who have read and enjoyed their books."