Salford Children's Book Award 2011

The Shortlist

Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

Tall Story book jacket

When Andi’s long-lost brother steps off the plane from the Philippines, she can’t believe her eyes. How did he get to be eight foot tall? But Bernardo is not what he seems. Bernardo is a hero, Bernardo works miracles, and Bernardo has an amazing story to tell.

A bittersweet story, funny, sad, and magical.

Sparks by Ally Kennen

Sparks book jacket

Carla is determined to make Grandpa’s secret dream come true, even though she’ll break the law, and every rule she’s ever known. She’s going to give Grandpa what he always wanted. A real Viking funeral.

Coffin-stealing, boat-burning, telling lies - sometimes you must do wrong to do what’s right.

Mortlock by Jon Mayhew

Josie is a knife thrower in a magician’s stage act. Alfie is an undertaker’s assistant. They are both orphans and they have never met, but they are about to be given a clue to the secret of their shared past. They must unravel the burning mysteries surrounding the legacy that threatens to consume them.

Death is not the end...

Shadow by Michael Morpurgo

Shadow book jacket

A thin and war-ravaged Springer Spaniel appears, just when Aman and his mother need a friend more than ever. Together, they find the courage to embark on the treacherous journey from war-torn Afghanistan to Manchester, England.

“She is more like a friend than a dog, a friendly shadow that does not want to leave us. You never lose your shadow.”

Double Crossing by Richard Platt

Double Crossing book jacket

In 1906 David O’Connor, alone in the world, is forced to leave his home in Ireland to journey to New York. Trapped into a life of crime, escape seems impossible. But then comes a chance and David must decide what price he is willing to pay for his freedom.

Live with the secret - die with the lie.

The Dead of Winter by Chris Priestley

The Dead of Winter book jacket

“My name is Michael: Michael Vyner. I am going to tell you something of my life and of the strange events that have brought me to where I now sit, pen in hand, my heartbeat hastening at their recollection.”

A boy, a mysterious guardian and a haunted house with a terrible secret.

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh

The Crowfield Curse book jacket

Will knows a secret. Somewhere in the forest, behind the abbey where he lives, is a grave. And beneath the snow lies something he thought could never die. But Will is not alone in knowing the truth about the Crowfield Curse.

Hidden in the dusk, someone else is watching...

Now, it’s up to the readers in the high schools to read the seven books and vote for their favourite - the voting will take place in December, but the winner’s name will be top secret until the award ceremony.

This year’s award ceremony will be at the Lowry, on Friday 27 January 2012.

The schools taking part this year are: