Salford Children's Book Award 2004

The Shortlist
Martin Chatterton: Michigan Moorcroft RIP
Graham Gardner: Inventing Elliot
Alan Gibbons: Caught in the Crossfire
Elizabeth Laird: The Garbage King
Michael Morpurgo: Private Peaceful
Alex Shearer: Bootleg

The Winner - Michael Morpurgo: Private Peaceful

The Ceremony

The award ceremony was held at The Lowry on 21 January 2005.  Shortlisted authors Martin Chatterton, Graham Gardner, Alan Gibbons and Alex Shearer attended the event and spoke about their nominated books, and pupils gave speeches about their favourite contender.

Unfortunately, the winner of the prize, Michael Morpurgo, was unable to attend, but he sent an acceptance speech which was read out in his absence.
He said, “I am really sorry not be there with you in Salford to receive this wonderful award.  I know that many children will have read a book on this shortlist and simply loved it.  That’s what matters.  I hope that many of them loved Private Peaceful, of course I do; but what counts much more is that they’ve been given the opportunity to discover all these wonderful books and wonderful writers.  Such discoveries enrich lives, and change lives.  Bravo Salford! (I think you do books a lot better than you do rugby league!)”

Michael Morpurgo’s Visit

On 6 October 2005 Michael Morpurgo travelled to Salford to accept his prize for winning the Salford Children’s Book Award 2004.  Pupils who had taken part in the award met him at Worsley Court house and listened to him talk about how he writes his books, the inspiration for Private Peaceful and his favourite adult and children’s novels. After accepting his £1000 prize money from Councillor Barry Warner, Lead Member for Culture and Sport, Michael thanked everyone for voting for him.  He was delighted to be able to speak to pupils who had voted for his book and valued the award very much.  After his speech Michael signed books and postcards for those who attended the event.

The photograph shows Michael receiving his award from Councillor Warner.

This page was last updated on 3 October 2009