2008 Book Award

Schoolchildren across Salford have voted The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd as their favourite book of 2008.

The shortlist for the 2008 Award was:

Colin Bateman: Titanic 2020
Tom Becker: Darkside
Siobhan Dowd: The London Eye Mystery
Julia Golding: Ringmaster
Matt Haig: Shadow Forest
F. E. Higgins: The Black Book of Secrets
Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell: Barnaby Grimes: Curse of the Night Wolf

This year’s award ceremony was held at The Lowry, on Friday 23 January 2009.

Siobhan Dowd's two sisters collected the award on her behalf Siobhan Dowd, who passed away in 2007 after losing her battle with cancer, was represented at the ceremony by her two sisters who collected the award on her behalf. They are shown here with Declan from Oakwood High School, who gave a speech about why he enjoyed the book.

Alan Gibbons with pupils from St George's RC High School This year's awards were presented once again by prize-winning children's author, Alan Gibbons. Alan picked up another award himself on the day, when pupils from St George’s RC High School announced that he had won the first Salford Young Adult Book Award for his book Scared to Death.

Children also got the chance to put questions to some of their favourite authors, Matt Haig and Tom Becker, shortlisted respectively for their books Shadow Forest and Darkside.

Councillor Barry Warner, Salford City Council's lead member for culture and sport said: "The award is growing each year and it's great to see more young people getting enthusiastic about reading.

"It's not everyday that children get to meet the authors of their favourite books and I'm glad we're able to put on such a successful event that gives them the opportunity."

The following schools participated in this year’s award. Pupils in each school read the shortlist and voted for their favourite title.