Book Award 2009

Schoolchildren from across Salford have voted Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls as their favourite book, and got to meet the author at the annual Salford Children's Book Award ceremony.

The shortlist for the 2009 award was:

Frank Cottrell Boyce: Cosmic
Elizabeth Laird: Lost Riders
Michelle Magorian: Just Henry
Sally Nicholls: Ways to Live Forever
Chris Priestley: Tales of Terror from the Black Ship
Emma Clayton: The Roar

160 pupils from 13 schools attended the award ceremony at The Lowry, on Friday 29 January 2010, getting the chance to have books signed and meet some of the authors from the shortlist.

All the children read each of the six books, at school and at home, voting for their favourite story which is Sally Nicholls’ debut novel.

The winning book , Ways to Live Forever", has already won the Waterstones childrens book awards in 2008 and is now being made into a film.

Jenny from St Ambrose Barlow High School said "Ways to Live Forever was moving, gripping, happy and exciting to sum it up in just a few words … It was very moving and made me cry."

Shortlisted authors Elizabeth Laird and Frank Cottrell Boyce also spoke at the ceremony and answered pupils’ questions about their writing. Other shortlisted authors who couldn't attend all provided specially written messages that were read out by performance poet and host for the awards, Paul Cookson.

Councillor Barry Warner, Salford City Council lead member for culture said: "I look forward to this event every year, it's great to see so many children in Salford enthusiastic about reading."

This year’s participating schools were: