Television’s Richard & Judy have given their support to the Manchester Book Award, which has had young people across the city avidly reading and voting for their favourite books.
Since September last year, Manchester's 11-14 year olds have been selecting their top fictional reads. 35 reading groups in schools and libraries city-wide began with reading the long-list of 24 books in September and have now decided the shortlist of six thrilling titles: Being by Kevin Brooks, Berserk by Ally Kennen, Do the Creepy Thing by Graham Joyce, Girl, Missingby Sophie Mckenzie, Nemesis by Catherine MacPhail and Devil's Breath by David Gilman.
The winner will be announced at a glittering award ceremony on Thursday 13 March at the City of Manchester Stadium, where all those who voted will have the chance to meet their favourite authors, including the winner! And one lucky person will be driven with their friends in a limousine.
Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who currently host Channel Four's Richard & Judy Show, are both supporting the initiative having both begun their broadcasting careers in Manchester and having launched their own hugely successful Richard & Judy Book Club. They said: "The Manchester Book Award is a fantastic project and we are delighted to see Manchester doing so much to promote reading among young people.
"It is a wonderful tool for developing imagination, building confidence and for learning. Reading creates so many possibilities and it's something we encourage all children and young people to do, including our own!"
The Manchester Book Award, organised by Manchester Library & Information Service is now in its third year and was created to encourage reading for fun among young people. It has instigated creative and animated debate among reading groups, with many of those involved submitting lively and descriptive reviews on the Manchester Book Award website http://www.manchesterbookaward.com/
Councillor Mike Kane, Executive Member for Arts & Leisure said: "The response from young people city-wide to the Manchester Book Award has been phenomenal and it is wonderful to see ever-increasing numbers developing an enthusiasm for reading through such initiatives."
The Manchester Book Award Ceremony takes place Thursday 13 March 2pm - 3.30pm at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Media contact:
Claire Keegan, tel 0161 234 4014