Manchester Book Award Queen is crowned
16 March 2010
Author Vanessa Curtis is Queen of teen reads having been crowned winner of this year’s Manchester Book Award.
Vanessa was voted the winner by young people aged between 11 and 14 for her book Zelah Green, Queen of Clean, at an award ceremony at the City of Manchester Stadium on Thursday 11 March.
Young people from schools and reading groups in Manchester have been busy reading and voting for their favourite book since September. From a long-list of 24, they selected their six favourites, which went head to head for the coveted prize, the Manchester Book Award.
Young People packed the room at the City of Manchester Stadium for the event and the air was thick with excitement as the short-listed authors made their way to the stage. The noise was deafening as Vanessa Curtis was eventually announced the winner and although she was unable collect her award in person on the day, it didn't dampen the spirits of her young fans who applauded and whooped enthusiastically.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure said: "The Manchester Book Award is a fantastic event. From the books that have been read so avidly right through to the glittering award ceremony, it's a real journey which young people in the city take real enjoyment from. We must thank the authors who capture the imaginations of their young readers with creative and intelligent writing and a special congratulations to Vanessa Curtis, who is a very popular and deserving winner."
The Manchester Book Award is organised by Manchester Library and Information Service and has been running since 2005. It has grown in popularity since it first began with more than 400 votes being cast and more than 400 reviews submitted online at http://www.manchesterbookaward.com/ this year.
As well as encouraging young people to read it has given them an outlet to discuss the different books creatively, to review them objectively and to design alternative book covers for the short-listed titles.
The other authors and titles that made it through to the finals were Malice by Chris Wooding, Season of Secrets by Sally Nicholls, Blood Ties by last year's winner Sophie McKenzie, The Beautiful Dead: Jonas by Eden Maguire and Blood Hunters by Steve Voake.
