A NEW initiative to promote reading for pleasure among secondary school students has concluded with the first-ever School Library Book Awards, organised by the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership.

The winning title, Bird Boy, is the moving tale of eleven-year-old Will, who, whilst grieving for his mother, finds friendship with refugee Omar, and a bond with an injured osprey chick.

The award ceremony was attended by MNSP students, library staff, CEO Alan Williams and Frome College headteacher, Emma Reynolds, with local author Matt Dickinson and shortlisted authors, Catherine Bruton, Keith Gray, Fleur Hitchcock, Elle McNicoll attending as VIP guests. Nora Dasnes joined the ceremony by video link, live from Norway.

With fewer teenagers reading for pleasure in recent years, the awards were set up to help students reconnect with books. By putting them at the heart of the judging process and encouraging schools to work together, the scheme aimed to boost a sense of community as well as a love of reading. It also gave school libraries an opportunity to highlight a wide range of books, including titles by local authors.

Student reading panels across secondary schools in the MNSP read the shortlisted books and it was their input that solely decided the winner, in what was described as an “incredibly close competition”, by ceremony host, Natalie Owsley.

Ms Owsley, library co-ordinator at Frome College, shared how the library staff across the MNSP trust had come together as a group to set up the awards with a varied shortlist based on books that their students found engaging and relatable, with the purpose of celebrating and enhancing reading for pleasure.

The winning author, Catherine, tearfully thanked the students for "choosing my book as your winner” and praised the other shortlisted books and authors, saying “I really didn’t expect this - I didn't prepare a speech, because the other books are all so good!”

Students from Norton Hill School, Somervale School and Beechen Cliff School shared presentations on their favourite books from the shortlist, arguing eloquently why their chosen book should win.

There was also the opportunity for the authors to answer questions submitted by the students in a panel chaired by Olive Morris-Soper, librarian at St Dunstan’s School. They discussed inspirations, challenges and how many drafts they wrote, amongst other topics. Winner, Catherine Bruton shared how the young people she works with as a teacher inspire her.

Norton Hill student Ava said, “the event was really enjoyable and enlightening. It was interesting to hear the opinions of students from the other schools in their presentations, and to learn how the different authors all found different aspects of writing challenging.”

The organisers thanked the shortlisted authors and all the MNSP staff and students who made the awards possible. With special thanks also to Hunting Raven Books and Bath Aqua Glass, for their support.

To find out more about the School Library Book Awards, including details about the shortlisted titles visit: www.midsomernortonschoolspartnership.com/news/mnsp-inaugural-school-library-book-awards.htm.