THIS year’s Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership’s School Book Awards Ceremony recently took place at Frome College’s Merlin Theatre.

Student panels from participating secondary schools across the Trust, including Norton Hill School and Somervale School, have been busy reading and voting on the six shortlisted books, and it was their input that solely decided this year’s winner.

This year’s shortlisted books included: Young Gothic by M A Bennett, Not for The Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher, Fear Files: Hide and Seek by Christopher Edge, Mondays Are Murder by Ravena Guron, The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall and The Scream of The Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones.

Students attended the Awards Ceremony along with school library staff, several of the shortlisted authors and a special guest, author Tom Palmer, to find out whether their favourite book was the overall winner. The ceremony functioned as a celebration of a love of reading, with students showcasing presentations on their favourite shortlisted books.

The award for the winning book went to author Ravena Guron for her book ‘Mondays Are Murder’. Norton Hill School student judge, Robert, described the book as “thrilling, dangerous and deadly” and as a “must-read”. In her review, student judge, Phoebe, wrote: “I didn’t realise you could fit so many plot twists into one book. No one was safe!”

The authors took part in an engaging discussion panel answering students’ questions, chaired by Olive Morris, librarian at St Dunstan's School. Host Natalie Owsley, library manager at Frome College, Emma Reynolds, head at Frome College, and guest author Tom Palmer gave short speeches about the power of books.

Students taking part in the awards described how they had enjoyed the experience, how they felt inspired to read different genres, and to write their own stories.

Edie, from Somervale School, said: “We got to meet some really interesting authors and learn about the topics and characters reflected in the stories.”

Arlo added: “It was awesome to meet all the different authors who managed to attend".

Paige, from Norton Hill School, said: “I’ve realised whilst reading the shortlisted books, that I like adventure and ghost stories, as well as mysteries.” And Mia added: “I enjoyed interacting with the other schools and authors, and that my question featured in their Q&A. After reading, and rereading, ‘Young Gothic’, I have looked into more gothic books and really want to start my own project.”

Students also had the opportunity to visit Winstone's Hunting Raven’s Pop-up Bookshop, to meet the authors and take part in a raffle to win fabulous book-themed prizes donated by the schools participating, and also by Winstone's Hunting Raven’s Bookshop.

The Library Book Awards, organised by library staff across the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership’s Trust (MNSP) to highlight and celebrate reading for pleasure, are now in their second year.

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