Lara Williamson, author of A Boy Called Hope, has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Salford Libraries Children’s Book Award, at the Lowry Arts Centre.
The award is part of an initiative by Salford Community Leisure’s Schools’ Library Service, and inspired hundreds of young people from schools across Salford to get involved in the scheme, naming Lara’s book as their favourite from the shortlisted six titles.
A Boy Called Hope tells the story of Dan Hope, a boy who wants to be the first eleven year old on the moon, but most of all who wants his dad to love him. This is a moving story about Dan’s search for his Dad and is described as ‘lovely, heart-warming and funny.’
In her acceptance speech, Williamson spoke of her delight at winning the award:
“I want to express my gratitude to the youngsters of Salford who have not only sat down and enjoyed my book, but taken the time to really understand it and comment on it.
“It means so much to me to win the Salford Libraries Children’s Book Award, because it shows that the people I wrote the book for have actually enjoyed it. I dreamed about writing a book and it seemed like an impossible dream, but bit by bit I realised I had something – hope. And now A Boy Called Hope exceeded all of my expectations and I am delighted.”
During the process youngsters critiqued the works and also presented their synopsis and comments back to the authors in five-minute presentations.
The other titles shortlisted include: Thirteen Chairs by Dave Shelton, Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen, Scarlet Ibisby Gill Lewis, The Executioner’s Daughter by Jane Hardstaff and The Ultimate Truth by Kevin Brooks.
The event is part of a recurring year-long campaign in Salford from Salford Schools’ Library Service to promote a greater engagement with books, reading, discussions and overall enjoyment of literature and was compered by popular children’s author, comedian, story-teller and poet, James Campbell.
Sarah Spence, head of libraries, comments:
“This is the thirteenth year of the Salford Children’s Book Awards. It is wonderful to watch so many young people engaging on such a level with literature. The Award offers those involved the chance to voice their opinions on youth books and even meet the authors of their favourite reads.
“As a result, we are seeing more and more young people reading and enjoying books, engaging with the scheme and benefitting from the programmes we run within the community.
“As an organisation, we aim to maintain the stimulus and the availability of books for the whole community.”
