St Peter's School Launches the York Book Award

A new children’s book award has been launched for schools in York and surrounding areas to engage pupils in reading in an exciting and positive way. 

The York Book Award, launched by librarians at St Peter’s School, York and All Saints RC School, aims to advocate for the importance of school librarians in their schools and communities by celebrating books and the joy of reading. 

School librarians in York were asked to nominate books between September and November last year, and a shortlist was announced in December 2021 including Boy, Everywhere by A. M. Dassu, A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll, Where the World Turns Wild by Nicola Penfold, When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle, After the War by Tom Palmer and SkyWake Invasion by Jamie Russell.  

Pupils are now being asked to read and review the shortlisted books, which have all been published since January 2020, and vote for their favourites before 1 March. The award is focused on pupils in Year 7 and Year 8, and prizes will be available for Best Review and Best Artistic Piece inspired by a shortlisted book, including video, visual arts and creative writing.  

The award has been launched by Amy Wong and Isla Macdonald, Librarians at St Peter’s School, York, and Sarah Firm, Librarian at All Saints RC School. They said: “We know that books have the power to change lives and that reading is a positive force for academic success and personal wellbeing. We have created the York Book Award because we want to unite the young people of our city by enabling them to celebrate and share the books that matter to them. 

“With competitions and an awards ceremony at St Peter’s School to look forward to, we hope to inspire inclusive reading journeys that will broaden horizons and opportunities, creating something positive following eighteen months of restricted life.”  

The plan is to celebrate with a special award ceremony at St Peter’s School on Friday 25 March, with shortlisted authors invited to attend. 

The Award is open to all schools within the York Outer Ring Road. Any school interested in participating in the award should contact [email protected]