Kind Donation to York Book Award Fires Up Young Readers

The York Book Award has been given a boost by a wonderful donation by the Company of Merchant Taylors. Representative of the Company Claire Wesley came to St Peter’s School on Tuesday to hand over the nine bundles of the shortlisted books to Isla Macdonald, co-founder of the award. The generous donation provides a set of the shortlisted books for every state secondary school in York.

The York Book Award was launched in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic by librarians at All Saints RC School and St Peter’s School as a way to unite the young people of York by enabling them to celebrate and share the books that matter to them. It is aimed at Year 7 and 8 pupils, with a shortlist of five books that students read, vote for, and respond to creatively. It culminates in an award ceremony with talks from the shortlisted authors.

Last year’s winning author Ann Sei Lin, whose debut Rebel Skies won the student vote, will be hosting this year’s ceremony, and said this about the award:

“The York Book Award is a fantastic opportunity to showcase and celebrate the writing and creativity of both authors and students. It was such an honour to win the 2023 York Book Award. From the moment I entered St Peter’s, where the event was held, I could tell that this was something special.

There is no greater joy for a children’s author than to see how your words and your writing inspires young people. The creativity on display at the York Book Award, from the music to the art to the dances and creative essays, was truly amazing. It was a joy to see such enthusiasm from young readers, the wonderful support they were given by their teachers and librarians, and the passion in other authors’ as they spoke about their books.

It was a double honour to be chosen to host the next award and I know that whoever is lucky enough to be shortlisted will be blessed with a wonderful day full of eager young readers who have fostered a great love for reading and discovering new worlds. A day brimming with creative energy and a chance to celebrate not just the authors but the readers who make this job so worthwhile.”

This year’s ceremony will take place on Friday 15 March, where students from All Saints Catholic School, Bootham School, Dixons Allerton Academy, Fulford School, The Joseph Rowntree School, Manor CE Academy, Millthorpe School, St Peter’s School, Vale of York Academy, and York High School will come together to hear from the shortlisted authors and share in the joy and creativity of reading, gratefully bolstered by the donation from the Company of Merchant Taylors.