The Branford Boase Award was set up in memory of outstanding author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase of Walker Books, who both died in 1999, and is unique in honouring editor as well as author. Over its 20+ years in existence, winners and shortlisted authors include Siobhan Dowd, Meg Rosoff, Mal Peet, Philip Reeve, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Frances Hardinge, Patrick Ness and Marcus Sedgwick.
The Award is made annually to the most promising book for 7+ by a first-time novelist. The shortlist is announced in May each year and the website features interviews with authors etc
CLPE have produced fabulous teaching notes to accompany past winners http://www.branfordboaseaward.org.uk
The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition runs in conjunction with the Branford Boase. The competition is open to anyone aged 19 or under. Each year there are hundreds of entries from all over the country, often thanks to the encouragement of teachers and school librarians, who can download a poster to display to encourage children to take part. Entrants have to complete a story begun by the winning author of the previous year’s Branford Boase Award. Winning stories can be read on the website.
| Winner: Ellie Pillai is Brown by Christine Pillainayagam (Faber. ISBN 978-0571366910) Authentic, fresh, original and funny coming of age tale, this sparkling debut is a joyous portrayal of a witty, smart Sri Lankan teen whose confidence blossoms as she overcomes emotional hurdles, with a little help from friends and from music (QR codes allow you to listen to Ellie’s soundtrack). A powerful exploration of identity, friendship and family with music threaded all the way through and skilfully combines moments of real pathos with genuine hilarity. Judges said “a wonderfully lyrical book about the messy teenage years”. |  |
