Thanks to a tip from my friend Farah, I got hold of today’s Guardian to find an article about this year’s competition. Young critics (aged from 8 to 16) have been “shadowing” the award and the article is about their impressions of the books.
“Bad Blood is a chilling read, not to be read after dark…” warns Nancy Netherwood of Rhiannon Lassiter’s dark family tale shot through with hints from the supernatural. Not that it deterred her. Nancy loved the clever plotting and strong characters, describing it as an “incredible book, combining modern family troubles with a world of sinister magic”. Tommie Hassall, from Westbourne School, was also gripped. “The book’s pace is riveting. It holds the reader in the haunting world of the supernatural but does not shy away from the reality of the modern-day family, homosexuality and mental illness.”
I’m going to the award ceremony tomorrow so more news will be forthcoming soon, including the name of the winner. I should also be meeting some of the young critics so I’ll look out for Nancy and Tommie there. Nancy in particular has a name that makes Bad Blood a very suitable choice for her…
.jpg "Waterstones signing")
On Saturday 6th of September, I went to the Waterstones in Witney, Oxfordshire, to sign copies of my books. As well as Mary Hoffman, authors Sarah Singleton and Mark Robson were present signing copies of their books.