Looking back at this year's internal book awards as The Carnegie Medal "Shadowing" launches
Carnegie Medal Shadowing is a process our library enjoys every year. Parents can follow updates on our student judging group through the library's Instagram (@northacadlib). In the meantime, this article is looking back over the two amazing internal book awards organised by Mrs Sullivan this year. Both awards had student judges reading the shortlisted books and looking at the award criteria. In the autumn term, the Diverse Book Award highlighted the best new books featuring diversity and inclusion in their storyline, looking at which book best represented the diversity of its characters and their journey. In the spring term, the Silly Book Cup set the funniest books against each other in a hilarious race for laughs and giggles.
Diverse Book Award
In October 2024, our school library launched a new internal book award, The Diverse Book Award. The aim was to find a book that best reflects the diversity within its characters, plot, and dialogue. Mrs Sullivan compiled a long list of books featuring different cultures, disabilities and neurodiverse characters, some of which were completely new to our library. Many of these books have been nominated for or won external diversity awards.
During an initial taster session, which was open to all, students who wished to join individually chose their top three books and were asked to speculate on the diversity within each story. Mrs Sullivan compiled a shortlist based on these choices, and each student was gifted a copy of the book, their first-choice book, which they would then be reading. The shortlist consisted of This Book Kills by Ravena Guron, The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze, Boy Like Me by Simon James Green, The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, Glow Up, Lara Bloom: The Secret Diary of a Teenage Catastrophe! by Dee Benson and Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton.
The book club has been tracking their progress on a display board in the library for all to see. Since starting the book club, many students have asked if they can join next time.
The Winner and the Runner-ups
In December 2024, the book club readers prepared and carried out a presentation about their book, highlighting how diversity was explored within the story. Students cast their vote, including why the book they're voting for should win the Diverse Book Award.
The Diverse Book Award 2024 winner is Glow Up, Lara Bloom: The Secret Diary of a Teenage Catastrophe! by Dee Benson. The voters said:
"It shows that our differences unite us, and we shouldn't change for others and instead should love our uniqueness."
"Diversity is shown in so many ways - through ethnicity, lifestyle & appearance. Fabulous presentation by the team."
"This book shows diversity in many different ways."
"It shows how people with different ethnicities can connect and how people's lives can be culturally different."
"Because it fits the theme of diversity perfectly. It shows the differences between people and can also bring them together.
The first runner-up was Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton. It is a story about gay relationships and gay identity, which are shown through different challenges, transitions, and help from others. It shows how not everyone is the same.
The second runner-up was The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow. It shows the diversity of ethnicity and family size, and this gives the characters different perspectives on life.
Weekly Activities
We are so proud of our student readers and their determination to judge the books and look at the characters, setting and plot. One of our most successful activities was students making mid-maps and being encouraged to use descriptive words to identify diversity within the characters and setting. The team of the week for outstanding work were the readers of The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze. Here are their wonderful descriptions of the setting and characters:
"Beach - Sanctuary, Quiet, Sandy"
"Water - Untamed, Unknown, Deceptive"
"Holiday Home - Crowded, Preserved, Mysterious, Lonely"
"Ginika - Gullible, Curious, Smart"
"Grandparents - Suspicious, Secretive"
"Peri - Secretive, Rebellious, Free"
The results of the weekly activities were posted on the library display board for all our library visitors to see. We are so proud of all our students who participated, showing all our school values throughout, especially tolerance and respect for each other and the book characters.
Students Experience
In the last session, Mrs Sullivan led a debate about the good, the bad and the even better if. This was an opportunity for students to reflect on their experience and suggest any changes for future book clubs and book awards.