Costa winner!

Congratulations to Frances Hardinge for winning the overall Costa prize!

It's only the second time in the Costa's 30 year history that the Costa has been won by a children's author (Philip Pullman won the first time). If you haven't read any of her stories yet, see what her beguiling writing style is like at http://www.franceshardinge.com/ You'll be hooked!

Betjeman Poetry Prize

Another competition! This time for budding poets, aged 10-13. Write a poem on the theme of 'place' and enter before the end of July to be in with a chance of winning £500.

Tips for young poets and details of the competition can be found here:
www.betjemanpoetryprize.co.uk/

500 words competition

Do you have what it takes to write a unique, interesting and engaging piece of creative writing to enter in the national competition, 500 words?

Do you want your story to be read by a superstar celebrity live on the radio to nearly 10 million people?

If so, the 500 words competition is for you!

There are lots of resources to help you on the 500 words website and, who knows, you may win Chris Evans' height in books!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00rfvk1

The Jungle Book

The trailer for Disney's remake of The Jungle Book gives a flavour of this CGI adventure story and the lush Indian flora and fauna. There's still time to read the book before the film arrives in April.

Peters Book of the Year

The shortlists for Peters Book of the Year have been published. Peters' team of librarians read and review all the books they stock and compile the shortlists across 3 categories. Voting is now open (closes on 11th March 2016) so it's time for all keen readers to get involved. Find more details, including reviews and how to vote, on the Peters website: http://www.petersbooks.co.uk/pboty/

Reading Hack

Share and celebrate your love of reading via Reading Hack, a new website from the Reading Agency.

Create your own hacks, meet new people, build your skills and inspire others to read.

http://readinghack.org.uk/ 

Congratulations to Frances Hardinge who has recently won the Costa Children's Book Award for The Lie Tree. This gothic fantasy brings us another of Hardinge's unforgettable heroines and is woven around the idea of lies giving you the power to discover other people's secrets. A brilliant murder mystery with a difference!
http://www.franceshardinge.com/index.html

Concentr8

Troy, Blaze, Karen, Femi and Lee are all seen as troubled kids with no chance of a future. They've been taking Concentr8 for their 'ADHD' like most of the disadvantaged youth where they live. Then the government decides to stop prescribing the drugs; rioting, looting and chaos follow whilst the 5 friends get involved in hostage-taking.

A great story that looks at the reasons behind recent riots. Thought-provoking, gripping, controversial. If you enjoy reading Patrick Ness and Malorie Blackman, this one's for you.
Read the first chapter on the Guardian Children's Books site.

Film night

Film, games, pizza and cake…ingredients for a perfect evening’s entertainment for the Kimbookworms. Some of the Readers’ Group stayed on in the library after school yesterday to enjoy a mystery film, chosen randomly by playing a ‘Would you rather..?’ game. ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ was the film that exploded out of the balloon in a shower of stars; a superb adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' award-winning fantasy story.