Posted on Tuesday 21st June 2022
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture
Young readers from across Staffordshire will gather in force at a top Midland’s venue for the grand finale of their annual book award.
The Royal Air Force Museum, Midlands will once again play host to Staffordshire Libraries Young Teen Fiction Award celebration day.
The campaign, now in its seventeenth year, is designed to encourage the county’s young people to enjoy reading books and to share their enthusiasm with others.
Hundreds of 11 to 14 year olds, who either live or go to school in Staffordshire, or use Staffordshire Libraries have been voting for their favourite reads since last September.
This year, as part of the Celebration Day activities, pupils will be participating in a YTF Masters quiz. Schools will field teams to answer questions on the 6 shortlisted titles. Schools have also provided content for an updated online YTF Escape Room
Victoria Wilson, Staffordshire’s Libraries Chief said:
“We’re all very excited about this year’s event and once again it’s great to be hosting it at RAF Museum, Midlands which is a great venue.
“The day will give young bookworms a great chance to celebrate the best in teen fiction and to cast their final votes. It’s a really popular initiative and young people say taking part makes them feel part of a wider reading community that goes beyond the school book club.
“As a county council, we’ve always recognised the importance of encouraging youngsters to read for pleasure and helping them to become effective, independent learners. There’s still time to vote online before the Celebration Day in July, so why not check out the shortlist and vote for your favourite to get the gong!”
The Young Teen Fiction Award Celebration Day is at The RAF Museum, Midlands on Tuesday 5th July. The closing date for online voting will be 24th June at 5pm. People can find out more at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/ytf.
The six shortlisted titles for the Young Teen Fiction Award 2022 are:
- Rules For Vampires by Alex Foulkes
- When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle
- Arctic Star by Tom Palmer
- All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue
- Between the Sea and the Sky by Nicola Penfold
- The Broken Raven by Joseph Elliott
Three of the shortlisted authors will join the Celebration on the Day - Alex Foulkes, Nicola Penfold and Joseph Elliott.
In addition, schools are invited to propose up to two students to receive the accolade of YTF Reading Champion. This prestigious award will be presented at Celebration Day by the visiting authors and will include the awarding of an enamel badge and certificate. This year the award is for young people who have started to develop or made progress in developing their love of reading for pleasure, through taking part in YTF.
Shortlisted author, Joseph Elliott said:
“It is such an honour to be a part of the Staffordshire Young Teen Fiction Award, and I'm thrilled that children all over the county have been enjoying my books. I can't wait to meet the pupils on the upcoming 'Celebration Day' - as an author there's nothing better than connecting with new readers and inspiring the next generation of writers.”
Alex Foulkes said:
"I'm honoured to have taken part in the Young Teen Fiction Award for years as a school librarian in Staffordshire - and now to be returning as a Staffordshire author! YTF, a fabulous celebration of reading for enjoyment, was an important milestone in my writing journey. It inspired me to stand up, be brave and fight to get Rules for Vampires out there.”
Nicola Penfold said:
“Any program that encourages reading is great, but I think a young teen award is particularly important. It's a time in their lives when young people can stop reading, and we need to show them the vast and diverse array of stories that exist for their age group. A love of reading, if nurtured, can grow with the reader and be a life-long gift. It is mine!”