The shortlist for the UKLA book awards 2020 were announced earlier this week. This year, teachers involved in selecting titles for the shortlists, had to consider new criteria which aimed to ensure that the titles chosen reflected a diverse range of voices. And so, it is not surprising that themes of inclusion and empathy feature in many of the shortlisted books. Due to the current COVID19 pandemic, the date that the winners will be announced has not yet been revealed. But in the meantime, here are the shortlisted books that you can share with your class/children.
3-6
Mixed written and illustrated by Arree Chung
The Suitcase written and illustrated by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Lubna and Pebble written by Wendy Meddour illustrated by Daniel Egnéus
Julian is a Mermaid written and illustrated by Jessica Love
If All the World Were.. written by Joseph Coelho illustrated by Allison Colpoys
The Visitor written and illustrated by Antje Damm translated by Sally-Anne Spencer
7-10+
Slick written by M.M.Vaughan
The Eleventh Trade written by Alyssa Hollingsworth
Race to the Frozen North written by Catherine Johnson, illustrated by Katie Hickie
The Legend of Kevin written and illustrated by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
The Middler written by Kirsty Applebaum
Armistice Runner written by Tom Palmer
11-14+
No Fixed Address written by Susin Nielsen
Toffee written by Sarah Crossan
Catching Teller Crow written by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullin
Lenny’s Book of Everything written by Karen Foxlee
The Skylark’s War written by Hilary McKay
Pay Attention Carter Jones written by Gary D. Schmidt
Information Books 3 -14+
Mary and Frankenstein written by Linda Bailey and illustrated by Jũlia Sardὰ,
A Book of Bears written and illustrated by Katie Viggers
A Child of St. Kilda written and illustrated by Beth Waters
Counting on Katherine written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruck
Questions I am asked about the Holocaust written by Heidi Fried
Once Upon a Raindrop written by James Carter and illustrated by Nomoco
In other news, the Children’s Book Award has been extended and voting will remain open until September. The awards ceremony has been rescheduled to take place on 10th October.
And Nosy Crow have published a digital book for primary school children which explains the coronavirus and answers key questions about it. Illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the information book is freely available on the Nosy Crow website and has been already downloaded over 100,000 times.