2021 UKLA Awards winners announced

The winners of the 2021 UKLA Awards, the only national awards judged by class teachers, have been announced!

While the entire judging process had to be conducted online for this year's award, with the judging panel only meeting and discussing the titles virtually, the impassioned discussions demonstrated the impact that quality texts can have upon the teacher judges and the students in their classes.

Research carried out by members of UKLA (Cremin et al 2008) clearly demonstrated the links between teachers' knowledge of children's books and the likelihood of pupils becoming successful readers. Despite this evidence, teachers are seldom given time to read new books or funding to purchase them when they do.

The judging criteria call for the selection to be from a "wide and inclusive range" of publishers and for books which "recognise a broad range of perspectives, experiences and voices" and this is reflected in all four categories with themes of diversity, inclusion, empathy, inspiration and own voices all represented amongst books which have proved so effective in engaging readers.

The 3-6+ category has been won by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola's debut title Look Up! (Puffin).This was praised by judges for its ambitious, intelligent and inspiring female lead and as a story which sparked recognition for its relatable message and prompted intense discussion amongst the children who selected it to be read on a daily basis in classrooms. The judges also wished to Highly Commend Tibble and Grandpa by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egnéus (Oxford) to reflect how moved children and adults were by this touching intergenerational tale of loss and resilience.

The 7-10+ category winner is Check Mates by Stewart Foster (Simon & Schuster), which the judges praised as a beautifully crafted and empathetic tale, and one which showed deep perception of characters and relationships and gave a sensitive portrayal of ADHD. It made complex ideas accessible, challenged stereotypes and was entirely unsentimental. Once again in a tightly contested category the judges also wished to Highly Commend Owen and the Soldier by Lisa Williamson (Barrington Stoke) , which deals so movingly with grief, remembrance and mental health in such a short and highly accessible format.

For the first time in the 11-14+ category the judges felt compelled to award Joint winners. Both Run Rebel by Manjeet Mann (Penguin) and The Last Paper Crane by Kerry Drewery (Hot Key) were considered so exceptional that both deserved the highest accolade. The extraordinary verse novel, Run Rebel, by debut British author Manjeet Mann, was praised for its complex representation, universal themes, and visceral emotional impact. The powerful Hiroshima survivor story, The Last Paper Crane by Kerry Drewery was praised for its sensitive and compassionate handling of history, the enriching discussion that it provoked and for the fact that it was so cleverly constructed with the use of different text formats and with the illustration by Natsuo Seki enriching the emotional impact.

The judges were unanimous in their choice of winner for the category of Information Books 3- 14+. The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson ( Andersen), uniquely, could be creatively used across the whole age range and provide multiple impetus for further study. A book that is both beautiful and important, delivering universal messages with such powerful impact.

The UKLA Awards Shortlists in full

3-6
Look Up! Written by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola, Dapo (Puffin)
Brenda is a Sheep written and illustrated by Morag Hood (Two Hoots)
Tibble and Grandpa written by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Daniel Egnéus (Oxford)
I'm Not (Very) Afraid of the Dark written by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Daniel Riley (Usborne)
It's a No Money Day written and illustrated by Kate Milner (Barrington Stoke)
One Fox: a Counting Thriller written and illustrated by Kate Read (Two Hoots)

7-10+
The Highland Falcon Thief written by M.G.Leonard and Sam Sedgeman, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli(Macmillan)
The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates written by Jenny Pearson, illustrated by Rob Biddulph (Usborne)
Owen and the Soldier written by Lisa Thompson, illustrated by Mark Lowery (Barrington Stoke)
Check Mates written by Stewart Foster (Simon & Schuster)
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant written by Nizrana Farook (Nosy Crow)
Lori and Max written by Catherine O'Flynn (Firefly Press)

11-14+
Run Rebel written by Manjeet Mann (Penguin)
Burn written by Patrick Ness (Walker)
Clap When You Land written by Elizabeth Acevedo (Hot Key)
The Last Paper Crane written by Kerry Drewery, illustrated by Natsko Seki (Hot Key)
Bearmouth written by Liz Hyder(Pushkin)
The Enigma Game written by Elizabeth Wein (Bloomsbury)

Information Books 3 -14+
Big Ideas for Young Thinkers written by Jamia Wilson, illustrated by AndreaPippins (Wide Eyed Editions)
The Missing written by Michael Rosen (Walker)
The Apartment written by Alexandra Litvina, translated by Antonia Bouis and illustrated by Anna Desnitskaya (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
Exquisite: The Life and Poetry of Gwendoline Brooks written by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Cozbi Cabrera (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
The Undefeated written by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Andersen Press)
Hidden Planet written and illustrated by Ben Rothery (Ladybird)