UKLA Book Awards winners

The winners of the UKLA Book Awards - the only awards to be judged entirely by teachers - have been announced. The teacher judges look for texts that can 'enhance all aspects of literacy learning'.

The 2020 awards included a new criteria, calling for the shortlists to be selected from a 'wide and inclusive range' of publishers and for books which 'recognise a broad range of perspectives, experiences and voices'. As a result, each of the four categories have been won by an international author. UKLA President Cathy Burnett said, "We know that literature broadens the reader's experience and understanding of the world, it also enables children to walk in the shoes of others and to question and explore infinite possibilities. We are proud to be celebrating four truly outstanding international winners in 2020." The 3-6+ category has been won by Chinese-American author Arree Chung for Mixed, which also had previously won the overall Children's Book Award prize from the Federation of Children's Book Groups in 2019. This book was praised by judges for tackling challenging themes, such as racism and prejudice, in a way that does not scare or confuse children and yet worked effectively across the whole primary age range. The 7-10+ category was won by debut American author Alyssa Hollingsworth, with The Eleventh Trade. She said, "I am so honoured that The Eleventh Trade has been chosen for the UKLA Award for 7-10+. Sami's story is about the power of community to spread hope, and I'm deeply moved by the number of readers who have joined him on his journey. Judges admired the light touch and sensitive handling of the horrors that refugee Sami fled from and helping children understand the barriers he faces in a 'safe' country. Canadian author Susin Nielsen chalked up a second UKLA award in the 11-14+ category for No Fixed Address, which judges valued for the way it humanised the hard-hitting subject of homelessness. She had previously won with The Secret Diary of Henry K Larson in 2017. Susin said, "I am over the moon at this honour! I feel like I've always had a special connection with the UK, and it tickles me to no end that my novels seem to 'travel well' to your neck of the woods. "And speaking of travel, I also long for the day when I can come for a visit again ... and possibly celebrate this lovely award in person. A huge thanks to all of the teachers, librarians, students and others for all of your hard work - awards like this have a huge impact, not just for authors but also for readers - another way to get kids excited about books!" Counting on Katherine by another Canadian author, Helaine Becker, winning the new Information Books category with a biography of Katherine Johnson. This celebrates not just women in science and maths, but a black woman in science and maths. The judges also Highly Commended Child of St Kilda by debut British author and illustrator Beth Waters for a "wonderfully illustrated, poignant and topical story of a threatened community and lost way of life". Some 70 teachers from around Oxford and in Renfrewshire chose this year's shortlists. The 12 judges, nominated from their number, selected the winners. For UKLA, giving classroom practitioners the opportunity to read a number of new quality children's books is as important as finding an overall winner. 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 the funding to purchase them when they do. Student teachers from universities around the UK have also been taking part in Shadowing the awards and as a result of the COVID- 19 challenges this was also opened to schools and teachers across the UK.The Shadowing period has been extended into the Autumn term to enable the shadowers to share the books with their children in school. If permitted, the Shadowing winners will be announced at a celebration of the 2020 Book Awards in November 2020. About the Winning Books The winning book in the 11-14+ category is No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen (Andersen Press) Felix Knutsson is nearly 13, lives with his mother and pet gerbil Horatio, and is brilliant at memorising facts and trivia. So far, pretty normal. But Felix and his mom Astrid have a secret: they are living in a van. Astrid promises it's only for a while until she finds a new job, and begs Felix not to breathe a word about it. So when Felix starts at a new school, he does his very best to hide the fact that most of his clothes are in storage, he only showers weekly at the community centre, and that he doesn't have enough to eat. When his friends Dylan and Winnie ask to visit, Felix always has an excuse. The winning book in the 7-10+ category is The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth (Piccadilly Press) When his grandfather's most-prized possession - a traditional Afghan instrument called a rebab - is stolen, Sami resolves to get it back. He finds it at a music store, but it costs $700, and Sami doesn't have even one penny. What he does have is a keychain that has caught the eye of his classmate. If he trades the keychain for something more valuable, could he keep trading until he has $700?. It's only going to be possible if Sami is prepared to accept help. The winning book for the 3 to 6+ category is Mixed by Arree Chung (Macmillan) A tale of difference and acceptance. The Blues, Reds and Yellows lived in harmony. Reds were the loudest, Yellows the brightest and Blues were the coolest. However, when one of the colours proclaims they are the best, discord breaks out and eventually the colours decide to live in different parts of the city. Then one day a Yellow befriends a Blue and they become inseparable, discovering a world of different possibilities and colours. The winning book in the Information Books 3-14+ category is Counting on Katherine written by Helaine Becker, illus Dow Phumiruk (Macmillan) This is the inspirational, true story of Katherine Johnson - the mathematical genius who saved Apollo 13 and ensured the astronauts returned home when the mission was in critical danger. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations throughout, this book is the perfect introduction to the trailblazing African-American who defied the boundaries of race and gender Highly Commended in the Information Books 3-14+ category is Child of St Kilda by Beth Waters (Child's Play) Norman John Gillies was one of the last children ever born on St Kilda, five years before the whole population was evacuated forever to the British mainland. People had lived on these islands for over four thousand years, developing a thriving, tightly-knit society that knew nothing of crime or money, and took care of its weakest members without hesitation. At the mercy of the seasons and the elements, a unique lifestyle evolved, based around resilience, mutual trust and caring. The Shortlists in full 3-6+ Mixed written and illustrated by Arree Chung (Macmillan) The Suitcase written and illustrated by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros (Nosy Crow) Lubna and Pebble written by Wendy Meddour illustrated by Daniel Egneus (OUP) Julian is a Mermaid written and illustrated by Jessica Love (Walker Books) If All the World Were.. written by Joseph Coelho illustrated by Allison Colpoys (Frances Lincoln) The Visitor written and illustrated by Antje Damm translated by Sally-Anne Spencer (Gecko Press) 7-10+ Slick written by M.M.Vaughan ( Alma Books) The Eleventh Trade written by Alyssa Hollingsworth (Piccadilly Press) Race to the Frozen North written by Catherine Johnson, illustrated by Katie Hickie (Barrington Stoke) The Legend of Kevin written and illustrated by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre (OUP) The Middler written by Kirsty Applebaum (Nosy Crow) Armistice Runner written by Tom Palmer (Barrington Stoke) 11-14+ No Fixed Address written by Susin Nielsen (Andersen Press) Toffee written by Sarah Crossan (Bloomsbury) Catching Teller Crow written by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullin (Penguin) Lenny's Book of Everything written by Karen Foxlee (Pushkin Press) The Skylarks' War written by Hilary McKay (Macmillan) Pay Attention Carter Jones written by Gary D. Schmidt (Andersen Press) Information Books 3-14+ Mary and Frankenstein written by Linda Bailey, illus Julia Sarda (Andersen Press) A Book of Bears by Katie Viggers (Laurence King) A Child of St. Kilda by Beth Waters (Child's Play) Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker, illus Dow Phumiruck (Macmillan) Questions I am asked about the Holocaust by Heidi Fried (Scribe) Once Upon a Raindrop written by James Carter, illus Nomoco (Caterpillar Books)