Young book lovers meet authors shortlisted for prize at Southern Schools Book Award ceremony

Pupils who voted for their top reads in a schools literature competition have met the authors who penned their favourites.

Hurst College welcomed 300 students from Sussex schools to the Southern Schools Book Award (SSBA).

In the lead up to the event, year-nine students from all participating schools read five shortlisted books and voted for their favourite.

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Four of the final five shortlisted authors attended: M A Bennett, author of The Island; Siobhan Curham, author of Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow; Malcolm Duffy, author of Me Mam, Me Dad, Me; and Nicky Singer, author of The Survival Game.

Sarah Crossan, author of Moonrise, was unable to attend due to a prior engagement, but former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell entertained the audience throughout the evening by drawing the characters and settings as each author read aloud from their stories.

Last year’s winning author, Will Hill hosted the event, and students from different schools were invited to ask each author a question.

Will Hill was then handed the silver and gold envelopes and firstly announced the Highly Commended winner as Siobhan Curham for Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow, and then announced that M A Bennett had won the main award for The Island.

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Dominique Collins, head of library at Hurst College, said: “After the ceremony there were drinks and SSBA themed cupcakes provided for the students while they were waiting to meet the authors, and get their books signed. Many thanks to St Paul’s Catholic College for hosting us this year.”