Loons, pirates and hamsters on children’s book awards shortlist

Edinburgh author Nicola Morgan is among the writers shortlisted for the Scottish Children’s Book Awards, which were announced yesterday.

The Thomas the Tank Engine author was in the final three for the Older Readers (12 to 16 years) category for her latest novel, Wasted.

She said: “Thrilled is a bit of an understatement for how I felt when I heard I was shortlisted.

“It’s a massive honour, especially since the competition is really strong.”

She is joined by Blackhope Enigma author Teresa Flavin and Theresa Breslin, who penned Prisoner of the Inquisition, in the category.

In the Younger Readers (eight to 11 years) category, Ross MacKenzie, author of Zac and the Dream Pirates; Joan Lennon, who wrote The Case of the London Dragonfish; and There’s a Hamster in my Pocket writer Franzeska G Ewart are all shortlisted.

In the Bookbug Readers category, Ross Collins is shortlisted for Dear Vampa, Chae Strathie and Emily Golden for The Loon on the Moon, and Alison Murray for Apple Pie ABC.

Jasmine Fassl at Scottish Book Trust said: “These awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate contemporary children’s books and young fiction in Scotland, and we are particularly pleased with the hugely enthusiastic participation of children, parents and their teachers.”