The CILIP Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2019

March 16, 2019

I am very much a latecomer to the CILIP Carnegie awards, having come across it in my previous post because our Librarian annually created a Shadowing Group. As always seems to be the case, there is just SO MUCH happening within schools, that it’s nigh on impossible to keep track of everything. It is only now, as I have decided to make my career more flexible, that I have comfortably been able to take the time to really see what all the fuss is about. As far as I am concerned, anything which reinforces the importance of enjoying education is a winner!

Eight novels have been shortlisted for the award, and it only takes a quick glance at the covers and titles to know that this is a competition for heavyweights: Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give is indicative of the quality of story-telling to be encountered here. As the only book on the list I have read (See my October post about it here: https://groutysguide.co.uk/blogs/news/black-history-month-issues-with-representation-in-the-school-curriculum), its presence alone compels me to read the rest.

Engaging novels are by no means hard to come across for children and young adults, but having the time as a teacher to read them is little more than a pipe dream. Now that I work as a local and online English Tutor in Bristol, BANEs and South Gloucestershire, I have found that I am able to read more of these such books, and therefore am better able to make recommendations to the students I work with and their parents and carers.

The Shortlist is as follows:

Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans
After the Fire by Will Hill
Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean
Rook by Anthony McGowan
Release by Patrick Ness
Saint Death by Marcus Sedgwick
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Parents and carers often ask how they can support their children’s learning in English at home, at the shadowing of this award is a perfect remedy: the best English revision there is, is reading. Reading improves your reading (shocker!) and is the best place to find writing inspiration. This year, I have decided to set a personal Grouty’s Guide challenge to read the remaining 7 books on the shortlist. I hope some of you will join me and I’d love to have a conversation about your reading if you do!