York Book Awards

The York Book Award, launched by librarians at St Peter’s School and All Saints RC School advocates for the importance of libraries and librarians in schools and communities by celebrating books and the joy of reading.

On Friday 25 March, St Peter’s School hosted the award ceremony of the inaugural York Book Award in the Shepherd Hall at St Peter’s 8-13.

In this first year, pupils from Year 7 and 8 across the city read shortlisted books, voted for their favourites and took inspiration from the plots. Seventy three children from seven schools participated by writing book reviews, with 47 different creative entries submitted.

In a ceremony hosted by the Lady Mayoress of York, Joy Cullwick, pupils from All Saints RC School, Archbishop Holgate’s School, Dixons Cottingley Academy, Manor CE Academy and Vale of York Academy joined St Peter’s 8-13 pupils in the Shepherd Hall, and the Mount School joined us live on Zoom. Pupils heard from shortlisted authors, who attended the ceremony virtually.

The Lady Mayoress announced that the winning book, voted for by the pupils, was, Boy, Everywhere, by AM Dassu. Our congratulations to all the shortlisted authors – Phil Earle, Elle McNicoll, Tom Palmer, Nicola Penfold and Jamie Russell in what was a very close vote!

Prizes were also awarded to pupils for book reviews and creative entries. The Creative Prize winner was Clara from All Saints RC School for SkyWake – an invasion-inspired diorama, and the Review Prize winner was Isla from The Mount School, for her review of Where the World Turns Wild.

The pupils’ creative entries and reviews were on show in the foyer of St Peter’s 8-13, before being transferred to York Explore Library to be displayed in the children’s section.

Head Master Jeremy Walker said: “It was wonderful to have so many pupils from schools across York taking part in this excellent initiative. The joy of reading is clearly thriving and my thanks go to all those involved.”