Teacher's Dead wins the 2009 Doncaster Book Award

The 2008-09 Doncaster Book Award has been won by Benjamin Zephaniah's groundbreaking novel Teacher's Dead. The winner was announced at the grand finale of the award at Doncaster Civic Theatre on Friday 13th February. The runner-up was Michael Morpurgo's Born to Run.

We now have a full report and photos from the 2009 Final.

Some of your comments about Teacher's Dead:

  • "At first when you read this book everything seems black and white, good guy, bad guy. However, as you progress through the book, you realise that life isn't that simple. Some of the things people have done were the result of the actions of others. The story shows that you shouldn't judge people on things that you have heard about them or on stereotypes."
    — Amelia, Year 9, North Doncaster Technology College
  • "Teacher's Dead is a story that makes you think the ‘Who, What, Where, When, Why, How’ thing. First it tells you what happened at the crime scene. Then, for the rest of the book, it gives you the information that lets you know everything that happened about the murder, like fixing the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. I think it's very mysterious because you don't know what you're going to know next until you read it!
    — Charlotte, Year 8, Hayfield School
  • "I thought this book had a great view on real, everyday life... When reading this book I felt as if it pulled me in and I lived life as the protagonist... I think this book is amazing, a complete mind blower... it definitely gets ten out of ten from me."
    – David, Hatfield High School Visual Arts College
  • "You will pick up my review and look at it and see all the spelling errors and say some average girl reading an average book. This is not an average book, this is a fantastic book that wants to gobble you up and swallow you whole and even belch at the end. I may be only eleven but I know a winner when I see one!"
    – Leonie, Year 6, Saltergate Primary School

This is the fifth year of the Doncaster Book Award - the local award that puts you, the reader, in the driving seat.

Darren ShanAnd what a year it's been! Our official launch took place on Friday, 10th October at the Civic Theatre, Doncaster. In attendance was none other than the master of shock-horror, Darren Shan. Darren's books are hugely popular with Doncaster's readers. We have a report and photos from the launch.

What's New?

World Book Day Comic Art and Illustration Workshops: In celebration of World Book Day, the Doncaster Book Award committee organised some workshops focusing on illustrations in books and comics. On 2nd March, comedian, writer, producer and comic artist Kev F Sutherland led two workshops for secondary pupils (Full Report and Photos). The following day, illustrator and writer Liz Million held an illustrator's workshop for primary school pupils (Full Report and Photos).

Murder in the Library: A body outline has appeared, with clues all around... but no body. So... who has been MURDERED and who, or what, is responsible? Led by Ms Lesley Hurworth, the detectives of Danum School found out... see our full report and photo gallery!

Heroes of the Valley author visits Doncaster, 19th Janurary 2009: Jonathan Stroud visited Armthorpe School. We have a full report and photo gallery.

Don Valley and Ridgewood Students Bond over this Year's Shortlist, 9th January 2009: Students from Ridgewood School Readers' Group came to Don Valley for a drama workshop based on this year's shortlist. See our full report and photos for more details!

A Christmas Cracker at Cusworth Hall, 22nd December 2008: Our special Christmas Roald Dahl event at Cusworth Hall was a huge success. We have a full report and photos!

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED The 2008-09 shortlist was announced on 15th December. The full list can be seen in the panel on the right. This year there are seven titles as there was a tie on the voting!

6th December 2008: Doncaster readers enjoyed a fantastic trip to Seven Stories Museum of the Children's Book in Newcastle. We have a full report.

Our Roald Dahl Poster Competition has been won by Liam from Hexthorpe Primary School. View report and newspaper article

25th/26th November 2008: Students from Sunnyfields, Bentley High Street and Bentley New Village primaries joined Don Valley Readers' Group for a fabulous two days inspired by the longlist. View Report and Photos

21st November 2008: Derek Landy, winner of the 2007-08 Doncaster Book Award for Skulduggery Pleasant, visited the Civic Theatre to collect his prize. View Report and Photos and newspaper-style reports written by pupils from Sunnyfields Primary School

What's on the List?

Check out our long list, which as always really does have something for everyone. Other ghostly titles include The Icy Hand (Something Wickedly Weird) by Chris Mould, and Alan Gibbons' truly terrifying Scared to Death. Fantasy is as popular as ever too, with Ironhand by Charlie Fletcher and Eoin Colfer's Airman making the list. Another firm favourite, Robert Muchamore, is back too, with Mad Dogs from the CHERUB series, and the latest 'Young Bond' adventure, Hurricane Gold, will keep your pulses racing. We've got animals, Born to Run, fabulous illustrations, Ottoline Goes to School, an ego-maniac toilet Queen Victoria's Potty (Superloo), and we've even got Doctor Who! You are guaranteed to find something you'll like. Don't be shy - let us know what you think by posting a review.

How can I join in?

Want to know if your school is involved? Then look at the list further below, and speak to your librarian or teacher. Not on there? Then don't despair, just go along to your local library, or to Waterstone's bookshop in the Frenchgate Centre. Voting has closed for this year, but you can still read your way through the longlist and send us your reviews!

Enjoy!

Lyn Hopson, Secretary, Doncaster Book Award

Schools Taking Part

The following secondary schools are taking part in the 2008-2009 Doncaster Book Award:

  • Armthorpe School
  • Balby Carr Community Sports College
  • Danum School Technology College
  • Don Valley School and Performing Arts College
  • Hall Cross School
  • Hatfield High School Visual Arts College
  • Hayfield School
  • Hungerhill School
  • McAuley Catholic High School
  • Mexborough School
  • North Doncaster Technology College
  • Northcliffe School
  • Ridgewood School
  • Rossington All Saints School

The following primary/junior schools are taking part in 2008-2009. We hope that they enjoy reading the books, having their say on the website, and, of course, voting!

  • Adwick Park Junior School
  • Arksey Primary School
  • Auckley Primary School
  • Balby Street Primary School
  • Barnburgh Primary School
  • Bawtry Mayflower Primary School
  • Bentley High Street Primary School
  • Bentley New Village Primary School
  • Bessacarr Primary School
  • Branton St Wilfrid's Primary School
  • Canon Popham Primary School
  • Conisbrough Ivanhoe Primary School
  • Conisbrough Morley Place Junior School
  • Conisbrough Station Road Primary School
  • Crooksbroom Primary School
  • Denaby Main Primary School
  • Doncaster Road Junior School, Mexborough
  • Dunsville Primary School
  • Edenthorpe Hall Primary School
  • Edlington Victoria Primary School
  • Estfeld Primary
  • Finningley Primary School
  • Hatchell Wood Primary School
  • Hatfield Manor Junior School
  • Hatfield Sheep Dip Primary School
  • Hatfield Woodhouse Primary School
  • Hawthorne Primary School
  • Hayfield Lane Primary School
  • Hexthorpe Primary School
  • Holy Family Primary School
  • Intake Primary School
  • Kingfisher Primary School
  • Lakeside Primary School
  • Longtoft Primary School
  • Mallard Primary School
  • Mexborough St John’s Primary School
  • Montagu School, Mexborough
  • Norton Junior School
  • Owston Primary School
  • Plover Primary School
  • St Albans Primary School
  • Saltersgate Primary School
  • Sandringham Primary School
  • Southfield Primary
  • St Peter's Catholic Primary School
  • Stirling Primary School
  • Sunnyfields Primary School
  • Sycamore Primary School
  • Thorne Brooke Primary School
  • Thorne King Edward Primary School
  • Toll Bar Primary School
  • Town Field Primary School
  • Town Moor Primary
  • Tranmoor Primary School
  • Woodfield Primary

If any other schools are interested, they should contact Lyn Hopson via Don Valley School and Performing Arts College.

Last Year's Award

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek LandyLast year (2007-2008), the Doncaster Book Award was won by Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant. The winner was announced at the final award ceremony in March 2008. In a message, Derek Landy expressed his delight that Skulduggery Pleasant had won.

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