Irish Book Awards Shortlist
25/10/2012 by David Maybury · No Comments
The Irish Book Awards Shortlist was announced this morning in Dublin with a varied and impressive list of books in the running.
The Junior Children’s Book of the Year list has only four books (there are six in the Senior category), including two Bisto Book of the Year illustrators, Oliver Jeffers and Chris Haughton, as well as international bestseller Sam McBratney.
A surprise inclusion comes by way of Benji Bennett, who without the support of a large publisher, sells more books than any other picturebook author or illustrator in Ireland. This year alone Bennett’s Adam’s Greatest Inventions has sold more than four thousand copies, beating new releases by best selling stalwart Julia Donaldson. Considered a self-publishing phenomenon, Bennett has the potential to nab the prize in the public vote alone.
The Senior Children’s Book of the Year shortlist is a clash of the titans, celebrating some of Ireland’s most recognized international bestsellers. Eoin Colfer’s ultimate Artemis Fowl goes to toe with Darren Shan’s new series Zom-B and Derek Landy’s bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant. But that’s not all. The category features Judi Curtin’s Leave it to Eva, Anna Carey’s runaway hit Rebecca’s Rules and John Boyne’s adventure tale, The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket.
With so many heavyweights in the running for the senior prize it’s hard to make a call on who will be walking away with a gong. Have your say in who should win - the public voting is open now – choose your winner for the Irish Book of the Year!
Junior Children’s Book of the Year:
Guess How Much I Love You: Here, There and Everywhere - Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
Oh no, George! - Chris Haughton
Adam's Greatest Inventions - Benji Bennett
This Moose Belongs to Me - Oliver Jeffers
Senior Children’s Book of the Year:
Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian - Eoin Colfer
The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket - John Boyne
Zom-B - Darren Shan
Rebecca's Rules - Anna Carey
Leave it to Eva - Judi Curtin
Skulduggery Pleasant: Kingdom of the Wicked - Derek Landy
