Our reading group were visited today by Ed Parry, a newly published teen author. His book ‘Golem’ was out in September and most of the group have read it. They follow Staffordshire Libraries’ Young Teen Fiction Book Award – this award is owned entirely by teenagers, who are in the process of nominating books they have read. The criteria is that the book has to be written for teens and first published in 2019/20. In early March, Staffordshire Libraries will announce the short list and we will find out which six books are the most popular in the county. The winner of this prestigious award will be announced in July, when our youngsters have read all six books and cast one more vote for their overall favourite book.
As well as meeting the group and signing books for the students, Ed was interested in their opinion of his work. He told them a little of his life story and explained how he got ‘Golem’ published. They told him they had all nominated his book for the award and they are eager to read the sequel, which he is now working on. Will he appear on the shortlist in March? ………. if our students had their way he would!