Grampian Children's Book Award 2015 & Aberdeenshire Schools Tour

Self portrait on Stonehaven beach.

Back in the attic after a fantastic week in Scotland for the Grampian Children's Book Award, plus a tour of schools in and around Aberdeenshire. It's the third year I've been lucky enough to be shortlisted for the award (last year Waiting for Gonzo actually won!) and my third Scottish tour. I always have a great time visiting 'The Shire' and this year was one of the best yet.

GCBA posters by students at Bridge of Don Academy.

The GCBA award ceremony at Aberdeen University on Wednesday was attended by nearly six hundred staff and students from schools all over the region, some of whom had travelled long distances to be there. Cathy MacPhail was a great host, and I was honoured to be sharing the stage with her, and fellow shortlisted authors, Kevin Brooks and James Dawson. 

The students had all read the books, written reviews, drawn posters (see pic above) and made book trailers for the shortlisted titles. Congratulations to James Dawson, whose chiller thriller Say Her Name was voted the winner. 

As always at these events, it was really inspiring to be in a room with so many enthusiastic young readers (and writers). Respect and thanks to the students and staff at all the schools, and to the GCBA team for making it all possible.

My GCBA books haul, including the winning title "Say Her Name".

I'd also like to take the opportunity to say a few thank yous to the staff and students at the schools I visited on my tour. S1, Gill and Liz at Bridge of Don Academy, who kicked things off on Tuesday morning; Jan, Kerry and Linda, and S1 students at Torry; Mandy, Karen, Jenny, Sarah and S2 students—who produced some great work during our workshop—at Northfield Academy. Thanks to Mandy and S3 at Ellon Academy; Katie, Kerry and S1 at The Gordon Schools, and Jackie at Alford. Finally, thanks to Jill and her team at Mearns in Laurencekirk, plus a special thanks to Daniel who was at the workshop I ran during my first visit to Mearns in 2013. (see pic) I was really chuffed that he took the time to stop by in the library to say hello.

Daniel (far left), me, and Mearns' students in our younger days!

At the risk of the thanks being longer than the tour, much appreciation also to Marion for organising EVERYTHING, and to Liz, Jan, Katrina, Marion, Katie, Jackie and Jill for taking turns to drive the tour bus—thanks all for your company. Apologies if I've missed anyone.

When visiting places, I like to sample the local cuisine.
I didn't actually try the deep fried Mars, but the fish supper was grand!

As was this ROWIE. Thanks to Jan at Torry for
treating me to this traditional Aberdeenshire delicacy.

The Grampian Children's Book Award and Writing with the Students at Mearns Academy

At the beginning of May I was invited to the Grampian Children's Book Award ceremony as 15 Days Without a Head was one of the shortlisted titles. The event, at Aberdeen University, was attended by around six hundred students, teachers and librarians from schools all over Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness scooped the prize, but I had a great day and got to meet many enthusiastic readers and a few authors too!

Mark Lowery, Cathy MacPhail, Debbie Leslie,
some bald fella and Barry Hutchinson

The award was the start of a mini tour of the area for me …

taking in Ellon and Northfield, where
I met Frankie – Guardian of the Library!

Heading north up to Elgin and Speyside …

Then back down to Torry.

On the final day of the tour, after sessions at Aboyne and Mackie, I found myself taking Laurence and Jay to Laurencekirk, and crossing the line …

After a quick introduction to my journey to becoming an author and the background to 15 Days, I started the group at Mearns Academy on a workshop I call "Crossing the Line." I've done this exercise with a number of groups and I'm always impressed by the ideas the students come up with – some very funny, others filled with real drama and emotion – and often find myself thinking: I wish I'd thought of that! This group were no exception and I was particularly struck by how much writing they achieved in the short time available.

Daniel, that bald bloke again, John, Connor and Scott
– in the library at Mearns.

A week or so after returning to the attic, I received an email from Mr Paterson, the librarian at Mearns, telling me that the group had finished off the workshop in their next English lesson. I was delighted when he sent me some pictures and few extracts of the students' work.

Chloe wrote a gripping piece set in the moments after her character had been forced to kill. The writing was full of vivid description with some lovely delicate touches – "His soft fur moved smoothly through my fingers".

Andrew's extract was from the point of view of soldier forced into his first kill, and the horror and shame he feels afterwards. His writing was urgent and hard, but there was some real empathy in the piece too. The soldier thinks of his victim: "He probably hadn't signed up for this either." A great piece of writing.

Some of the students' writing
on display in the library

Ryan's story had a fantastic opening line: "The eyes of the cartoon dog were burning holes in the side of my head as they watched me eat the dog food …" It was a good image, it made me smile. I was expecting a comic scenario, then found myself facing some real horror a paragraph later. Changing mood effectively like this is not an easy technique, but one Ryan handled very well. 

Millie has a good ear for authentic dialogue and her writing pulled me right into the action. The scene was set in the children's ward of a hospital and Millie managed to capture the essence of the location superbly – "most of the kids were full of energy, bouncing about and having fun with their friends. My little brother was in a room by himself. He looked helpless and lonely." A really poignant and heart-felt piece of writing.

Thanks again to all the students for their great work and to Mr Paterson and Mrs Donald for sharing the results with me. 

I had a great time at all the schools I visited in Scotland. Much appreciation to all the staff and students for making me so welcome. Special mentions to Marion, Katie, Fiona, Rosie and Neil, and my publisher Oxford University Press for their support. 

15 Days Shortlisted for the Grampian Children's Book Award 2013

I'm delighted that 15 Days Without a Head is one of six books on the Grampian Children's Book Award Shortlist for 2013. 

The award is run by school librarians in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray and voted for by S1 – S3 pupils. Thanks to everyone involved. It's an honour to be chosen alongside these great books:

The shortlist:
15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
Out of the Depths by Cathy MacPhail
Socks Are Not Enough by Mark Lowery
The 13th Horseman by Barry Hutchison