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Oxford writer shortlisted for Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017
Kiran Millwood Hargrave, a critically acclaimed poet from Oxford, is in the running for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades in the world of children’s books. Announced today, Wednesday 8th February, Millwood Hargrave is shortlisted in the Younger Fiction category for her novel The Girl of Ink and Stars (Chicken House, £6.99).
A poet, playwright and novelist, Kiran Millwood Hargrave studied at Oxford University where she graduated with distinction from the Creative Writing MSt and served as President of the Poetry Society. In The Girl of Ink and Stars she tells the story of Isabella Riosse, the daughter of a cartographer who lives on the island of Joya; an isle both steeped in mythology and shrouded in mystery. When her best friend Lupe runs away, disappearing into the forbidden forest, Isabella volunteers to bring her back with only her knowledge of ancient myths and one of her father’s maps to guide her.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave said:
“I'm over the moon (and stars) to be on this incredible shortlist. I loved writing Isabella's adventure, and can't believe she's lead me on such an exciting one of my own! My deepest thanks to all the readers, librarians, teachers, bloggers and booksellers who have been a part of The Girl of Ink and Stars journey so far, and thank you to Waterstones for their support and kindness in helping my story reach them.”
Becky Kelly, Bookshop Manager at Waterstones Oxford said:
“We love Kiran Millwood Hargrave here! The Girl Of Ink and Stars has been incredibly popular with readers in Oxford, our booksellers have raved about it and we have sold hundreds of copies to customers. Kiran is a fantastic writer who appeals to a wide age-range, with anyone from nine and up being able to enjoy her unique and beautiful books.”
The Waterstones Children’s book prize exists to reward and champion new and emerging talent in children’s books. Now in its thirteenth year, it is widely regarded as one of the most important prizes for children’s books.
The winners will be announced at an evening reception at Waterstones Piccadilly (London), Europe’s largest bookshop, on Thursday 30th March 2017. Six books will compete within each category to be crowned category winner, with the three category winners then vying for the overall title of Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2017. The winner of each category will receive £2000, with the overall winner receiving an extra £ 3000.In the event that the prize is awarded to a partnership then the prize money will be split equally between the joint winners.
The winning authors will also see a significant boost in sales, and the promise of an ongoing commitment to their writing career from all Waterstones shops nationwide.
Last year’s winner, My Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons became a number one Children’s bestseller and saw an increase in sales of over 1400% across the Waterstones estate.
The full lists of shortlisted titles (in alphabetical order by author) for the 2017 Prize are:
Illustrated Books:
The Bear Who Stared by Duncan Beedie (Templar - Bonnier)
Life is Magic by Meg McLaren (Andersen Press)
Super Stan by Matt Robertson (Orchard Books - Hachette)
The Journey by Francesca Sanna (Flying Eye)
Tiger in a Tutu by Fabi Santiago (Orchard Books - Hachette)
There's a Tiger in the Garden by Lizzy Stewart (Frances Lincoln)
Younger Fiction:
Cogheart by Peter Bunzl (Usborne)
Captain Pug by Laura James (Bloomsbury)
Beetle Boy by M.G Leonard (Chicken House)
The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (Chicken House)
Time Travelling with a Hamster by Ross Welford (HarperCollins)
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk (Corgi – Penguin Random House)
Older Fiction:
Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eager (Walker)
Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield (Egmont)
Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence (Hodder - Hachette)
The Wildings by Nilanjana Roy (Pushkin)
Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit (Bodley Head)
The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon (Corgi – Penguin Random House)