Leading authors to be on Rawdon school panel (From Wharfedale Observer)

Leading authors to be on Rawdon school panel

11:22am Wednesday 24th October 2007 in Local news By Annette McIntyre

Three nominated authors from the Richard and Judy children's book awards are set to appear at Benton Park School in November.

Sophie McKenzie, Jenny Valentine and Kevin Brooks, described as "three of the best authors writing for teenagers currently on the scene" will be on a panel chaired by the times journalist Damian Kelahun.

The free event will be held at the school on November 6 - just over a week after Richard and Judy launch their first ever children's book awards in a programme on Sunday on Channel 4.

The Federation of Children's Book Groups has arranged for the authors to appear at the school.

Benton Park Librarian Anne Matthews said: "We are really lucky to have the chance to hear what these authors have to say.

"Anyone interested in good books and the importance of reading should definitely come along."

The free event at Benton will open at 6.30pm and will start at 7pm.

To be sure of a seat people need to let the organisers know they are coming, either by emailing the Federation of Children's Books Groups at info@fcbg.org.uk or by collecting tickets from the school reception desk.

Richard and Judy will feature 19 long listed titles which have been broken down into four age groups.

During the programme these will be whittled down to eight titles by a panel of children.

Sophie McKenzie is the winner of this year's Red House Book Award for Older Readers.

Her thriller Girl Missing was inspired by the real-life case of a toddler who went missing in the early 90s.

Kevin Brooks' Lucas has been compared to classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird and The Ox-Bow Incident.

Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine is the winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Award 2007.