Chester Schools Together: Readers collaborate on Carnegie award

On Thursday, 11 May, the Chester Schools Together Yoto Carnegie shadowing group met for the first time in the Wickson Library.

The Yoto Carnegie Awards are the UK’s longest running children’s book awards, unique for the fact that they are judged solely by librarians. Each year, young people around the country are also invited to act as shadow judges with the Shadowers’ Choice Award also announced at the main winners’ ceremony. 

Students from The King’s School, Chester Catholic High School and Blacon High School used their first meeting to discuss the shortlisted books. In small, mixed groups, the students shared their thoughts and critiqued the books before taking part in a quiz and enjoying a fun raffle with some highly coveted, book-related prizes. 

The meeting was led by Head Librarian at The King’s School, Jodie Brooks. 

She said: “Today’s meeting of the Chester Schools Together shadowing group was a huge success. 

“Bringing together young people with a shared interest is always a joy and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them talking books with each other; there were some really great conversations around the shortlisted titles with lots of contenders for the group’s favourite book on the shortlist.”

The meeting ended with the launch of a competition that challenged the students to write a review of a Carnegie novel before the next meeting. With a £20 book token up for grabs for the best review, Miss Brooks is excited to read the entries. 

The group is looking forward to meet again on Wednesday, 21 June for the final of the awards.