Launching the Short List for KYBA 2010 on Saturday 19th September on St. Ives beach, representatives of the KYBA committee were joined several young judges and members of SLIC (School Librarians in Cornwall) and their school colleagues and families. This followed the success of the last two Kernow Youth Book Awards held in April at County Hall. The KYBA Team has been busy choosing the next short list from the many recommendations put forward by the young people of Cornwall.

It is another interesting line up with the following six titles in the running:- Bloodchild by Tim Bowler, Tales of Terror from the BLACK SHIP by Chris Priestley, A Perfect Ten by Chris Higgins who read an excerpt at the launch, Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks, Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd and The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams.

This unique award reflects the favourite books picked by young teenagers once the books are available in the shops, unlike other awards which are chosen before their release. All the books were published in 2008, chosen and read in 2009, with the award ceremony to take place in April 2010. All the authors and publishers concerned have now been contacted and all seem delighted to be included on the short list. They particularly like the concept of the youngsters being the judges.

Marion Bradley, Librarian at Mullion School, said, “Even more schools are hoping to take part in the judging this year. The school librarians across the county do a great job at promoting reading with the award certainly capturing pupils’ imaginations. Three of the short-listed authors are hoping to attend next April which the youngsters will be thrilled about as it will be more exciting than the video links of the past.”