Well read pupils

Pupils at Whitefield Primary School are part of a select group invited to choose their favourite children’s story and non-fiction book in the Blue Peter Book Awards 2016.

The Year 5 and 6 students will read and vote on six shortlisted books over the next two months to decide award winners in two categories – Best Story and Best Book with Facts.
Only ten schools across the country have been invited to participate in the judging.
Nadine Carroll, headteacher at Whitefield, said: “Our pupils are extremely excited to be taking part in the enormously popular Blue Peter Book Awards. Reading is at the heart of our school ethos and so we jump at every opportunity to encourage reading for pleasure.”
The awards are organised by children’s reading charity, BookTrust, who have given the schools a range of resources and guidance on what might make a winning book, as well as providing them with several copies of the shortlist.
The shortlist, announced live on Blue Peter in December, was selected by a panel of judges – Angellica Bell, Pamela Butchart, Jim Sells and non-voting chair Ewan Vinnicombe – who cited the challenging topics in the books vying for best story and said many of the books made them cry with laughter but also with sadness.
Participating pupils have until Friday 5 February 2016 to read the shortlisted books and pick their favourites, with the two winners announced on Blue Peter on World Book Day, Thursday 3 March by Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell.