Phoebe Demeger is the Librarian at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and she’s a judge on this year’s Branford Boase Award, which highlights the year’s outstanding debut novels for children and young people. She has also just joined the judging panel for the Little Rebels Prize and sits on the World Book Day selection panel. She answers questions on what judging awards involves, and what is most satisfying about it.
A judge’s eye view on the Branford Boase Award
You’re an experienced judge, what do you like about judging competitions?
Being part of a judging panel is a pleasure and a privilege, and I always strive to give each book on the longlist the time, thought and care it deserves. It’s a great opportunity to read new titles I might have missed, and to read them deeply. It can sometimes be challenging to encounter a book that I personally love, but just isn’t quite right for this particular shortlist – not bad though if the ‘worst’ outcome is that I’ve read a book I really love! Also, the collaborative process and conversations with other judges can be really thought-provoking and often helps me to look at things in ways I might not have considered.
As librarian at CLPE, how important is it to let teachers know about new books and new writers?
It’s really important to let teachers know about new books and new writers. New books are being published all the time, which our busy and hardworking teachers may miss. Children’s publishing is a very exciting space – we are seeing more and many different types of representation entering mainstream publishing (for in-depth analysis of ethnic representation, see CLPE’s Reflecting Realities reports), books that address perennial topics in novel ways, or that pioneer emerging topics and themes relevant to the lives and experiences of children today. For ‘bitesize’ recommendations I produce a monthly ‘new books blog’ for CLPE in which I share a selection of titles I’m particularly excited about. We also aim to keep our Core books list for schools refreshed with new books, and every year we bring a selection of new titles into our Power of Reading collection, with accompanying teaching sequences that enable classroom practitioners to engage on an even deeper and sustained level with high-quality children’s books in the classroom.
The joy of sifting through and reading these new books is also one of the challenges to me as CLPE’s librarian – just the sheer quantity of amazing books, creators and publishers out there! Though it can be hard to stay on top of everything, identifying trusted sources, checking out award long-and-shortlists (thank you, Branford Boase Award!), and sharing recommendations and talking about books – these latter two are things we can model to our children – all really help.
What makes the Branford Boase Award special?
The Branford Boase Award is the only award that explicitly rewards the editor as well as the author, acknowledging the craft of both, and how integral this partnership can be in steering a debut author towards success. In a video recorded for CLPE, 2022 winner Maisie Chan has some wonderful things to say about working with an editor, describing them as her book’s “first champion” and “cheerleader”, someone that you trust who is with you throughout the whole journey of the book. By highlighting the work of the editor, says Maisie, we illuminate to young children that in the publishing world, the first thing we write is not the thing that gets published – there is a lot of work that goes into writing, editing and publishing, so embrace your mistakes; they are part of the process!
The Branford Boase Award is also good at revealing current trends in writing for children. Did anything stand out this year?
There is a fair amount of dystopia on this year’s 20-book-strong longlist, whether in fantasy worlds or worlds similar to our own. Nevertheless, these ‘end of the world’ books are rarely without hope – we see young protagonists and/or unlikely heroes having agency, coming into their power, and taking on a damaged society. There are also books that speak to the experiences and realities of young people, plus some levity and humour in the list as well.
Do you have a favourite book or books from past Branford Boase Award winners?
One of my favourite Branford Boase Award winners is 2022’s Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, a book that we are proud to spotlight in our Power of Reading collection. It’s great to see light-hearted books for younger readers represented among the winners, and this one features a still rarely-seen British-Chinese protagonist. 2020’s Bearmouth and 2004’s Keeper stand out for their really strong and unusual narrative voices, and are memorable for the way they convey both narrative and atmosphere.
Finally, can you give us your tips on encouraging reading for pleasure?
Of course! Here are a few tips drawn from CLPE’s long-standing and evidence-based Power of Reading training programme, which supports schools to develop a culture of reading for pleasure and raise the attainment of all children by placing quality books at the heart of all learning.
Reading aloud allows children to access books beyond their own reading ability, and re-reading allows for deeper engagement.
Emphasise the shared aspect of reading – both the experience of reading a book together, and the social act of book talk, discussing likes and preferences, sharing recommendations and valuing opinions.
Provide a broad range of text types, such as: picture books for all ages, poetry, short stories, short and longer novels, comics and graphic novels, newspapers and magazines, audiobooks. At the same time give children the empowerment of choice and time to try things out.
Ensure any selection features books that authentically represent and affirm the realities of all children. The Branford Boase Award longlist is out now. The shortlist will be announced on 24 April 2025.
Phoebe Demeger is the Librarian at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE). A former Bookseller, she manages CLPE’s extensive library of children’s books, hosts regular visitors to the library, and assists the wider team in their delivery of training programmes and special events. She produces book reviews and recommendations for CLPE, ensuring that the very best titles find their way into classrooms and schools.
