The Times / Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition 2014 Short-List


THIS YEARS SHORTLIST: 
BIRTHDAY SURPRISE by LISA DRAKEFORD
When a girl unexpectedly gives birth on the bathroom floor at her best friend’s party, the fall-out is intense and affects everybody ...  A gritty teen read with redemption and tenderness amid the difficulty and confusion.
THE SOUND OF WHALES by KERR THOMSON
People trafficking, diamond smuggling and the redemptive power of nature form the basis for this ethereal and moving tale set on a remote Scottish isle; a beautifully woven story for middle-grade readers.
THE TERRITORY by SARAH GOVETT
Floods have ravaged the world and only the brightest kids can earn a place on dry land by passing a rigorous exam. But while rich kids can buy their way to a life of comfort, most ordinary kids have to tough it out to stay alive ... A thrilling and thought-provoking dystopian novel.
DEARLY WILD by VICTORIA WOOLFE
Harry’s mum is dead and the only comfort he can find is in caring for a damaged deer he discovered in the woods. Beautiful, gentle and evocative, this story about the power of wild animals, set against the coldness of young grief, reads like a truly modern-day Kes.
THE RUNNER by JAMES LOFTHOUSE
Liam is the witness to a brutal murder. More than this, he knows one of the two perpetrators. Placed into hiding, Liam is still not safe and is forced on the run in order to survive. Thrilling at every turn, this is a gripping real-life drama that will have teens on the edge of their seats.

Good luck all, the winner will be announced on Saturday 5th April 2014.

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