The International Schools Book Awards in partnership with The Awesome Book Awards aims to bring the community together, even while we are physically apart, through the joy of reading, imagination, fictional travel and escapism.
The purpose of the Awards is to bring young readers together from schools across the UAE and possibly beyond to celebrate the joy of reading for pleasure. With the support and expertise of the Cranleigh UK and Abu Dhabi teams, 3 fantastic novels were shortlisted for children aged 9 – 12 to read, review and vote for their favourite.
Three books have been selected by a panel of readers from Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and Cranleigh School UK. These novels are suitable for readers in the listed age group and appeal to both boys and girls.
Children are invited to read and review the books and vote on their favourite book as individuals from home with the help of parents/carers. Children have the unique opportunity to ask the authors questions around the books over the course of the campaign. Selected questions will be answered via recorded video across social media feeds and on the Cranleigh Abu Dhabi website.
The Book Awards will be formally launched on Sunday 3 May 2020 via the Cranleigh Abu Dhabi website and social media feeds.
Voting opens on the 8th June 2020 and will close on the 15th June 2020. The winner will be announced week commencing 21 June 2020.
The inaugural theme for the Book Awards is Travel and all three books circulate around this. In a time when travel is restricted, let us allow the imagination to journey across the world via the pages of beautifully written children’s books. Reading offers a colourful and unbridled voyage in our imaginations. Particularly pertinent at this time.
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.”
Mason Cooley
Given current restrictions on obtaining physical books, we would recommend an electronic approach to read the three titles. All of the books can be found in ebook format from Amazon Kindle, which can be read on either a Kindle device or using an app available on either Android or IOS. Alternatively, they can be accessed via audiobook format from www.audible.com or www.audible.co.uk. Audible is currently offering a 30-day free trial during this period.
Timeline
*Subject to change in light of current circumstances.
3 May Launch of International Schools Book Awards to the community. Full info to be found on the Cranleigh Abu Dhabi website and social media feeds.
10 May Call for Questions! Participating pupils are invited to submit questions to their favourite author (pupil name, class, school, author, question). Social media campaign to surround. All schools are invited to share and create content.
17 May Book Review Competition launched to pupils. Book reviews are optional and can be uploaded via the Cranleigh Abu Dhabi website. On receipt of reviews, selected excerpt/pictures of reviews to be posted online. All schools are invited to share and create content.
18 May Author response videos to selected questions will be posted online. All schools are invited to share and create content.
24 May Q&A video published online: Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo.
31 May Q&A video published online: The Explorer by Katherine Rundell.
7 June Q&A video published online: The Highland Falcon Thief (Adventures on Trains) by MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman. All schools are invited to share and create content for all of the above.
8 June Voting opens for pupils. Voting completed via a Google Form on Cranleigh Abu Dhabi website. All schools are invited to share and create content.
15 June Voting closes. Book Review Competition closes.
w/c 21 June Winner of Book Awards announced to pupils. Winning author video to be posted online. All schools are invited to share and create content.
Winner of Book Review Competition announced.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr Seuss
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, www.cranleigh.ae/
