Who will win the 2013 CILIP Carnegie Medal?

Combining conspiracy theory and dystopia, this hugely original novel from Sally Gardner will resonate with readers of all ages. Brilliantly-written and very readable, the story is told in the first person, in the distinctive and unusual voice of protagonist Standish, who although he is far from the standard 'hero' archetype, soon proves himself to be loyal, brave and idealistic.

A dark and often deeply chilling read, this is also a story full of hope, which speaks compellingly about the value of friendship, trust, courage and freedom. Altogether, Maggot Moon is an unusual, deeply moving and thought-provoking story, which has clear potential to become a modern classic. Read the full review or read our interview with Sally Gardner.

 

 

In Darkness by Nick Lake (Bloomsbury)

 

Trapped under the rubble of the 2010 Haitian earthquake, 15-year-old Shorty looks back upon his life so far. Growing up in the slums of Haiti, his experiences have been characterised by extreme violence, poverty and loss, but he does not lose hope that he will be rescued from the darkness and rubble that now surrounds him.

 

Shorty’s story is juxtaposed with that of 18th-Century Haitian leader Toussaint l’Ouverture who led the island’s slave population in a rebellion against the French. Like Toussaint, two hundred years later, Shorty is looking for freedom.

This disturbing portrayal of the harsh realities of life for both the 18th and 21st-Century inhabitants of Haiti, does not make for easy reading. However, Lake’s depiction of the deprivations experienced by generations of Haitians makes this a deeply thought-provoking and very memorable novel. Read the full review or read our interview with Nick Lake.

 

Wonder by R J Palacio (Bodley Head)

The first day at a new school is always daunting, particularly when one is at that  unenviable pre-teen age when so much seems to revolve around who is sitting with whom at lunchtime.

For ten-year-old August ('Auggie'), the level of the challenge is acutely more profound.  For one thing, he has only ever been home-educated, so must acclimatise to the whole concept of going to school. For another, Auggie has a facial disfiguration, and of the most severe kind.

 

This is a book with a heavily undisguised message about the importance of the way we treat others. Highly engaging and readable, Wonder could also encourage a few young readers to consider that maybe - just maybe - the way someone is on the inside could be as important as the way they look. Read the full review.

 

In seven stories that take place on the strange island of Blessed, two souls seek each other over a period of a thousand years. Beginning in the future, each story delves deeper into the past. It moves back through the present to the World War II, the 19th-century, the Viking era and finally to a time unknown. And in each story there is blood and doomed love and sacrifice. A young couple are ritually slain and a farmer saves the life of a man he dislikes. A pagan king offers up his life to save his people and a brother to save his sister from a vampire.

 

The winner of the 2007 Booktrust Teenage Prize has created a dark, compelling novel, skilfully structured and beautifully-written. Read the full review

 

 

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton (David Fickling)

Imagine travelling on a boat with a polar bear as your captain… and then imagine your journey across the sea goes on and on, because the bear has got you both lost.

 

That’s exactly what happens to the boy in Dave Shelton’s quirky and imaginative novel A Boy and a Bear in a Boat. This beautifully presented book tells the story of what happens when a boy and a rather remarkable bear find themselves stranded in the middle of the sea, the adventures they have, and how they survive.

Both a warm and appealing story about the nature of friendship, and a surreal adventure packed with lively humour, this unusual tale will capture the imaginations of both children and adults alike. Read the full review.

'It's like being in love, discovering your best friend' remarks a character in this tale of friendship, war and espionage. Two British girls from totally different backgrounds, form an unlikely and life-changing friendship when they are stationed together during World War II. Down-to-earth, Maddie is a skilled pilot, while bold best friend Julie is from an aristocratic Scottish family - together, as Julie writes, they are 'a sensational team.' However, when Julie is captured by the Gestapo after a mission goes wrong in France, the girls' friendship is tested beyond anything they had every imagined.

 

This book makes compelling reading; scenes of Gestapo torture are interspersed with stories from the girls' experiences before the war, culminating in a tense and shocking ending. In turns touching and heartbreaking, this is an unforgettable novel. Read the full review.

 

What do you think of this year's Carnegie shortlist - and who do you think should be the winner? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for our thoughts on the 2013 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, coming up shortly.

 

Find out more about the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway shortlists on the CILIP website

Read a guest blog about the CILIP Carnegie Greenaway shadowing scheme

Read our interview with last year's winners, Patrick Ness and Jim Kay