The Sheffield Children's Book Award is brought to you by Sheffield Libraries and is a celebration of our favourite children's books of the year! This Award is a way to share with you books that children will love to read, whilst also promoting inclusion, diversity and empathy in great stories.
Right about now we would ordinarily be counting up your votes for this year's shortlisted titles, readying for our ceremony in November, but like many things, Covid-19 has meant a change of plans. Don't fear, the book award is still happening. Watch this space for more details.
However, we still have an exciting bunch of beautiful books that we want to promote and enjoy on this year's shortlist so for the next few weeks we'll be blogging about each category of shortlisted titles and giving you a closer look at each one.
Vote for your Favourite!
Why not read the books for yourself and let us know which is your favourite?
Then submit your vote via our online form.
Longer Novels
Our fourth category is the Longer Novels. The category where children can really get their teeth into substantial and wonderful stories.
The Girl Who Speaks Bear
Written by Sophie Anderson
Illustrated by Kathrin Honesta
Published by Usborne
They call me Yanka the Bear. Not because of where I was found - only a few people know about that. They call me Yanka the Bear because I am so big and strong. Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka has always wondered about where she is from. She tries to ignore the strange whispers and looks from the villagers, wishing she was as strong on the inside as she is on the outside. But, when she has to flee her house, looking for answers about who she really is, a journey far beyond one that she ever imagined begins; from icy rivers to smouldering mountains meeting an ever-growing herd of extraordinary friends along the way.
Interwoven with traditional stories of bears, princesses and dragons, Yanka's journey is a gorgeously lyrical adventure from the best-selling author of The House with Chicken Legs.
Watch author Shopie Anderson read the prologue of The Girl Who Speaks Bear.
Where the River Runs Gold
Published by Hatchette
I asked myself where does the river run gold for children's rights? What kind of society can we build in which the rights of the children are truly honoured and protected. I have imagined a near future world in which environmental damage has brought forward a crisis in food production, leading to the decimation of bees, pollinators, tree and plant life ... and of course into this world children are born. Greta Thunberg is such a bright beacon in our times, and like Great, my young characters Shifa and Themba must fight for their rights to be protected. In my story The Emergency Ark Government has suspended the laws to deal with the immediate climate and food production crisis ... and as a result the children must trust in the promises of leaders.
No Ballet Shoes in Syria
Published by Nosy Crow
Aya is eleven years old and has just arrived in Britain with her mum and baby brother, seeking asylum from war in Syria.
When Aya stumbles across a local ballet class, the formidable dance teacher spots her exceptional talent and believes that Aya has the potential to earn a prestigious ballet scholarship.
But at the same time, Aya and her family must fight to be allowed to remain in the country, to make a home for themselves and to find Aya's father - separated from the rest of the family during the journey from Syria.
Author Catherine Bruton introduces No Ballet Shoes in Syria.
Discover More
To discover all the shortlisted titles download our new Recommended Reads Booklet (PDF).
Join the discussion, tell us your favourite over on our social media pages:
Twitter @shefflibraries
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