Beaumont Library hosts Carnegie Medal event

Last Monday the Library was filled with lively debate and discussion as we hosted a lunchtime event to celebrate this year's prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal book award. Beaumont students and Book Club members were joined by students from Loreto College and STAGS who have also been 'shadowing' the shortlist since March.

The Library team had devised a number of board games based on the eight shortlisted books and these proved very successful in sparking discussions amongst the students. It was wonderful to see all these keen readers together, sharing their opinions and their fantastic knowledge of the Carnegie books.

The fifty students were each asked to vote for their favourite book from the shortlist and the clear winner from this poll was One by Sarah Crossan. The students were then treated to a delicious buffet lunch while we awaited the official announcement of the Carnegie Medal winner.

The students' poll proved spot-on as the Medal was presented to Sarah Crossan for her 'verse novel' One which tells the story of conjoined twins Tippi and Grace. The judges described One as 'deeply moving, beautifully observed, unusual but perfectly crafted - the sort of book that will stay with the reader long after the final page.'

Thank you to all the Beaumont, Loreto and STAGS students who threw themselves so whole-heartedly into the day and made our event such a success...we are already looking forward to next year's Carnegie!

Copies of One and the other seven shortlisted titles are available from the Library.