The Great Escape has been chosen as one of the 5 finalists for the 2013 East Sussex Children’s Book Award.
The 5 books short listed this year are:
The Great Escape by Megan Rix
BUSTER is a lively Jack Russell
TIGER is a feisty white and ginger tom
ROSE is a faithful CollieRobert and Lucy Edwards love their pets more than anything; but the threat of the Second World War forces them to flee to Devon – leaving their animals behind. And as the air raid sirens sound over London, the frightened animals are sent to be put down.
Buster, Tiger and Rose make a daring escape but with danger at every turn, can the trio make it across the country as it prepares for battle – and cheat death for the second time?
The Messenger Bird by Ruth Eastham
Nathan’s father has been arrested. He works for the Ministry of Defence and is accused of leaking top secret information. But as he is dragged into a police car, he gives Nathan a message. It leads to a riddle, but it’s not from Dad. It’s from an ex-Bletchley Park employee, Lily Kenley, and was written in 1940. Nathan begins to follow the clues left behind by Lily. But how can this war-time story link to his father’s fate? Hope for Dad’s appeal is fading fast. He must solve the puzzle. Time is running out.
Goblins by Philip Reeve
A wild world of magical creatures and heroic adventure from the extraordinary imagination of Philip Reeve. The squabbling goblins who live in the great towers of Clovenstone spend their time fighting and looting. Only clever young Skarper understands that dark magic created by a vanquished sorcerer is rising again. From th lands of men come fortune-seekers – and trolls, giants, cloud-midens, boglins, swamp monsters, tree-warriors and bloodthirsty goblins are swept into a fabulous magical conflict to thrill all fantasy fans.
The Wizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders
Oz and Lily’s family have inherited an ancient chocolate shop and they’re moving in upstairs. It’s the perfect home … apart fro the small fact that it’s haunted. And then they discover some slid gold chocolate moulds – with magic powers! Soon the ghosts are joined by some evil villains determined to get their hands on the priceless secrets of the magical chocolate.
Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans
Stuart Horten – ten years old and small for his age – moves to the dreary town of Beeton, far away from all his friends. And then he meets his new next-door neighbours, the unbearable Kingley triplets, and things get even worse.
But in Beeton begins the strangest adventure of Stuart’s life as he is swept up in quest to find his great-uncle’s lost workshop – a workshop stuffed with trickery and magic. There are clues to follow and puzzles to solve, but what starts as fun ends up as danger, and Stuart begins to realize that he can’t finish the task by himself . . .
The short listed books and the final winner are chosen with the help of children from East Sussex schools. In May children vote for their favourite book and the winner will be announced in June – fingers crossed.
