When the World Was Ours by Liz Kessler has won the Warwickshire Secondary Book Award 2022 following a vote by Year 7 and 8 pupils in secondary schools across the county. 

Culminating in an award ceremony at the Bridgehouse Theatre in Warwick on March 24, the annual award is hosted by Warwickshire Schools Libraries Services (WSLS) with the aim of encouraging more students to enjoy reading for pleasure through school and library settings. 

Between January and March year 7 and 8 students were encouraged to read six books on a shortlist and vote for their favourite.

The criteria for voting was that the book must be "a page-turner that pupils would highly recommend to others".

The shortlist of books chosen for students to read this year included: 

• Cardboard Cowboys by Brian Conaghan 
• When the World was Ours by Liz Kessler  
• Asking for a Friend by Kate Malinder 
• The Supreme Lie by Geraldine McCaughrean 
• The Monsters of Rookhaven by Padraig Kenny 
• The Humiliations of Welton Blake by Alex Wheatle 

Students from 14 schools and Deputy Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Parminder Singh Birdi attended the awards ceremony this week.

Three of the authors attended the event to speak with students in-person, with the other three authors in attendance virtually, to provide inspiration for the students about the shortlisted books and what it's like to be in the publishing industry.  

"The Warwickshire Secondary Book Award initiative offers real empowerment to the Year 7 and 8 students taking part across the county," said Cllr Andy Jenns, portfolio holder for customer and transformation.

"Schools that take part regularly report that their students develop a greater sense of confidence and self-esteem through the award, and so it's important for us to continue this work to help Warwickshire's young people with discovering the many benefits of reading."

"Engaging with the written word is a great way to help young people develop their communications skills, encourage insightful discussions, and connect with each other especially during their early teenage years. 

"To support this personal development our Schools Library Service staff are always on hand with professional advice and guidance to help any schools that would like to further enrich the education of their students." 

Warwickshire Schools Library Service organised and hosted the Award and are grateful to support from Warwickshire Libraries Reading and Learning team, the shortlisted authors and publishers and Warwick Books