Debut novel with autistic heroine scoops Stockton children's book prize

Elle McNicoll's debut novel, A Kind of Spark, has been crowned winner of the Stockton Children's Book of the Year 2022.

More than 300 pupils from 19 of the Borough's primary schools cast their votes after reading a shortlist of five books.

And Elle was named the winner in a ceremony attended by schoolchildren from across the Borough at Stockton Central Library yesterday (March 22).

Published by Knights Of, the story follows Addie, an 11-year-old autistic girl, as she campaigns for a memorial to the witch trials that took place in her Scottish hometown.

It is the latest in a string of awards for Elle, who is autistic herself and an advocate of better representation of neurodiversity in publishing.

And she wasn't the only winner, with Tamsin from Junction Farm Primary School (pictured alongside Elle) scooping the Best Book Review award, which is judged by a panel of librarians.

Councillor Jim Beall, the Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "The Stockton Children's Book of the Year award has been going since 1997 and is well-established as one of the most prestigious accolades in the industry.

"This year's award is all the more special as authors have returned to doing face to face school visits and attending the awards ceremony in person.

"It's all organised by our excellent libraries service, in partnership with local schools, and not only inspires a love of reading but also gives local schoolchildren an opportunity to meet authors and write their own book reviews.

"What really comes across when we do this award is the fun aspect to reading, or reading for pleasure as it's often called. To quote Dr Seuss: 'You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.'

"Competition for this award is always very strong and I'd like to say a big well done to all five shortlisted authors and thank you for spending time with us today.

"I'd like to congratulate Elle, who joins an illustrious list of winners including the likes of Liz Pichon, David Almond and Piers Torday, and of course Tamsin for her brilliant book review.

"I'd also like to thank all of the children, teaching staff and libraries staff that have put so much work into what is a great celebration of children's literature."

The other shortlisted books were The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy (Barrington Stoke), The Unbelievable Biscuit Factory by James Harris (Hodder Children's Books), The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery (Walker Books), and The Ghost of Gosswater by Lucy Strange (Chicken House).

For more information about the Stockton Children's Book of the Year award (SCBY), visit the SCBY website.

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