Cranleigh School announces winner of The Awesome Book Awards 2023

Congratulations to children's author, Kate Gilby Smith, who has won The Awesome Book Awards 2023 for her novel, The Astonishing Future of Alex Nobody. Her Award was announced via a special online event.

Kate said: "I'm absolutely over the moon! I really didn't expect the book to win and it means so much that pupils voted. Thank you so much for organising such a fantastic award scheme. I can see from recent school visits that it plays a huge role in inspiring kids to love books."

Now in its seventh year, The Awesome Book Awards recognises the very best works of fiction for young readers aged between 7 and 10. What makes these awards extra special is that the winner is chosen by young readers who, over recent months, have been reading the shortlist and voting for their favourite.

To be eligible, books have to be a debut novel and appeal to everyone in the listed age group. Along with The Astonishing Future of Alex Nobody on the shortlist for 2023 were: Danny Chung does not do Maths, by Maisie Chan; Skywake Invasion by Jamie Russell; Edie and the Box of Flits by Kate Wilkinson and Maggie Blue and the Dark World by Anna Goodall.

The awards are organised by Cranleigh Schools, who added: “We had a spectacular shortlist this year and I know that pupils have been enjoying reading them. The voting was close, so well done to all of our shortlisted authors."

The online Gala Event featured author readings, special animations for each shortlisted book, and of course the announcement of the 2023 winner by Jack Meggitt-Phillips — winner of The Awesome Book Awards 2022 for his debut children’s novel, The Beast and the Bethany.

For more information on The Awesome Book Awards, and to watch the full event, go to www.awesomebookawards.com.