Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2010

Well, it's a splendid shortlist and we know that the judges have their work cut out as we would find it difficult to choose a winner.

Review of Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson Teens Accessible and absorbing story about Isabel, a slave in New York during the American War of Independence. Historically and politically accurate and with a light but realistic touch, it perfectly frames its characters and times. Super stuff. Full Review

Review of Fever Crumb (Mortal Engines Quartet Prequel) by Philip Reeve Teens Philip Reeve produced an instant classic with his Mortal Engines series of books. After a break, he has returned to the astonishing world he created with a story set centuries before the adventures of Tom and Hester and their daughter Wren at the end of the Traction Era. It's fast-paced and intriguing. Full Review

Review of Nation by Terry Pratchett Teens It takes a good few pages to really get going, but Pratchett's first non-Discworld for a while is really rather good once it hits its stride. Lots of things to say about love, religion and power and lots of rooms for laughs too. Full Review

Review of Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick Teens Densely written and chilling in every sense of the word, Revolver is a rare little gem for teens and adults alike. Marcus Sedgwick was kind enough to be interviewed by Bookbag. Full Review

Review of Rowan the Strange by Julie Hearn Teens Diagnosed with schizophrenia, a young teenager is sent to a psychiatric hospital at the very start of World War II. It probably goes without saying that this book is very dark, unsurprisingly but shockingly dark. So much so it might be worth chatting to younger children about the themes of this book if they're reading it. I get the distinct feeling that this novel will find itself on the national curriculum suggested texts list before long. Full Review

Review of The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness Teens Riveting second volume in the Chaos Walking series. The breakneck pace belies what is a wonderfully-realised and tremendously subtle dystopian novel about power and control and love and loyalty. I loved it. Full Review

Review of The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant Teens A thoroughly satisfying and out-of-the ordinary story combining the mystery of disappeared girls with a child living through a family break up. It's elegantly written and has a great deal to offer. Full Review

Review of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Teens Utterly, utterly gorgeous fantasy novel about life, death, family and growing up. It combines the charming and macabre and has something for everyone aged eight to eighty-eight. Highly recommended. Full Review

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