THE SCATTERED AUTHOR’S SOCIETY
“AUTHOR’S CHOICE 2005”
COMPETITION

Q. What do I have to do to go in for this competition? A. You will have discovered this Competition through one of the three “Authors Choice 2005” posters. To enter, all you need to do is read one of the titles named on the posters, and write a review about it. You can enter as many times as you like. Just choose a different book each time!

Q. Can you give me some tips on writing a review, please?
A. Certainly. Are you ready? Then here we go!

WRITING A BOOK REVIEW
First Read the book! (If it’s a long book, you might find it useful to note down some of the names, or your thoughts as you read.)

Second Start with the details about the book you have selected. You’ll need to give:

• the title
• the author’s name and maybe the illustrator’s name
• the publisher’s name
• the book’s ISBN number
• the price and whether the book is hard-back or paperback.

All of this is usually included at the start or the foot of a review. This time, please add the name of your book’s “Author’s Choice 2005” poster, where you saw the poster, and where you got your copy of the book. Good. That’s all that stuff out of the way.

Third Now it’s time to write the important part of the review, time to put YOUR thoughts about the book on paper. So start by saying, briefly, what the plot is about (but don’t give away the ending!)

Fourth Now for the interesting part! What are your thoughts on the book? What did you enjoy most? What characters did you find most memorable? Why? What scenes did you enjoy reading? Did you like the writing style, or book layout? How about the cover or illustrations? Did you find the setting convincing? Atmospheric? Did it remind you of any other book you’ve read? Was there anything you didn’t like about the book? You may have decided the book isn’t right for you, but who would enjoy reading it?

Fifth A day or two later, read through what you’ve written. Listen to the words in your head as you read. Make sure the sentences work well and the words don’t clunk about. Try reading your review aloud to a friend for comment. You can send your “Authors Choice 2005” review in either clear handwriting, or word-processed. Now you’re almost done, you might like to think of a title for the piece.

Sixth A warning! A simple font is best, though you can choose a more interesting font for your review title. Fussy fonts can be very annoying. Please, remember not to obliterate the text of your wonderful review if you’re adding art-work or illustration. Take care with that moody purple shading, or those black felt-pen shadows! It’s the words you use that matter most to the reader.

Seventh Finish by adding your name (first name and surname), your age and school year, plus your school/home address, including postcode.

THAT’S THE REVIEW DONE! HOORAY!

Q. What do I have to do with my review? (Or what does my teacher have to do with them?)
A. Send your reviews, unfolded, in correctly stamped envelopes, to “AUTHOR’S CHOICE 2005” COMPETITION, c/o 10 Woodside, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5NG. Please don’t forget to include your full name, any class name, the name and full address of your school or home, if you’re writing it independently, and do include your postcode. I’m very sorry, but reviews will not be returned, so do take a photocopy or print before posting.

Q. What happens then?
A. Your reviews will actually be sent on to the AUTHOR OF THE BOOK to read! That’s why you should only write about one book per review. The author will choose which ones are the best-written and most original reviews, and decide on a Mystery Prize for the reviewers. What? I’m not sure – it’s a Mystery, right? It may be a signed poster, a copy of one of their books, or maybe another “good read” they’d recommend.

(NB.The author might include an extract from your review on their web-site, although they won’t put your full name, for security reasons. If you don’t want them to do this, just put “No Permission to Publish” at the end of your review. It’s not a problem.)

Q. But the Posters are up in the Library. How will I be able to remember what books are on the posters?
A. Simple! Here’s the list. So you can print off the list, or note down the books you’re most interested in reading.

SECRETS & SILENCES:
Eight great teen reads.

The Silent Shore by Ruth Elwin Harris.
Walker Books. 0-7445-8284-9 £4.99 pbk.

Delilah and the Dark Stuff by Susan Davis.
Corgi, Random House. 0-552-54794-8. £4.99 pbk.

Breaking the Rules by Sandra Glover.
Corgi, Random House. 0-552-54676-3 £4.99 pbk.

Hunted by N.M.Browne.
Bloomsbury Children’s Books. 0-7475-7438-3 £5.99 pbk.

Sleepwalking by Nicola Morgan.
Hodder Children’s Books. 0-340-87733-2 £5.99 pbk.

Petals in the Ashes by Mary Hooper.
Bloomsbury Children’s Books. 0-7475-6461-2 £5.99 pbk.

Fallout by Nick Manns.
Hodder Children’s Books. 0-340-85567-3 £5.99 pbk

Murkmere by Patricia Elliott.
Hodder Children’s Books 0-340-87790-1 £5.99 pbk

SERIOUSLY AWESOME STUFF:
Seriously good books for 9-13 year old readers.

Ollie and the Bogle by Julia Jarman.
Andersen Press. 0-18427-0039-1 £4.99pbk.

At the Firefly Gate by Linda Newbery.
Orion Children’s Books. 1-84255-195-7 £7.99 pbk

Montmorency on the Rocks by Eleanor Updale.
Scholastic Press. 0-439-97841-6 £12.99 hbk.

Private – Keep Out by Gwen Grant.
Barn Owl Books. 0-1903015022 £4.99 pbk

Going Up by J. Alexander.
A&C. Black. 0-7136 9748 £5.99 pbk

The Beast by Ann Evans.
Usborne Publishing. 0-746060343 £4.99 pbk.

The Gods Are Watching by Caroline Pitcher.
A&C Black: “Black Cats”. 0-713668598 £4.99 pbk

Secret Meeting by Jean Ure.
Harper Collins. 0-007156200. £4.99 pbk

SUCH AMAZING STORIES:
Fantastic books for younger readers.

Superteam by David Bedford.
Little Hare Books 1877003638 £3.99 pbk

Saint Jenni – Animal Crazy by Meg Harper.
Lion Children’s Books. 0745948944 £4.99 pbk

The Magical World of Lucy Anne by Derek Smith.
Earlham Books 0953628337 £3.95 pbk

Nico’s Octopus by Caroline Pitcher.
Frances Lincoln. 1845070291 £5.99 pbk

Race Day by Gwen Grant.
Orchard Books. 1841210900 £4.99 pbk

Floppy Ears by Ruth Louise Symes.
Orion Children’s Books. 1842552643 £7.99 hbk

The Magic Backpack by Julia Jarman.
Random House 0099417340. £3.99 pbk

Arthur’s Tractor by Pippa Goodhart.
Bloomsbury. 0747564787. £4.99 pbk.

HAPPY READING AND REVIEWING, EVERYONE!

NB. Don’t forget to click here and have fun searching around in the wonderful wordpool site!

MANY THANKS TO THE WORDPOOL TEAM FOR HOSTING
THE “AUTHORS CHOICE 2005” COMPETITION.

[ Parents Corner ]     [ Choosing Children's Books ]    [ Reluctant Readers ]     [ Numeracy ]     [ Big Books ]     [ Writing for Children ]     [ Author Profiles ]      [ Resources ]       [ About Us ]   [ About Us ]     [ Full Contents List ]     [ Home ]