Tower Hamlets Book Award 2021 – Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services

About the Book Award

The annual Tower Hamlets Book Award is just one of the exciting events made possible through subscriptions to the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services.

The Book Award is for pupils aged 10 to 13 (Year 5 and up). The aim is to encourage children to read, to bring children together to enable debate and discussion about books and to encourage children to share the pleasure of reading.

You can shadow the Book Award in small or not-so-small groups. Have a look at the award timeline below for some ideas of activities.

Congratulations to Joseph Coelho!

Joseph became the 15th author to win the coveted Tower Hamlets Book Award for Zombierella

Brilliantly illustrated by Freya Hartas, this alternative fairytale which proved a hit with both primary and secondary school pupils shadowing and voting in the award.

The finale!

Canary Wharf group – as well as buying sets of the shortlisted books for our subscribing schools – kindly hosted the Book Award grand finale at the fantastic East Wintergarden venue on 2nd December.

Pupils from over 20 schools were present to meet authors Jasbinder, Ben and Jennifer and enjoy the performances put on by Blue Gate Fields Juniors, Cyril Jackson Primary, Thomas Buxton Primary, Marner Primary, Morpeth School, Stepney All Saints School and Hermitage School.

Blue Gate Fields took the prize for best presentation with their performance of scenes from ‘The Soup Movement’.

Jennifer, Ben and Jasbinder award the prize for best performance

Book Award Timeline and Guidelines

Download as a .pdf

Book Award Guidelines 2021

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The shortlist

THBAShortlist2021 – Download the Shortlist PowerPoint slideshow

All subscribing schools will receive a free set of the 6 books. Non-subscribers – check out our website for all the great benefits of being a member of a schools library service!

Schools may order additional sets (with library book jackets) for £45 per set. Please email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk

The Soup Movement by Ben Davis

Jordan promises his very good friend Rio he would do an act of kindness whenever he could and help change the world. Was that really why he gave up his mum’s wholesome soup to a homeless man? In any case, that one small gesture became life-changing, and helped Jordan adjust to a world without Rio.

Undercover Robot by Dave Edmonds and Bertie Foster

Year 7 is tough enough without having to pretend you’re a human (and what does it mean to be human, anyway?), but that’s exactly what Dotty has to do. Only she now also has to worry about a boy in her class outing her in order to win a reward…

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

A graphic novel. Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride, or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia – the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Zombierella by Joseph Coelho

A yellow moon hangs in a satin sky the night Cinderella, barefoot and in hand-me-downs, slips at the top of the stairs … and dies. But not for long. Cinderella goes forth as ZOMBIERELLA!. With her skin as cold as ice, can she seek revenge on her three cruel, fake sisters, once and for all?

Tamarind and the Star of Ishta by Jasbinder Bilan

Tamarind never knew her Indian mum, Chinty, who died soon after she was born. So when she arrives at her ancestral home, a huge mansion in the Himalayas surrounded by luxuriant gardens, she’s full of questions for her extended family. But instead of answers, she finds only an ominous silence.

Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell

After a mysterious explosion on their way to school, three children find themselves trapped aboard The Principia, a science research ship sailing through hazardous waters and captained by Isaac Newton. Lost in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some very unlikely historical heroes to play their way home before time runs out.

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Art Competition

Every year we run an art competition based on the shortlist books.

Pupils are challenged to create an artistic response of their choice to any of the 6 Book Award books.

Previous competition entries have included…

Drawings/ paintings of scenes from the books
Poems inspired by the stories
Alternative endings/ scenes
Comic strips based on the books
Character portraits
Book cover designs
Bookmark designs
Models of scenes from the books

Winners will be awarded a prize at the finale where shortlisted work will be on display (guest authors have been known to request competition entries to put on their websites!).

Competition deadline

ALL entries must arrive at the Schools Library Services (PDC, 229 Bethnal Green Road) by the morning of Friday 26th November for judging. Any entries submitted after this date will not be judged!

Register!

Registration for the finale will open in September. If you’re shadowing the award in your school, email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk to be added to the THBA mailing list (and to let us know who to send the books and posters to!).