Academy Students Become Book Critics
Enthusiastic readers from Kettering Science Academy teamed up with students from other schools to decide which author they think should win a national literary award.
The Carnegie Medal is awarded each year to the writer of an outstanding book for children.
Every year schools are encouraged to take part in Carnegie Shadowing when the shortlist for the award is announced.
Groups of students, led by teachers and librarians, read the selection of books and have to make a decision about which one they would choose to win if they were judging the competition.
Six students from the Academy took part in the event at Bishop Stopford School on Friday, June 18th - Taylor Whitam from 7MI, Ivona Aridegbe from 9ME, Alex Woolgrove from 10LH, Abhilasha Kapur from 8HN, Shawnee Pearce from 10JO and Jodie Neely from 8SH.
They formed groups with pupils from Wellingborough School, Montsaye Community College, Southfield School for Girls and Bishop Stopford School and discussed the eight books.
Rowan the Strange by Julie Hearn was voted as the overall favourite.
Academy Librarian Juliet Walsh said the experience helps students to broaden their reading.
She said: "It means students read books which they might not usually choose.
"They have to think about what they like about the books such as the plot or characters and need to say what it is about the books they like or dislike.
"They were really excited about taking part and I think they got a lot of out it."
The Carnegie Medal was established in 1936 in memory of Scottish-born philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who set up more than 2,800 libraries across the English-speaking world.
The official judges of the Carnegie Medal are set to announce their decision on Thursday, when students will find out if they made the same decision as the panel.