There are three awards each with a separate shortlisting panel. The panels will reflect a range of professionals working with young people in our schools and in our local community. Each panel will be considering books which reflect the diverse and exciting nature of our two boroughs.
Longlisting will take place before Christmas based on the criteria outlined below. At the beginning of the spring term the panels will further deliberate and announce a shortlist of three or four books in each category.
During the spring term it will be for the children across our two boroughs to read and enjoy the shortlisted books and then decide on their favourites and the winner of the Spark! Award in each category. This will be announced in our online ceremony in May.
Please view our dedicated age group pages for more information on the books submitted and the panel members.
Is there someone in your school who would be interested in joining our shortlisting panel? We have vacancies for up to 3 teachers in each category.
Please complete the form available at the link below.
Thank you to everyone who applied to be on our short-listing panels - the form is now closed. We are now considering the submissions and will get back to all applicants soon.
Our choice of books for the shortlists are intended to develop pupils’ and teachers’ knowledge of quality literature and authors, influence the reading culture and develop an appreciation of the craft of writing. We are looking for lively texts that reflect the diverse and exciting nature of our boroughs.
Our shortlisted books will have the page-turning quality that will appeal to a wide range of readers. They will reflect the diversity across our borough and allow children to see reflections of themselves, their families and the relationships within them.
We are looking to select books that children will be able to access independently, although we expect titles to appeal equally to the wider school community of teachers, parents and beyond.
We recognise that not all the criteria below will be appropriate for every book. However, they should be taken as a guide to help our assessment. Shortlisting teams will look for a best-fit judgement.
Where the book uses humour, it is inclusive and respectful?
Does the book:
Does the book:
Does the book have:
Where illustrations are used:
The books chosen will have heart. As our name suggests, we want to shortlist books that SPARK a response from readers and stay in their minds long after they have finished - books that they will wish to revisit.
Above all, the choices we make should make reading an exciting and enjoyable experience for the young people of Kingston and Richmond.
These awards are led by an independent group of people working in education in Kingston & Richmond Schools. Spark! is working closely with AfC and is supported by the Education Leads of the two councils.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE REGENCY BOOKSHOP IN SURBITON AND for CLARE SPENcER DESIGN, WHO PROVIDED our Spark! logo.
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