Blood Ties by Sophie McKenzie

Blood Ties revealed as top read for Staffordshire's teens

Staffordshire's teenagers have chosen Blood Ties by Sophie McKenzie as their top title of 2009.

On Tuesday 7 July, over 150 pupils from schools across the county visited Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford to take part in the Young Teen Fiction (YTF) Award Celebration Day.

It was there that they cast the final vote in a nomination and voting process that has been running since October last year.

Earlier this year, the six books short listed for this year's award were announced as:

Life at the Shallow End by Helen Bailey
Too Cool for School by Grace Dent
Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd
By Royal Command by Charlie Higson
Blood Ties by Sophie McKenzie
Weird by Jeremy Strong

To encourage their peers to vote for their pick of this year's short list, pupils performed sketches from each book to rapturous applause.

Those taking part in the day also heard from inspirational guest authors Linda Newbery and Dreadlock Alien before the news that they were all waiting for was announced - the winner of YTF09.

Fists punched the air and shouts of 'Yes!' echoed around the room as Blood Ties was crowned best teen read for 2009.

The winning book sees Theo discovering the father he thought died when he was a baby is still alive, and he's determined to find him.
The clues lead him to the lonely Rachel, who has problems of her own, including parents who compare her unfavourably to her long-dead sister.

But when Rachel and Theo are attacked by men from RAGE - the Righteous Army against Genetic Engineering - at Rachel's school disco, they are rescued by strangers and taken to meet a mysterious figure.

There, they both make some startling discoveries about their identities, which will affect their past, present, and future in dramatic and life-altering ways.

Councillor Ben Adams, County Councillor and Cabinet Lead for Communities and Culture said: "Every year Staffordshire's School Library Service runs the Young Teen Fiction Award to encourage young people to shout about the books that they enjoy and every year I am delighted by the impassioned response of our young people."

He continued: "Staffordshire's teenagers obviously feel very strongly about what they like and do not like to read and I want to encourage every 11-14 year old to make their view count in next year's award."

Page Last Modified: 18/09/2009 09:44:41

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