Tabitha Suzuma’s From Where I stand scoops YoungMinds Book Award

The £2000 prize was presented for the book which most helps young people aged 12+ cope with the stresses and challenges of growing up.

From Where I Stand tells the story of Raven, a boy who has been placed in foster care after witnessing the death of his mum. He and his friend Lotte set out to track down his mum’s killer - but their careful plan goes dangerously wrong. Through his journey he deals with issues of self harm and  bullying, and experiences difficult family relationships.

Madeline, one of the young reviewers said: “I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read and I liked it a lot. The characters are very believable and the plot is really good, especially the twist at the end. I liked the relationship between Raven and his foster family. Overall a fantastic book which I highly recommend.”

Sarah Brennan, YoungMinds Chief Executive said:

“From Where I Stand faced tough competition from the other five books, but its excellent exploration of difficult issues and use of strong characters meant it was the  deserving winner. The story uses situations, which most people can indentify with at school  or at home to show how to deal with problems such bullying and not fitting in.

 “ This year is the first time that we  have awarded the prize to a book for young people and involved young people in the judging process. It has been a real insight into the role books can play in a child’s life. Books  such as From Where I Stand can  help break the isolation experienced by young people and demonstrate that their feelings and problems are not unique.

“Fiction can often be an easier way to explore mental health problems, providing detailed information  in an accessible and engaging format for both teenagers and adults. “

Tabitha’s book From Where I Stand (Definintions) strove off  competition  from:

• Accidental friends, by Helena Pielichaty (OUP Oxford)

• The knife that killed me, by Anthony McGowan (Definitions)

• Accidents of nature, by Harriet McBryde Johnson (Andersen Press)

• The way I see it, by Nicole Dryburgh (Hodder Children’s Books)

• Singing it, by Anne Cottringer (Andersen Press Ltd)

Nicole Dryburgh was also awarded a special prize from our young reviewers for her auto biographical story The Way I See it. The prize acknowledges Nicole’s remarkable resilience and courage ,and the books popularity amongst our young readers.

  Ends

For immediate release: 18th November 2008

Notes to editors

1.       Sarah Brennan is available for interview

2.       Photos of the winners and awards are available on request

3.       YoungMinds is the UK's leading children's mental health charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people by ensuring mental health is placed firmly on the public and political agenda. For further information visit www.youngminds.org.uk 

4.       First launched in 2003, the YoungMinds Book Award was formerly given to a book for adults that shows the world through a child’s perspective. In 2007 it was awarded to Suzanne Sjoqvist for Still here with me, published by Jessica Kingsley, which illustrates the experiences of young people who have lost a parent. Past sponsors of the award have included Nicci Gerrard, Sean French and Philip Pullman. 

5.       For more information please contact Hannah Smith on 0207 336 1451 or email Hannah.smith@youngminds.org.uk