a highly original and deeply
moving novel, immensely skilful in its portrayal
of a child's view of tough adult realities.
Hartnett exemplifies the quality and complexity
of contemporary children's books 
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Claire
Armitstead
Guardian literary editor
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The
winner of the 2002 Guardian Children's Fiction prize was
announced at an awards ceremony in London last night. The
winner was announced as Thursday's
Child by Sonya Hartnett, one of six shortlisted
titles.
The
book is narrated by Harper Flute who records her family's
struggle for life itself as the great depression grips Australia.
Harper watches helplessly as her father descends into alcoholism
while the rest of the family struggle to keep going. The
book is based around Harper's brother Tin, who "was,
born on a Thursday and so fated to his wanderings."
Tin lives in a lair of tunnels and, though mostly unseen,
protects the family and, ultimately, saves them.
Born
in Melbourne in 1968, Sonya Hartnett's writing career began
when she was barely a teenager. Sonya's first novel,
Trouble All The Way, was published at the age of 15,
and to date she has published 11 novels.
The
prize, worth £1,500, was founded in 1965. Past winners
include Philip Pullman, Anne Fine, Leon Garfield, Ted Hughes,
Nina Bawden and Anita Desai. It is unique in being judged
by writers, this year's panel including Kevin Crossley-Holland,
Bali Rai, and Beverley Naidoo.
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Six
of the nine books from the longlist for the 2002 Guardian
Children's Fiction Prize remain on the shortlist for the
prize. The winner will be announced on October 12 2002.
Warehouse
by Keith Gray
Thursday's
Child by Sonya Hartnett
The Dark
Horse by Marcus Sedgwick
Jake's
Tower by Elizabeth Laird
The
Shell House by Linda Newbery
The
Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents by Terry
Pratchett
The
judges of the 2002 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize were:
Kevin Crossley-Holland, Beverley Naidoo and Bali Rai, chaired
by Julia Eccleshare.
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The
longlist for The Guardian's Children's Fiction Prize was
announced yesterday, Saturday July 20th. This year's judges
are Kevin Crossley-Holland, Beverley Naidoo and Bali Rai,
chaired by Julia Eccleshare. They have selected the following
books for the longlist:
The
shortlist will be announced in September and the eventual
winner will be announced on October 12th.
The
Guardian is running a reviewing competition for under 16s.
The deadline for reviews (which should be 200 words in length
and e-mailed to books@guardian.co.uk
or posted to Young Reviewers, The Review, The Guardian,
119 Farringdon Rd, LONDON EC1R 3ER) is August 22nd,
and the winners' Review lunch will be on Friday August 30.
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Winner
of Guardian Children's Fiction Prize Announced