Each year the Carnegie medal is awarded to the author of an outstanding book for children and young people. As part of the nationwide process of deciding on the winner, since the beginning of the summer term students of Holsworthy Community College, along with their contemporaries throughout the country, have been reading and discussing seven books on a shortlist selected by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Two weeks ago 16 of them joined with students from other North Devon schools at the Roundswell Centre in Barnstaple where they gave a presentation on the book they liked most, 'The Knife of Never Letting Go' by Patrick Ness. Finally all the students voted for the book and author they wished to receive the medal.

Last Thursday lunch time they gathered in the college library where, after refreshments, the moment came for the librarian, Mrs Wade, to open an envelope containing the names of the winning author and book. There was disappointment when they learnt that their favourite had not won, but recognition that 'The Bog Child' by the recently deceased Siobhan Dowd was a

worthy winner.