Organised by Salford Schools’ Library Service, a part of Salford Community Leisure, the Award was founded in 2003 with the mission to inspire and engage young readers across the city by offering a diverse and exciting range of books.
This year’s event brought together over 150 students from local high schools at the University of Salford’s New Adelphi Theatre. The children were given the opportunity to do presentations about their favourite books and ask the authors questions about their creative writing processes, inspirations and journeys as writers.
The 2025 award winner was Kimberly Whittam for her inspiring book, Quiet Storm. Kimberly said:
“I have always been shy, and I wanted to write this book to encourage people to be brave and pursue their dreams—you can achieve anything you set your mind to.” She added, “It’s been wonderful to hear the children speak so warmly about my book.”
The Boy Who Fell from the Sky by Benjamin Dean
Zed is fascinated by the Demons that fall from the sky. In the future he hopes to follow in his dad’s footsteps as a Hunter, tasked with eliminating the creatures once and for all. But when Spark appears one night, he disrupts everything Zed thought he knew.
This Demon is nothing like the myths – he’s a frightened boy who desperately wants to go back home. Can Zed stand up for what’s right, even if it means going against his own family?
Deadlock by Simon Fox
Archie Blake thought his policeman father teaching him to pick locks and break into safes was just a bit of fun. But when a diamond necklace is stolen and Dad is arrested, Archie realises the only way to uncover the truth is to go on the run and use everything he’s learned.
Archie soon finds himself tangled in a web of deceit. In a world where it’s hard to know who to trust and even harder to see what’s right or wrong, will he be able to find a way out before it’s too late?
Just Like Everyone Else by Sarah Hagger-Holt
Thirteen-year-old Aidan can’t breathe in his crowded family home. Running is his only respite from four loud sisters and involved, touchy-feely parents. Then his mum makes an announcement: she’s having another baby. Only, this time it’s not for her: she will be a surrogate for gay couple Justin and Atif.
Aidan is incensed. As if his family wasn’t embarrassing – or big – enough already. But he’s also scared. Aidan thinks he might be gay, and he’s really struggling to accept this possibility. What if being around Justin and Atif means that he has to come out before he’s ready?
Code Name Kingfisher by Liz Kessler
When Liv finds a secret box from her grandmother’s childhood, she uncovers an extraordinary war-time story of bravery, betrayal and daring defiance.
Holland, 1942. As the Nazis’ power grows, twelve-year-old Mila and her older sister Hannie have strict instructions to hide their Jewish identities. Mila does her best to keep out of trouble. Hannie is swept into the Dutch resistance as an undercover agent: Code Name Kingfisher. She is determined to fight back, but danger could be closer than the girls think …
Steady for This by Nathanael Lessore
Shaun (aka MC Growls) is ready to win Raptology. But when a livestream goes epically wrong, Growls’s dirty laundry is exposed – literally. He’s finally achieved his dream of going viral – just not in the good way.
Now he’s a joke at school, there’s no way he can show his face at Raptology, and to cap it all off the council is banging on the door with an eviction notice. There’s only one way through – it’s time to step up to the mic …
Quiet Storm by Kimberly Whittam
Storm has never liked to stand out from the crowd. But ever since she started Year 7, her life has been full of people telling her she needs to speak up, make friends, and be more like her popular big brother.
Then Storm breaks a school record, and finds herself the new star of the athletics team. But as she’s thrust into the spotlight, her home life and friendships start spiralling out of control, and it’s time for Quiet Storm to show that she has something to say.
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