Announcing the Winners of the 2009 LLL Award |
An international jury chose the winning book in five categories, taking into account the Internet votes and comments of students and teachers around the world. The judges’ comment is followed by reactions from readers of the book. |
Young Learners
|
|
Farley the Red Panda Series editor: Rob Waring Contributing writer: Sue Leather Footprint Reading Library; Heinle ISBN: 9781424011582 Aimed at older children at lower-intermediate level, the text combines narrative and factual information to win sympathy for the fighting spirit of a young animal and admiration for the helping humans. |
“In this book, the red panda is so pretty. . . But the animal in the zoo are pity. . . When I go there, I enjoy very well . . . [but] every animal can not spend happy time.” |
Adolescent & Adult: Beginner
|
|
Why? by Philip Prowse Cambridge English Readers ISBN: 9780521732956 Pioneering. Serious issues are presented in excellent, understandable prose complemented by superb illustrations. It is a good story which has a human dilemma at the heart of it. |
“[This story] gives students chances to think about war and peace.” |
Adolescent & Adult: Elementary
|
|
White Fang by Jack London; Retold by Rachel Bladon Macmillan Readers ISBN: 978-0-2300-2673-5 A gripping story that is just as gripping in its adaptation. The technical skill of structural and lexical control is first class, and the illustrations support comprehension. |
“The story is long but it is interesting. This is about White Fang’s life. |
Adolescent & Adult: Intermediate
|
|
Land of My Childhood: Stories from South Asia Retold by Clare West Oxford Bookworms Library World Stories ISBN: 9780194792356 These touching, engaging stories open up other worlds while making you think more about your own. Clare West is a master storyteller. Each story she retells is complete without spelling out every detail. As one reader put it, she “gives readers enough imaginary space”. An excellent collection. |
“The stories. . . really give me, an inexperienced girl, a good lesson.” |
Adolescent & Adult: Upper Intermediate & Advanced
|
|
Nelson’s Dream by J. M. Newsome Cambridge English Readers ISBN: 9780521716048 It is a heart-warming love story set against the heart-wrenching background of the impact of HIV/AIDS. By placing the problem of HIV/AIDS in such a human context, the book encourages its readers to think about and discuss what is arguably this century’s greatest challenge. |
“Fantastic, can’t stop reading until you finish.” |
Finalists in Each Category
In addition to the winners, the following books were selected as the shortlisted “finalists” in each category:
Young Learners
|
|
Amrita and the Trees Retold by Sue Arengo Classic Tales; Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780194225557 A compelling, realistic story with an important message, nicely balancing learner-friendly text with attractive artwork |
|
|
Big Baby Finn Retold by Sue Arengo Classic Tales; Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780194225564 A traditional Irish folktale with its warm mixture of ingenuity and cooperation, balancing text and artwork in an attractive style |
Adolescent & Adult: Beginner
|
|
Planespotting by James Bean Hueber Lektüren ISBN: 9783192429712 An original and engaging adventure story for teenagers that keeps you thinking, “What will happen next?” |
|
|
The Story of Coffee by Jennifer Gascoigne Easyreads; Black Cat ISBN: 9788853004475 This fact-filled, well-illustrated book has a stylish magazine-like format that will be enjoyed by students. |
Adolescent & Adult: Elementary
|
|
Cries from the Heart: Stories from Around the World Retold by Jennifer Bassett Oxford Bookworms Library World Stories ISBN: 9780194790840 The best stories are very good indeed, and the adaptation is seamless and dramatic. |
|
|
One Day by Helen Naylor Cambridge English Readers ISBN: 9780521714228 This skillfully handled, engaging story with an intriguing final twist deserves the name literature. |
Adolescent & Adult: Intermediate
|
|
Dancing with Strangers: Stories from Africa Retold by Clare West Oxford Bookworms Library World Stories ISBN: 9780194791977 This excellent, thought-provoking collection of short stories takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from sad to frightened to delighted. |
|
|
Road to Nowhere by Pauline O’Carolan Hueber Lektüren ISBN: 9783193629715 This well-written, exciting story deals with an important issue in an entertaining and believable way. |
Adolescent & Adult: Upper Intermediate & Advanced
|
|
The Art Show by Paula Smith Hueber Lektüren ISBN: 9783194429710 This is the kind of simple, fast-moving story that will make our students want to read more books. |
The winning books and shortlisted finalists are available for online purchase at the Cambridge International Book Centre: http://www.eflbooks.co.uk/reader_finalists.php
The ERF thanks the publishers who nominated books, the members of the Award Jury, and all the students and teachers who evaluated this year’s finalists. The nomination and voting procedures for the 2010 Language Learner Literature Award will be posted on the ERF website (www.erfoundation.org) later this year.