2009 LLL Awards

Announcing the Winners of the 2009 LLL Award

 
The Extensive Reading Foundation (ERF), an unaffiliated, not-for profit organization that supports and promotes extensive reading in language education, takes pleasure in announcing the winners of the 5th Annual Language Learner Literature Award for books published in 2008.

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.”
“We have to think about this problem, War and Peace, or we never get peace. We should attempt to make peaceful world.”

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.
I was moved and I cried a lot! I like this book so much.”

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.”
“The book helps us get a better understanding about human beings.”

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.”
“This book tells us the importance of sharing the idea of AIDS, which everyone in the world keeps from talking significantly, with people all over the world.”

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.


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To contact the Extensive Reading Foundation, email rday@hawaii.edu

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