The Blue Book of Nebo WINNER OF THE YOTO CARNEGIE 2023 MEDAL FOR WRITING

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Jeet Zdung has won the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration for Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear , (Kingfisher, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Books). This is the second consecutive year that a graphic novel has clinched the prize. Written and inspired by the real life of Vietnamese wildlife conservationist Dr Trang Nguyen, the “beautiful” manga-inspired illustrations – including scenic watercolours and detailed, pencil sketched journal entries – work together to offer “something new to discover on each re-reading” and inspire and educate young wildlife activists. Improving news literacy is at the heart of First News, whether through our acclaimed news service or our award-winning news-based learning tools and resources for schools and educators. Centre for Literacy in Primary Education and the English and Media Centre have created expert teaching resources for the shortlisted books. The Blue Book of Nebo is a bleak novel, but not without its glimmers of optimism. A thought-provoking exploration of isolation, familial relations and Welsh language and culture, for a book light on plot, it’s emotional weight is considerable.

You know, I’ve never traveled—never even lived outside Gwynedd—and I don’t have international experience to draw on, but the response to the Polish translation of the book showed me that each translation is a new and different work by default, proof that the reader finishes the author’s work. That book was translated directly from the Welsh, and yet the themes are somehow changed, the response so different to what it was in Wales. In Poland it was read as a feminist novel, and a lot was made of Rowenna’s experience as a single mother. I’d never considered the book from that perspective! Thinking about it, most of the books I write feature a single parent, but I’m not trying to make a point with it. It’s fascinating to see how broader political conversations and concerns—in this case women’s rights in Poland—feed into the story of the book. “I’ve never had an ambition to reach an audience outside of Wales.”She stilled and looked up at me through the leaves. Her hair was wet, and she’d zipped up her raincoat over Dwynwen. All I could see of my little sister was a blue fleece hat. MSR: The honest answer is that I don’t overthink it—it’s a matter of doing what feels right at the time. But it’s an interesting point that all of us who have been raised in Welsh, who live in and through Welsh, have bilingual influences. There is no point denying that; it enriches us.

Gwion stared at me, and was still for a while before he said, “I’m not going to hurt you. You shouldn’t lose faith in people like that.” CD: For anyone new to writing from Wales, if you could choose to translate any Welsh book into English—other than your own works!—what would it be? Curtains with tiny pink flowers on them, and the neatly made bed, the covers pulled tight and smooth. A wardrobe painted white, and little white tables on each side of the bed, books piled high but tidily on them. Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear is the incredible true story of the promise a young schoolgirl made to a brown moon bear in a small town in Vietnam. Follow Chang through tropical Asian rainforests and unpredictable jungles as she fights to become a conservationist. But these dangerous landscapes are only part of her troubles, disproving critics who say that a young girl can’t be a conservationist proves to be an even bigger challenge. Told as a graphic novel with breathtaking art from Jeet Zdung and STEM facts galore, Chang’s daring story is an accessible and fearless adventure that will inspire any animal-loving, intrepid explorer. This tale about friendship and the strength and resilience of one young girl teaches us that letting go is never easy, and sometimes the biggest challenges in life are the most special.An uplifting and thoroughly heart-warming take on the post-apocalyptic novel, this has all the markers of a modern classic.’– Lauren James The novel is a reflection on parenthood, consumerism, faith, language, and class, seen through the cynical eyes of the mother and the more hopeful outlook of her son. Both are careful to preserve their own truths and protect each other from hurt.” —Megan Farr, World Kid Lit A spare and intimate story of a family surviving a near-future global apocalypse .. In a time rife with and ripe for stories of the end, this one stands out.’ Publishers Weekly

Thanks to the young readers far and wide who have engaged with our shortlists and voted for their own deserving Shadowers’ Choice Medal recipients. Huge congratulations to all four of our Yoto Carnegie medal winners for this year, who demonstrate the best of children’s writing and illustration in its myriad of forms.” CD: Sounds fantastic! It’s such an exciting time to discover Welsh writing. Before we wrap up— and everyone heads off to read The Blue Book of Nebo—is there anything else you wanted to share? Long, tangled hair, a beard hiding half of his face. His body too thin, his jeans too short, and a dirty white T-shirt. Huge brown eyes, calf eyes, childlike eyes.That sounded lovely, and I knew it was a lie. Everyone wants something. “Anything in the world, Mam. Even from the olden days.”

There’s a hell of a view from the lean-to. Down toward Caernarfon, where you can see the castle towers jutting out like gnarling teeth, and then the sea and Anglesey beyond it. I can’t ever remember going to Anglesey, but Mam says I went loads of times when I was a little boy. There were nice places to go for walks, Mam says, with nice beaches all around, because Anglesey is an island. I was thinking about that yesterday when I was sitting on the roof of the lean-to, looking out. Seeing the sea and the island, which looks too big to be an island from here. There are trees and fields and places I don’t know between here and the sea. Yesterday was a cold day—cold enough to make my mouth steam, like snow in a saucepan. I sat there thinking about all those people in the olden days, poor things, going to beaches in their cars and sitting there all day with nothing to do. Standing with their feet in the water, then splashing about a bit and then having a picnic. I try not to think about those people too much. First News is the UK’s number one children’s newspaper, with a readership of over 2.6 million, including 7,500 subscribing schools. MSR: It surprised me a little—my need as an author to differentiate between the novels, even to change some of the character names. I did it instinctively, without thinking really. I’m not sure even now why I did that, or why in both books Rowenna remains Rowenna. The winners of the medals were announced at a London ceremony on Wednesday hosted by Lauren Child, who won the illustration award in 2000 for her first Charlie and Lola book.

Yoto, the innovative, screen-free audio platform for children, is the headline sponsor of the Awards. The Yoto Carnegies are sponsored by ALCS and Scholastic as the official book supplier, with First News as the official media partner for 2023. The Nottinghill Carnival takes central stage in this story about families, memories and the power of dance and festivals. Author Yaba Badoe tells... Dylan is an avid reader and Rowenna has always encouraged him with his reading and writing. As they try to navigate this new era and Dylan's adolescence, they find a notebook and name it The Blue Book of Nebo. As Dylan suggests, the book enables them to both tell 'our truth in different ways'. In it, they take turns to jot down their thoughts, feelings and memories. Whilst the book is being written, their darkest secrets begin to gradually emerge, too. Through the dual narrators, we begin to understand Rowenna's thoughts, worries and feelings alongside that of her son's. Dylan is trying to comprehend what his future will hold as he tries to understand why his body and thoughts are changing. Skilfully and beautifully written, we begin to see how this small family has survived. What also emerges are the secrets that they have had to keep from each other.