I think it's important to show that there are many different types of families, and many different types of parents. Sometimes being apart is better for everyone but it's obviously still really hard. The Yoto Carnegie Medal is awarded to Katya Balen for her second novel October, October (Bloomsbury), illustrated by Angela Harding – her debut novel, The Space We’re In was longlisted in 2019. October, October is a “beautiful” and “captivating” story of a girl, October, who must learn to spread her wings after a childhood spent living wild in the woods changes dramatically the year she turns 11. The story was inspired by Balen’s father-in-law who lives off-grid, and her own love of mudlarking and the outdoors. YLG has 12 regional committees covering all of the UK, and each committee advertises and democratically recruits a judge to represent them on the panel of judges. Each judge serves a two-year term and each year the panel is a unique mix of new and experienced judges led by the Chair of Judges. Following the independent diversity review of the Awards, CILIP introduced a co-opting procedure so that if this recruitment process does not result in a sufficiently diverse and representative judging panel, up to two judges will be co-opted to join the panel.

We would love to see you enjoying the resources using #OctoberOctober and tagging KidsBloomsbury and readingagency. Shaffi, Sarah (17 March 2023). "Carnegie medal for writing announces all-female shortlist". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023 . Retrieved 6 June 2023.

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I believe that kids are empowered when they have access to all kinds of books, and can choose for themselves what they want to read. Graphic novels can be an especially engaging form of reading, and a gateway to all types of literature. But graphic novels are also an extraordinary, complex, versatile medium in themselves, not dumbed down versions of “real” books. You wouldn’t discourage a kid from going to a museum to look at paintings or sculptures or photography, so why would you tell them not to look at artwork in a book? Images are visceral in a different way than text, and when an artwork moves you, it’s speaking to you in a different language than words. There is no single way to tell a story, and graphic novels are one fascinating way to express emotions and ideas that can’t be put into words alone.” October prefers to live in the country rather than the city - what would be your choice? And how well would you cope with being self-sufficient like October and her dad in the woods?

You’re a great champion for trying to get more media attention for children’s books - One in three of all books sold is a children's book yet children's books only get less than 5% of review space in the media. Why do you think this is - and what can be done? Author Katya Balen tells us what inspires her novels including Carnegie-shortlisted October, October, and The Space We're In, and reads from a section of October, October (recorded in Autumn 2020). October, October by Katya Balen is truly a feast for all the senses. The words are so beautifully written that the book makes you feel part of the natural beauty that October lives and breathes every day, as well as a part of the wild whirling chaos of the world beyond the woods. This book brings to life the meaning of the word 'wild' and its juxtaposition with comparisons from the natural world and the consumers world.Gradually, though, as Dad slowly recovers in hospital, October starts to adjust to her tamed city life, making friends with a boy in her class and discovering the semi-wildness that is mudlarking on the Thames. Slowly, October lets her mum in to her heart, and life starts to change for the better. Can October and Dad ever return to the wild? Or are there some things about the city that aren’t so bad after all?

Novgorodoff said Long Way Down was a book that asked readers “to empathise with a character who is planning to harm another person, and endanger his own life, out of grief and revenge”.This is a beautiful book, and one that I would thoroughly recommend not just for children, but for adults too. Any teacher, librarian, or parent who cares for neurodivergent children could benefit from the level of insight and understanding that October, October provides, and any neurodivergent child will likely appreciate reading something that reflects them (although we are getting more diverse books, we still have a bit of way to go!). Even without that perspective though, not only is it a moving story that touches upon themes of separation, isolation, change and family that anyone can appreciate and enjoy, but it’s also a great opportunity to read outside of our own experiences, to better understand and empathise with others who see or experience things differently to ourselves. This is what language can do - tell a story that burns with intense, furious passion, and yet be so disciplined that one never doubts, not for one moment, the emotional truths driving it. This song of the wild and of our most profound human longings is deeply moving, deeply satisfying, and it's my children's book of the year. - Kevin Crossley-Holland Katya Balen's October, October is a very special new addition to the shelf and deserves classic status - Times Children's Book of the Week

He is a tutor for Arvon and Poetry School, and a Keats 2020 Poet in Residence at Keats House. Dean is based in Glasgow, and is Co-director of Scottish BAME Writers Network. Katya Balen's MG novel October, October has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. The novel follows October who lives with her father, but whose life changes dramatically when she has to move and live with her mother. We asked Katya Balen to tell us more about writing the novel and some of its themes in this Q&A.

KATYA: Oh, interesting question! Yes, actually, I do. October is kind of the mid-point between the two of them – she’s wild and thoughtful. I think she’d love to tumble head-first into the waves with Zofia, and I think she’d want to learn the secret, careful folds of origami with Tom. Routh, Chris (Spring 2022). "Maggie and the Moonbird". The School Librarian. 70 (1): 44. ProQuest 2640408644 Awards: Wainwright Nature Writing Winners". Shelf Awareness. 9 September 2022. Archived from the original on 10 September 2022 . Retrieved 7 June 2023.