Irish Book Awards Tonight!

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The votes have all been counted and tonight they'll unveil the winners of the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards 2012! I've got my fingers crossed for... well, everybody in the childrens categories. It is so difficult to say who my personal favourites are... there are just too many good books to choose from. These awards are voted for by YOU, so they are truly meaningful. Here's a reminder of the shortlists in the childrens categories... stay tuned for the winners!
Specsavers Children's Book of the Year, Senior category:
Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian Eoin Colfer
The final thrilling Artemis Fowl adventure in Eoin Colfer’s globally bestselling series. Let the misadventure begin – for the last time.  The thrilling climax to this globally bestselling series – but will it all end happily ever after?
The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket John Boyne
From the moment Barnaby Brocket comes into the world, he defies the laws of gravity – and floats. Rejected by his parents, betrayed, frightened and alone, Barnaby floats into the path of a very special hot air balloon – and so begins a magical journey around the world, with a cast of extraordinary new friends.
Zom-B Darren Shan
Zom-B is a radical new series about a zombie apocalypse, told in the first person by one of its victims. The series combines classic Shan action with a fiendishly twisting plot and hard-hitting and thought-provoking moral questions dealing with racism, abuse of power and more.
Rebecca’s Rules Anna Carey
Sequel to bestselling The Real Rebecca. ‘It reminded me of being a teenager, the nice parts! For young adults but so funny, sweet, and bright.  It’s a perfect piece of hilarious loveliness! Gold Star!!!!’ Marian Keyes
Leave it to Eva Judi Curtin
Fun, feisty Eva Gordon’s never been one to shy away from helping her friends – whether they want her help or not! – but this time she might have found a problem that’s too big even for her…
 Skulduggery Pleasant: Kingdom of the Wicked Derek Landy
The seventh instalment in the biggest, funniest, most thrilling comedy-horror-adventure series in the universe, Skulduggery Pleasant. The follow-up to 2011’s number-one bestseller, Death Bringer, sees Skulduggery and Valkyrie Cain needed now more than ever.
Specsavers Childrens Book of the Year, Junior Category:
Guess How Much I Love You: Here, There and Everywhere Sam McBratney
Four new Guess How Much I Love You stories in one volume – The Hiding Tree, On Cloudy Mountain, The Far Field, Coming Home – featuring adventurous Little Nutbrown Hare and wise Big Nutbrown Hare
 Oh No, George! Chris Haughton
Harris is off to do some shopping. “Will you be good, George?” he asks. George really wants to … but chocolate cake is just so very delicious and he does love to chase cats… Chris Haughton’s distinctive artwork perfectly accompanies the innocent charm of a dog trying to be good – with hilarious results!
 Adam’s Greatest Inventions Benji Bennett
Adam embarks on another magnificent adventure of discovery and wonder as he seeks to find history’s greatest invention.  This, the 6th book in Benji Bennett’s bestselling series Adam’s Amazing Adventures,  promises to enchant and delight children and adults of all ages.
 This Moose Belongs to Me Oliver Jeffers
An exquisitely-illustrated, witty and thought-provoking story, featuring a boy and his pet moose, from international picture book sensation, Oliver Jeffers.
Good luck, everybody!

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