Booktrust Teenage Prize 2010

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The Booktrust Teenage Prize 2010 has gone to Gregory Hughes for his debut novel, Unhooking The Moon. The judges cited the novel's "genuinely unique voice" when awarding the prize. And I, for one, would certainly agree. Unhooking The Moon tells the story of 10 year-old Rat, who travels across Canada with her older brother, Bob, in search of their Uncle.... either a very successful businessman, or a very sinister drug lord. While on their way, they meet a con man (great comic relief here) and famous rap star and find themselves in and out of severe danger, sometimes just by the skin of their teeth. The characters are astounding and their story is classically memorable. Tough, hard-edged and heart-warming, Unhooking The Moon truly deserves this, and any other accolade which happens to come it's way.

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