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Murder story wins top UK children's book prize
An Irish American novelist writing about a real life murder at the turn of the 20th century has been awarded the Carnegie Medal, Britain's highest honor for children's literature. Jennifer Donnelly received the prize on Friday for her book, "A Gathering Light," set in upstate New York. Donnelly beat a competitive field which included Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time," a British novel which has won a raft of prizes, including Whitbread Book of the Year. The annual Carnegie prize is awarded by children's librarians. Winners over the past 68 years have included C.S Lewis, Richard Adams and Terry Pratchett. Liverpool artist and writer Shirley Hughes was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal for children's illustration with "Ella's Big Chance: A Fairy Tale Retold." She first won the prestigious prize 26 years ago. Donnelly, 40, was born in New York and worked as an antiques dealer, copywriter and journalist to support her writing. She lived in London as a university student and cites the city's East End as a source of inspiration in her writing, which she persisted with despite being rejected by every major publishing house in New York. Donnelly has written two novels but "A Gathering Light" was her first foray into writing for teenagers. Set in 1906, it is the story of 16-year old Mattie, a hotel chambermaid struggling with her desire for a better life. Intertwined in the plot is the story of a real life murder mystery. The book, published by Bloomsbury, was recently given a boost when it was one of six featured on Richard and Judy's Book Club on Channel 4. Other finalists this year included "The Fire Eaters" by David Almond; "The Garbage King" by Elizabeth Laird; "Private Peaceful" by Michael Morpurgo and "Sisterland" by Linda Newbury.
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