The finalists
This was the shortlist for the Manchester Book Award 2008 - the most fantastic British books published in the last year!
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Being by Kevin Brooks
An operation goes wrong. Robert is on the run, desperate for answers. But what if the answers are too frightening to face?
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Berserk by Ally Kennen
Chas writes to a murderer on Death Row, pretending to be his mum. His new penpal is released and Chas’ life spirals out of control…
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Do The Creepy Thing by Graham Joyce
Caz and her friend Lucy do the Creepy Thing: a bizarre version of ‘chicken’, breaking into houses while people are asleep.
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The Devil's Breath: Danger Zone by David Gilman
Max’s explorer father has gone missing and Max is determined to find him, whatever the dangers.
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Girl, Missing by Sophie McKenzie
Lauren always knew she was adopted, but finds out she may have been snatched as a baby. Suddenly her whole life seems like a sham.
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Nemesis by Catherine MacPhail
Ram wakes up with no memory of who he is. How does he come to be a murder suspect and why is an assassin after him?
The runners-up
These 18 books didn't make it to the shortlist - but they are still great reads!
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Darkside by Tom Becker
Your home’s been attacked. Your dad’s in an asylum. You’re running for your life. Nightmares walk the streets and there’s nowhere to hide.
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Dirty Work by Julia Bell
Two very different teenagers are thrown together in terrifying circumstances. Their only chance of escape lies with each other…
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Angel by Cliff McNish
Freya discovers that she is a guardian angel. Stephanie is jealous. Learning to harness her otherworldly abilities is complicated.
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Fight Game by K Wild
Gypsy boy Freedom Smith has the cops on his tail yet again. But this time they want to recruit him, because of his fighting skills.
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Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine
Lucas doesn’t make many friends. He prefers solitude and introspection, but then comes across Violet Park (deceased) in a cab office.
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Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve
Gwyna is a small girl when she’s bound in service to Myrddin – but he transforms her into a lady goddess, a boy warrior, and a spy.
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Kill Swap by James Lovegrove
A boy with a big problem. A father in debt to a gangster. A man who says he has the answer. Darkness. A gun. Someone’s about to die.
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Kiss of Death by Malcolm Rose
In the plague village of Eyam, Lim and Wes pick up something they hadn’t bargained for. Seth is forced to face a terrible truth.
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My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick
Vampire slayer gypsies come to Peter’s village and his life is turned upside down. Horrific things are about to happen.
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Waves by Sharon Dogar
Hal’s sister is in a coma. When the family makes the difficult decision to go on holiday without her, Hal can’t shake off her presence.
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Twin Freaks by Paul Magrs
Helen and her sister Eunice have auditioned for all the TV talent shows, but no-one wants to know. Then mum’s new boyfriend has a plan…
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Tug of War by Catherine Forde
Molly is sent to the country as bombs shatter UK cities. She realises how important her family is, and how close she comes to losing them.
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Sundae Girl by Cathy Cassidy
Jude’s family is bizarre – her mum brings her nothing but trouble, while her dad thinks he’s Elvis! All Jude wants is a hassle-free life!
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The Spellgrinder's Apprentice by N M Browne
An orphaned boy escapes from a terrible dark cellar where he grinds spellstones. If he can flee the country in eight days, he will be free.
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Sebastian Darke by Philip Caveney
Seb has taken on his late father’s job – celebrated jester, Prince of Fools. Trouble is, he can’t tell a joke to save his life.
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Roundabout by Rhiannon Lassiter
Romany Magda and rich boy Seb are drawn to each other. What will Magda do when she finds out who wants to evict her fellow travellers?
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The Rope Ladder by Nigel Richardson
Mungo’s world falls apart when his dad dies. Then he meets a boy who can change their world in a weird and inexplicable way.
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Red Fox Running by Robin Lloyd Jones
Adam’s father was an Arctic whaler – but didn’t make it home again. Adam wants to find him, so signs on as cabin boy and heads north.