Nestlé Children's Book Prize

Julia Golding has won the Nestlé Children's Book Prize for The Diamond of Drury Lane.

Here's a quote from the press release: "Ms Golding's atmospheric adventure story captivated the prize's school-age judges and won the gold medal for the best book in the nine to eleven years category. Set in London's theatre-land in the 1790s, The Diamond of Drury Lane tells the story of an orphan who becomes involved in a diamond mystery. "

I really want to read this book, but I don't see a U.S. publication date. Anyone know the publication status for The Diamond of Drury Lane in the States?

Mouse Noses on Toast, by Daren King, illustrated by David Roberts, took the gold for the 6-8 category. That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown, by Cressida Cowell, illustrated by Neal Layton, is tops for the under 5s.

Top 10 characters from Children's Historical Fiction

The Guardian is at it again with another interesting article on children's books.

Today, Julia Golding, author of the Cat Royal series, lists her top 10 characters from historical fiction. She choses titles from a variety of historical eras, beginning with:

• 1. Prehistoric: Torak in Michelle Paver's Wolf Brother. You root for the orphan boy from the beginning because he is an outcast, trying to survive in the harsh world of a prehistoric forest. You get to sniff the scents, taste the food and feel the fear along with him.

Most recent historical era? WWII and Golding selects one of my personal favorites, Goodnight Mister Tom. If you haven't read this book, you must, as Golding explains:

• 10. Second world war: Tom Oakley in Michelle Magorian's Goodnight Mister Tom. A tale of two lost souls, an evacuee and Mr Tom, helping each other through the traumas of war in Blitz Britain. A beautiful book about childhood, grief and love. You can't read it without falling for Mr Tom's gentle curmudgeonly strength yourself.