Far From Home wins the 2018 Educational Writers’ Award
The winner of the 2018 Educational Writers’ Award, the UK’s sole award for creative educational writing, is Far From Home: Refugees and Migrants Fleeing War, Persecution and Poverty by Cath Senker, a topical and richly illustrated book which sensitively examines the root causes of mass migrations of people in the 21st century.
The result of this year’s Award – the UK’s only award for creative educational writing – was announced at the All Party Parliamentary Writers Group (APWG) Winter Reception at the House of Commons. Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Culture Secretary presented winning author, Cath Senker with a cheque for £2,000.
Published by Franklin Watts, Far From Home examines the reasons behind the recent worldwide mass migrations of people due to war, extreme poverty and persecution, explaining some of the specific conflicts, political situations and cultural issues that dominate the headlines surrounding refugees and migrants. It includes first hand accounts that describe everything from the dangers encountered on migrant journeys and daily life in refugee camps, to encountering hostility, and for some the experience of finding a new home in safe countries.
This year’s judges – Philip Arkinstall, a curriculum leader for History in a Wiltshire secondary school; Elspeth Graham, a prolific author of both fiction and non-fiction for children; and Océane Toffoli, a senior school librarian and Vice-Chair of CILIP YLG London– were full of praise for the winning title:
This heart-breaking, powerful and very special book takes a thoughtful and relevant look at a subject we all need to understand and care about. It fully utilises every page, from the maps on the inside covers to the timeline, glossary and further reading section and is extremely readable and accessible for its secondary school audience. Never giving in to media stereotypes, it also provides a clear and compassionate catalyst for discussions about the plight of refugees, highlighting individual experiences and presenting different viewpoints in an impeccably non-judgmental way.
The 2018 Educational Writers’ Award focused on books for 11-18-year-olds, published in 2016 and 2017. Four other books were shortlisted for this year’s Award. They were: Loos Save Lives written by Seren Boyd (Wayland); How to Think Like a Coder written by Jim Christian and illustrated by Paul Boston (Batsford); From Prejudice To Pride written by Amy Lamé (Wayland); and The Story of Painting written and illustrated by Mick Manning & Brita Granström (Franklin Watts).
