On Friday 22 March, hundreds of young people from schools across Haringey and north London filled the Palace’s Theatre for the finale of Biblio-Buzz 2024, the Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Award!

The Award challenges young people, aged 9-12, to read six selected texts, complete challenges, take part in workshops, then vote for their favourite book and meet the authors at the awards.

Young Biblio-Buzz participants this year voted Finn Jones Was Here by Simon James Green as their favourite text. The book is a funny, heart-breaking story about life and loss, and making every second count.

Biblio-Buzz – which is an annual event running from November to March – is part of the Palace’s Creative Learning programme and aims to use the power of literature to reach and inspire young creative minds, and raise their interest in books and libraries. It is a partnership project between the Palace, Haringey Library Service, librarians, schools, professional authors, publishers and local books shops.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 23 March, participants, authors and families gathered in Wood Green Library to see Nazneen Ahmed Pathak’s book City of Stolen Magic announced as the winner of the Biblio-Buzz Library Award. This award was voted for by those participating in Biblio-Buzz via their local library.

Both award ceremonies were compered by the inimitable Jack Meggitt-Phillips, who was the winning author of Biblio-Buzz 2022.

Check out photos and memories from the day:

Absolutely over the moon that FINN JONES WAS HERE has won the @APChBookAward Voted for by 800 kids across schools in North London – what an honour! And what a brilliant day at the award ceremony – a theatre full
Of cheering, excited, book-loving young people! Loved it! pic.twitter.com/nzm07SXGuy

— Simon James Green (@simonjamesgreen) March 22, 2024

I am overwhelmed to have won this award from readers from the very libraries that were my sanctuaries and treasure chests when I was growing up in Wood Green. This North London girl is so proud today. Thank you so so much #bibliobuzz @APChBookAward @Yourallypally @haringeylibrary https://t.co/cIVaS0OzCq pic.twitter.com/u8e8sdd61O

— Dr Nazneen Ahmed Pathak (@nazneen372) March 23, 2024

A palace filled with 800 children, 5 superstar authors (& 1 there in spirit), and a peculiar man hosting the event with his parrot. @APChBookAward is the BEST author day of the year! Thanks everyone who made it possible and congrats to winners @simonjamesgreen and @nazneen372. pic.twitter.com/u9nGXUEJq6

— Jack Meggitt-Phillips (@MeggittPhillips) March 23, 2024

The very best MC, ⁦@MeggittPhillips⁩ at #bibliobuzz ⁦@APChBookAward⁩ ⁦@apschool⁩ ⁦@Yourallypally⁩ pic.twitter.com/a3eQPg28Pe

— Alexandra Park School Library (@apslibrary1) March 22, 2024

⁦@APChBookAward⁩ ⁦@Yourallypally⁩ ⁦@apschool⁩ the winner is… ⁦@simonjamesgreen⁩ We all had such a great time. Thank you ⁦@HelenSwinyard⁩ ⁦@klereira⁩ ⁦@fortislibbie⁩ ⁦@TanyaEfthymiou⁩ pic.twitter.com/vVNjBYmf9g

— Alexandra Park School Library (@apslibrary1) March 22, 2024

Simon James Green: “I am absolutely thrilled to win the Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Award with Finn Jones Was Here. The fact it’s voted for by hundreds of young people makes it all the more special, and it means a lot that this story of grief, hope, friendship, and belting out Lady Gaga songs while dressed as unicorn has resonated with so many of them. Walking out on stage in that beautiful theatre, in front of eight hundred cheering kids, with rock concert lighting, at an event which included books, authors, and live music was absolutely magic. And what a fantastic way to encourage and celebrate all things reading – hats off to the librarians and team who put this together because it’s something everyone involved will remember for the rest of their lives. Events like this prove that kids love books and reading more than ever and it was an honour to be part of that.”

Emma Dagnes Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust CEO: “It was fantastic to see our young Biblio-Buzz participants enjoying themselves at the awards ceremonies. They’ve all put in a huge amount of work over recent months to read the books and take on a number of challenges. To then vote for their favourite text and meet the authors in person is a brilliant way to celebrate. Biblio-Buzz is a pillar of our annual programme here at the Palace, part of our ongoing partnership with local libraries, and this year it has gone to new heights with more participants than ever. We’ve also had the addition of building the awards into our new North London Book Festival, which took place across the weekend. It is a privilege to support all the young readers on their journey through the world of books. A huge thanks go to all the schools, libraries, bookshops and authors who have partnered with us to provide this unique opportunity.”

The Biblio-Buzz 2024 shortlist was selected by a team of local school librarians, who are the founders of the Book Award, it featured:

• The Song Walker – Zillah Bethell
• Finn Jones Was Here – Simon James Green
• The Stories Grandma Forgot – Nadine Aisha Jassat
• Midwinter Burning – Tanya Landman
• City of Stolen Magic – Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
• Bite Risk – S.J. Wills

This year the official suppliers of Biblio-Buzz 2024 were Muswell Hill Children’s Bookshop and Pickled Pepper Books who provided discounted packs of the shortlisted books to schools or individuals who took part in Biblio-Buzz.

For the first time in 2024 Biblio-Buzz was extended to cover Enfield libraries, the awards for which will be announced later in the year.

Read more about our Creative Learning programme.