BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD WINNERS 2019

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The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Raúf and The Colours of History by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Marc-Etienne Peintre, have been revealed as the 2019 Blue Peter Book Award winners.

The winning titles were voted for by over 300 children from 12 schools across the UK.

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Raúf is Winner of Best Story. It tells the story of how four classmates have a massive impact on the life of Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria. An inspiring tale that will help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness.

Onjali Q Raúf said: ‘What a wonderful, surreal, and truly epic honour it is to win this wonderful award! I can hardly believe that my childhood dream of owning a Blue Peter badge one day has come true in the most unexpected way possible! I am utterly bowled over by the love and support The Boy at the Back of the Class has received not just from the marvellous Blue Peter Judges, but all the children who voted for its place as a winning title this year – thank You.’

Winner of Best Book with Facts is The Colours of History by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Marc-Etienne Peintre

Clive Gifford said: ‘To be recognised by a show I watched and loved as a child (and still do as an adult) is a remarkable thing. I’m tickled pink! I want to thank all the children who voted for The Colours of History. And a big thank to BookTrust for the remarkable work they do. Awards like these are so important in getting across how books with facts can tell incredible and important stories and excite, inspire and entertain young minds as much as fiction.’

Illustrator Marc-Etienne Peintre commented: ‘I was very lucky to get to work with Clive and the Quarto team on such an interesting subject. I am extremely honoured to have won this prize, and most of all, to know that the children the book is intended for have read and enjoyed The Colours of History.’


Clive Gifford and Onjali Q Raúf will appear on a special World Book Day edition of Blue Peter, the longest running children’s programme in the world. Also appearing on the show are judges, award-winning author and illustrator Alex T Smith and author and parenting vlogger Louise Pentland.

Alex T. Smith, Author, Illustrator and Blue Peter Book Awards judge said: ‘It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of the Blue Peter Book Award judging panel this year, and such a delight to work with the other judges. It was a very competitive shortlist with brilliant titles, and it was a very close call but we think the students have made a fantastic decision!’

Blue Peter editor, Matthew Peacock said: “We’ve had a fantastically strong selection of titles for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2019 and it’s great to see children from across the UK voting to decide the outcome.’

Best story shortlist

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Raúf (Orion Children's Books)

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson (Usborne)

The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher (Firefly)

Best book with facts shortlist

The Colours of History by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Marc-Etienne Peintre (QED Publishing)

Professor Astrocat's Human Body Odyssey by Dr. Dominic Walliman, illustrated by Ben Newman (Flying Eye Books)

The Element in the Room by Mike Barfield, illustrated by Lauren Humphrey (Laurence King)