Gráinne O'Brien is the head buyer at Kenny’s Bookshop, and being surrounded by all that literature must definitely rub off, evifdenced by her scooping another writing award last week.
The Galway author was announced winner of The Junior Juries’ Award for her book, 'Solo', at this year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards.
'Solo' is a young adult verse novel that takes its readers on a heart-stopping journey through music, love, betrayal and redemption through the main character of Daisy, in her final year of school.
Announced by host Rick O’Shea at a ceremony held in Dublin’s Merrion Square, in partnership with International Literature Festival Dublin, a total of six awards were presented to Irish authors and illustrators, including Gráinne O’Brien.
The five winning artists will share a total prize fund of €16,000.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said: “Children’s literature in Ireland is ever-evolving and this year’s winners undoubtedly reflect that. The winning titles are deeply imaginative and original, and by turns side-splittingly funny and incredibly moving. It’s a joy to see neurodivergent characters so strongly represented in this inclusive selection of excellent books."
The KPMG Book of the Year is ‘Don’t Trust Fish!’ by author Neil Sharpson and illustrator Dan Santat. The The Honour Award for Illustration went to Colleen Larmour for ‘This That What’. The Honour Award for Fiction: ‘My Name is Jodie Jones’ by Emma Shevah. The Judges’ Special Award: ‘Skipshock’ by Caroline O’Donoghue. The Eilís Dillon Award: ‘The Doomsday Club’ by Kevin Moran.
