The Highland Falcon Thief wins Belgium's Young Jury Prize!

Maya and I were thrilled to learn that De Juwelen Dief (The Highland Falcon Thief), translated by Marce Noordenbos and published by De Fontein has been voted the best children's book by reading groups of 10-12 year-olds winning Belgium's Young Jury Prize in its category!

Winning any award is special, but especially so when it is voted for by readers, like this one. It means a great deal to both of us that our books are being discovered by readers worldwide.

The Reading Jury is the largest young reading club in Flanders and Brussels. No fewer than 11,690 children and young people between the ages of 4 and 18 read and voted for their favourite books in the past year.

Each year, from September to April, children and young people read and discuss six or eight books and choose their winners. In each of the seven age categories, the book with the most votes wins. The children and young readers come together in groups in schools and libraries, or they can vote as an internet jury member.  You can learn more about it here.

I was lucky enough to be able to collect the Belgian award in person from Antwerp’s beautiful bookshop De Groene Waterman, where I signed editions of the first three books in the series, all available now in Belgium.