THE GONE BOOK by Helena Close and published by Little Island becomes first ever Irish book nominated for the Carnegie Medal
In the first ever year that the Carnegie Medal has been opened up to Irish-published books, Little Island today announced the nomination of THE GONE BOOK by Helena Close, also shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards in the YA category.
The Carnegie Medal is widely regarded as the most prestigious prize for books for young readers in the world. For more information see: https://carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/nominations-published-for-the-2021-cilip-carnegie-kate-greenaway-medals/
Author Helena Close says:
“I am honoured and delighted that my novel has been nominated for The Carnegie Medal. Doubly chuffed that a story so resonant of my city of Limerick and published by Little Island, a small independent publisher, made it onto this prestigious list.”
Publisher Matthew Parkinson-Bennett says:
“There were tears in the Little Island office when we found out about this. This is the children’s books equivalent of getting onto the Booker longlist in the first year Irish books became eligible for it. That a book about Limerick has made the list for this globally renowned prize is a testament to the authenticity of Helena’s depiction of teenage experience and the courage and excellence of her writing. The book suffered from coming out just before lockdown in the spring so we hope this will give it a new boost.”
THE GONE BOOK is a gritty YA novel set in Limerick. Matt’s mam left home when he was 10. He writes letters to her but he doesn’t send them. He keeps them in his Gone Book. Five years of letters about his life. Five years of hurt. When Matt finds out his mam has moved back to Limerick with her new family, he knows he needs to find her. To finally deliver the truth.
Read Síne Quinn’s review of the book here: booksirelandmagazine.com/review-the-gone-book/
Helena Close, from Limerick City in Ireland, has been writing full-time for 20 years. She has written or co-written seven novels, published by Hodder Headline, Hachette Ireland and Blackstaff Press (some co-authored under the pseudonym Sarah O’Brien). Set in her native Limerick, The Gone Book is her first young adult novel.
