CHILDREN across Oxfordshire have revealed their favourite books of last year.

Top of the reading pile are A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness, Gangsta Granny, by David Walliams, and Good Little Wolf, by Nadia Shireen.

Kids were invited to nominate their favourite stories as part the Oxfordshire Book Awards.

And the power was placed firmly in the hands of the young bookworms, as it was their votes which chose the winners.

Burford School librarian Lynne Cooper, who initially set up the West Oxfordshire Book Awards in 2007 before launching it as a countywide competition, said she was delighted with how many children were now involved.

She said: “It has really taken off and gathered momentum. We now have public libraries coming on board.

“Each year we seem to gather more schools and we are getting more from central Oxford as well.”

This year, 24 secondary schools and 30 primaries took part in the vote.

Their nominations helped draw up the shortlisted books in three categories – primary, secondary and picture – and then the youngsters voted for their favourites.

Nadia Shireen said she was “delighted and honoured” to have been chosen as the picture book winner.

She said: “To know that readers have enjoyed my book is a real thrill, so thank you so much to every single person who voted.

“I was so proud to be shortlisted alongside I’m Sure I Saw A Dinosaur and A Place To Call Home which are both fantastic books.”

A Monster Calls is based on an idea by Siobhan Dowd, whose death from cancer prevented her writing it herself.

Patrick Ness said: “Getting an award voted on by young readers themselves is probably the coolest thing that can happen to a writer for secondary students.I’m so pleased that they’ve embraced A Monster Calls, especially in that it keeps the work of the wonderful Siobhan Dowd – who lived in Oxfordshire until her death in 2007 – discussed and debated and read and loved.”

Youngsters who voted in the contest were full of praise for the winning entries. Burford School pupil Roza Jura, 12, said of A Monster Calls: “It was brilliant. This was the best book ever.”

Five-year-old Ben Weston read Gangsta Granny with his own grandmother. He said: “It was good, just like my own granny, and gave me lots of information.”

Author and comedian David Walliams said: “Even though I wasn't clever enough to get into your university, I love Oxford and am really pleased you voted for my book.

“I hope to be back soon. Thank you so much.”

And Burford Primary School pupil Oliver Traynor, seven, said of Good Little Wolf: “I liked the fact that the big bad wolf got tied up by the little wolf. It was funny.”

The authors – and children – have been invited to an awards ceremony at Abingdon School in October.

The winning books were:

  • Secondary Schools: A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness — Walker Books. Every night, Conor is visited by a story-telling monster – half giant, half yew tree – as his mother is dying. Based on an idea by Siobhan Dowd, whose death prevented her writing it herself.

    • Primary Schools: Gangsta Granny, by David Walliams – Harper Collins. Ben is bored when he is made to stay at his grandmother’s house, until he finds out she wants to steal the Crown Jewels.

    • Picture Books: Good Little Wolf, by Nadia Shireen – Jonathan Cape. Rolf is a wolf, but is good and little rather than big and bad. Cue an identity crisis.