AN OXFORD poet is in the running to win a top children’s book prize.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave will be up against five other writers in the younger fiction category of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017.
Her novel The Girl of Ink and Stars was named on the shortlist when it was released by the book shop chain today.
The book tells the story of Isabella Riosse, the daughter of a cartographer who lives on the island of Joya which is both steeped in mythology and shrouded in mystery.
When her best friend Lupe runs away and disappears into the forbidden forest Isabella volunteers to bring her back with only her knowledge of ancient myths and one of her father’s maps to guide her.
Ms Hargrave said: I loved writing Isabella’s adventure, and can’t believe she’s lead me on such an exciting one of my own.
“My deepest thanks to all the readers, librarians, teachers, bloggers and booksellers who have been a part of The Girl of Ink and Stars journey so far.”
The winners will be announced at an evening reception at Watersones in Piccadilly in London on Thursday, March 30.
The winner of each category will take home £2,000, with the overall winner receiving an extra £3,000.
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