The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (Age 13+) has won the 2008 Guardian children's fiction prize. Todd is the last boy left in Prentisstown, a place where only men live; they exist in a world of noise, as their every thought can be heard. As Todd approaches his 13th birthday, he finds himself in great danger. Accompanied by his dog and guided by nothing but his own good sense, Todd must flee from Prentisstown and make his own way in a bleak and desolate world.
The Guardian children's fiction prize is the only children's book award in which writers are judged by their peers. This year's judges were Jenny Valentine, who won last year with Finding Violet Park, Mary Hoffman, author of The Falconer's Knot and Mal Peet, author of Keeper. The author receives a cheque for £1,500.
Report http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/sep/25/guardianchildrensfictionprize.booksforchildrenandteenagers
Longlist http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/may/24/guardianchildrensfictionprize.booksforchildrenandteenagers
More about the prize http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/guardianchildrensfictionprize
