I just found out today that The Ask and the Answer has been longlisted for two very excellent awards here in the UK.

It's been nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Medal (along with 55 other titles, so a long longlist).  This is the award that's decided by children's librarians, and which uses the shortlist (announced this coming April) for their utterly brilliant Carnegie Shadowing Scheme, where thousands of young people across the country read and debate the books.  I was lucky enough to be shortlisted last year for The Knife of Never Letting Go, and it's an absolutely amazing process. 

And The Ask and the Answer is also on the longlist for the UKLA Children's Book Award, decided on by schoolteachers, another prestigious group.  The Knife of Never Letting Go was shortlisted for this award last year, as well, and there are some excellent titles on this year's longlist.

So, fingers crossed for shortlistings on both this year.  But great to even be considered.

Finally, just one comment on this day's entry from Wharf.  I'm afraid I kind of like names to remain mysterious, Wharf, but I can reveal that Manchee wasn't named after a person.  It was far more mischievous than that...