Schoolchildren are scrutinising the work of authors as they thrash out who should receive an inaugural literary award.

The first ever Haringey Children’s Book Award (HCBA) has seen kids reading books in their own school groups all term, as well as coming together for author visits and discussion days.

Children from Years 5, 6 and 7 will come together next week to vote on their favourite from a shortlist with the winner announced at the end of the ceremony.

The HCBA was set up earlier this year by librarian Helen Swinyard to promote literacy in Haringey and improve collaboration between schools.

Ms Swinyard, who is the librarian at Heartlands High School in Station Road, Wood Green, said: “Librarians and teaching staff already work hard in schools to encourage reading for pleasure and this is just one more way to get children reading, discussing and discovering new books and authors.

“Haringey school and public librarians as well as local booksellers have been very enthusiastic about the books and the process”.

The shortlisted works are Stay where you are and then leave by John Boyne, The amazing tale of Ali Pasha by Michael Foreman, The Last Wild by Piers Torday, Scarlet Ibis by Gill Lewis and Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo.

The winner will be crowned at Heartlands High on July 7.