Can appearances be this deceptive . . . . ?

2008 CILIP CARNEGIE WINNER CHALLENGES ARTHURIAN LEGEND

At 12 noon today Michael Portillo presented the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal 2008 to Philip Reeve for 'Here Lies Arthur' his fresh, bold retelling of the Arthurian legend.

"I didn't believe it at first," says Reeve, "but as I got over the shock and it began to sink in, I felt totally honoured. It is very special to win the CILIP Carnegie Medal. It has such a history and I admire so many past winners' work it is quite humbling to be ranked alongside them."

Reeve already has three major book prizes to his credit. In 2001 his first novel 'Mortal Engines' was an instant success winning both the Nestle Smarties Gold Award (2002) and the Blue Peter Book of the Year (2003). 'Mortal Engines' was the first of his Hungry Cities quartet the last of which, 'A Darkling Plain', won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2006.

"'Here Lies Arthur' is an outstanding book, and deserving winner," says Tricia Adams, Chair of the 12 strong librarian judging panel. "Reeve's is a consistent story-telling voice that brings us a subtle and credible retelling of the King Arthur myth. It is both a page turning adventure story and a clever historical novel. It also has clear political resonance for our times, demonstrating humanity's need to sustain hope and optimism, and our tendency to favour myth over reality to achieve that end."

Reeve's fascination with the legends of Arthur began with John Boorman's film 'Excalibur'. As a teenager he found out all he could about the myth through the various retellings and portrayals that punctuate our culture and history. It became the novel he was determined to write, however, it took over 20 years before he decided how to tackle it.

Reeve gives the story Welsh Celtic roots and his choice of the young orphan girl Gwyna as narrator gives a fresh perspective on Arthur's world and time. It's AD 500, the Romans have left, and the Celts live in fear of the Saxon invasion. The character of Myrddin (Merlin) is no magician but instead relies on trickery to spin myths around Arthur, creating the credible leader the Celts so badly need. However, in reality, Reeve's Arthur is no more than a self-interested thug.

Reeve's are complex and ambiguous characters, as is his story. Many see it as a satire of our times; a sharp reflection on politics, celebrity and spin-doctoring. However, he is clear that what he set out to do was to write an adventure story for young people, although he is pleased to hear that children get the 'pun' of the title.

The CILIP Carnegie Medal celebrated its 70^th Anniversary in 2007. It is the UK's longest running and most respected award for children's writing. Over the last seven decades it has come to be regarded as the arbiter of quality in writing for children and young people. Since 1937, the children's librarians who annually select the short list and winning title, have recognised world class writers and frequently spotted fresh talent ahead of the market. Philip Reeve joins the list of past Medal winners that includes many of the greats of 20th and 21st century children's literature: Eleanor Farjeon, Anne Fine, Elizabeth Goudge, CS Lewis, Mary Norton, Noel Streatfeild, Philip Pullman and David Almond to name a few.

Writers often describe the Carnegie as "the one they want to win". Although there is no cash reward, it is thought of as the most prestigious acknowledgement of writing due to its unique judging process. Most of today's literary and book awards seek submissions from publishers and votes from the public. Not the CILIP Carnegie: the Medal's selection process is rooted in the professional expertise of librarians across the country who nominate titles for the long list. A panel of 12 children's librarian judges from the Youth Libraries Group then select the shortlist of up to eight titles and finally the winner.

The CILIP Carnegie Medal and its sister award, the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, are awarded annually by CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. The winners were announced at a ceremony at the British Library, London on Thursday 26 June 2008.

-Ends-

26 June 2008