So how did we compare this year?

Every year we compare our winners with those selected by the national judges (who are all adults). Most years we are very close. Sometimes we agree on every one.
Not this year though.
Yes, the National judges selected The story of Tom Brennan and they also liked Sound of the Sea and the Life of Riley, which they placed first.

It is the Junior category where we completely disagree! For the second year in a row, the national judges have selected a book that NOT ONE Delany student selected.

This year they chose Helicopter man. While it is a 'good book', students at Delany found it hard to make sense of, and some came to me and some did not even finish it.

The readers say they will all be interested to see what the judges choose next year. If the same thing happens again, we will write to them.