Berlie Doherty appointed as Derbyshire Reading Champion

Derbyshire Reading Champion


On World Book Day 2010 at County Hall the Derbyshire Reading Champion was launched; a two year appointment with a minimum 10 guaranteed commissions.
Berlie Doherty, twice winner of the Carnegie medal for childrens books and a writer of many years standing, has been appointed. Her first book, How Green You Are!, was published in January 1982.

Berlie lives in Edale,Derbyshire and has been writing for children since 1982 and has also written several novels for adults. She has had plays performed on BBC Radio 4, on television and in the theatre. She has also been nominated on several occasions for the Blue Peter Book Awards, the Carnegie medal, which she won in 1986 and 1991 and the international Astrid Lindgren award, amongst numerous other awards. Many of her books take the Derbyshire countryside as her inspiration for settings. Her latest novel is “A Beautiful place for a Murder” In addition she has given readings and undertaken workshops with adults and children.  She is also the Culture Champion for the Peak District National Park.
She has won the coveted Carnegie Medal for two of her novels – ‘Dear Nobody’ and ‘Granny was a Buffer Girl’.  In 2004 she won the Phoenix Award for ‘Jeannie of White Peak Farm’.

Although Berlie is best known for her children’s books her other works include plays for theatre and radio, novels for adults and libretti for children’s opera.

Berlie is appointed for two years, to promote reading and a love of books and libraries to adult and young people

The Derbyshire Reading Champion scheme is a new initiative developed by Derbyshire County Council, to encourage the love of books and reading in children and young people.

The Derbyshire Reading Champion is an honorary position, and the tenure runs for two years from March 2010 to March 2012. 

The brief:
It is expected that the Reading Champion will:
 take reading to a variety of young and family audiences
 bring a high profile to reading as a vibrant and creative activity
 enable children and young people to experience fiction and non-fiction, through listening, reading, writing or performing
 encourage library and other County Council staff to work even more closely with children and young people
 develop their own skills and creative practice as well as those of other writers in the county
 forge links with various groups and partners in Derbyshire through appearances, workshops and events
 raise the profile of Derbyshire writing

 

http://www.berliedoherty.com/index.html