A Renfrew author has been named the winner of the 2021 Scottish Teenage Book Prize.
Ross MacKenzie’s Evernight was voted as the best book by hundreds of teenagers who read all three books shortlisted for the national award.
Evernight was the most popular read with more than 40 per cent of the vote.
Ross, who has already received several accolades for his books for children and teenagers, said he was absolutely delighted to have captured the imagination of young readers all over the country.
He said: “Winning any award is wonderful, but what makes the Scottish Teenage Book Prize so special is the fact that teenagers all over Scotland have voted Evernight as their winner.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to everyone who voted, or how proud I am that my book just might have provided an escape of sorts during a very difficult, sometimes frightening year.
“Thank you all, and happy reading!”
Evernight follows orphan Larabelle Fox on an adventure as she seeks to save the world from the Evernight which threatens to turn everything into darkness and chaos.
The sequel to the much-loved book, Feast of the Evernight, was released earlier this month.
Ross, who lives with his wife and two children in Renfrew, is not new to literary success with his earlier novel, The Nowhere Emporium winning both the Blue Peter Book Award and Scottish Children’s Book Award.
He regularly visits primary schools and libraries across Renfrewshire where he discusses the power of stories and imagination.
In 2019 he penned The Clumps’ Big Mess as part of Renfrewshire’s Team Up to Clean Up campaign.
It was a tale that educated youngsters on the damage littering can do to the environment and a copy of the book was given to every child in the local authority area.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Congratulations to Ross MacKenzie on winning this year’s Scottish Teenage Book Prize.
“It’s been fantastic to see young people across Scotland getting involved, reading the shortlisted books and voting for their favourite read. Thank you to the teachers and librarians that promoted the Scottish Teenage Book Prize within their schools.
“I’m sure those who voted in the prize will be thrilled to learn that the sequel to Evernight was released this month.”
The Scottish Teenage Book Prize, now in its fifth year, was set up to celebrate the most popular teen books by authors in Scotland.
It is run by Scottish Book Trust with support from Creative Scotland.
Shortlisted authors receive £500 and the winner receives £2,000.
The two other shortlisted novels this year were The Gifted, The Talented and Me by William Sutcliffe and White Eagles by Elizabeth Wein.
