Extensive Reading Foundation
2009 Language Learner Literature Award Winners |
Every year, the Extensive Reading Foundation recognizes the best new works of language learner literature in English.
From books published in 2008, the ERF judges have selected a winner from the finalists in each of the five categories: Young Learners, Adolescents & Adults: Beginners, Adolescents & Adults: Elementary, Adolescents & Adults: Intermediate, Adolescents & Adults: Advanced.
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Young Learners Finalists |
 | Farley the Red Panda *** WINNER ***
Contributing Writer: Sue Leather Series Editor: Rob Waring
Illustrator: National Geographic Digital Media At America's San Diego Zoo, they have a new special animal. It's a red panda called "Farley". Life hasn't been easy for Farley. He's had some big problems. He also has some big changes ahead! What kind of problems did farley have? What's going to happen to him?
Jury Comments: Aimed at older children at lower-intermediate level, the text combines narrative and factual information to win sympathy for the fighting spirit of a young animal and admiration for the helping humans.
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Series: Footprint Reading Library Pre-Intermediate
Publisher: Heinle ISBN: 9781424010585
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £4.00
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 | Amrita and the Trees
Retold By: Sue Arengo Illustrator: Christophe Berthoud Amrita loves trees, but can she protect them from the King and his men?
Jury Comments: A compelling, realistic story with an important message, nicely balancing learner-friendly text with attractive artwork.
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Series: Classic Tales Beginner 2
Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780194225557
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £4.50
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 | Big Baby Finn
Retold By: Sue Arengo Illustrator: Damian Ward The story of Big Baby Finn and his encounter with the giant Benan.
Jury Comments: A traditional Irish folktale with its warm mixture of ingenuity and cooperation, balancing text and artwork in an attractive style.
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Series: Classic Tales Beginner 2
Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780194225564
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £4.50
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Adolescents & Adults: Beginner Finalists |
 | Why? *** WINNER ***
Author: Philip Prowse Illustrators: Paul Dickinson
Series Editor: Philip Prowse Alex is a soldier with a peace-keeping force in a poor country torn apart by fighting. He doesn't speak the language and is not sure why he is there. On patrol he comes face to face with the reality of what arms sales mean and pays the ultimate price. Why?
Jury Comments: Serious issues are presented in excellent, understandable prose complemented by superb illustrations. A pioneering work of language learner literature.
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Series: Cambridge English Readers Level S (Starter/Beginner)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9780521732956
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £3.65
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 | Planespotting
Author: James Bean Illustrator: Paul Könye Series Editor: James Bean Gary Kent is 13 years old and lives in Sydney near the airport. He knows all the airplanes that land there, all the airlines and all the flights - Gary is a "planespotter". One afternoon he is planespotting when a part falls off one of the planes. Flight number PP401 is in danger - and there is only one and a half hours before it is due to land!
Jury Comments: An original and engaging adventure story for teenagers that keeps you thinking, "What will happen next?".
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Series: Hueber Lektüren Level 1
Publisher: Hueber Verlag ISBN: 9783192429712
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £7.95
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 | The Story of Coffee
Author: : Jennifer Gascoigne Design and Art Direction: Nadia Maestri Many people all over the world start their day with a cup of coffee. Black or white, espresso or filter - there are so many ways of preparing it. In this book you can learn more about the coffee plant and the history of this popular drink. And you can find a recipe for a frappuccino, too!
Jury Comments: This fact-filled, well-illustrated book has a stylish magazine-like format that will be enjoyed by students.
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Series: Easyreads Level 1
Publisher: Black Cat Publishing ISBN: 8853008296
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £4.00
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Adolescents & Adults: Elementary Finalists |
 | White Fang *** WINNER ***
Author: Jack London Retold By: Rachel Bladon
Illustrators: John Dillow and Martin Sanders White Fang; half-dog, half-wolf is raised in the wild but soon becomes the property of Gray Beaver, a Yukon Indian. Knowing only cruelty of man and the violence of nature, White Fang becomes the most savage and wild of dogs, until he is rescued by kindness.
Jury Comments: A gripping story that is just as gripping in its adaptation. The technical skill of structural and lexical control is first class, and the illustrations support comprehension.
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Series: Macmillan Readers Elementary
Publisher: Macmillan ISBN: 9780230034402
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £4.00
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 | Cries from the Heart: Stories from Around the World
Authors: Sefi Atta et al Retold by: Jennifer Bassett
Illustrator: Kwame Nyong'o Series Editor: Jennifer Bassett From Botswana to New Zealand, from Jamaica to Nigeria, from Uganda to Malaysia, from India to South Africa, these moving stories show us that the human heart is the same in every place. Children, wives, mothers, husbands, friends all have the same feelings of fear and pain, happiness and sadness. These eight stories were winning entries in the 2004 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.
Jury Comments: The best stories are very good indeed, and the adaptation is seamless and dramatic.
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Series: Oxford Bookworms Library, World Stories, Stage 2
Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780194790840
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £4.75
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 | One Day
Author: Helen Naylor Illustrator: Kathryn Baker
Series Editor: Philip Prowse It was just a normal Friday evening in Moreland Road. Jason was listening to his iPod and couldn't hear his mother shouting. Nina wasn't sure how to tell her husband about her news. Maggie smiled as she thought about her holiday romance in Chile. Sam looked worried - money trouble again.
Then that evening something happened which changed all of their lives.
Jury Comments: This skillfully handled, engaging story with an intriguing final twist deserves the name literature.
Series: Cambridge English Readers Level 2 (Elementary/Lower-int)
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9780521714228
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £4.20
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Adolescent & Adult: Intermediate Finalists |
 | Land of my Childhood: Stories from South Asia*** WINNER ***
Authors: Romesh Gunesekera et al Retold By: Clare West
Illustrator: Arya Praharaj Series Editor: Jennifer Bassett "My brother preferred being with mother and me. He used to help us prepare vegetables in the kitchen or make the bread. But what he liked best was listening to my mother's stories."
But those childhood days are long gone, and now a great distance divides sister and brother, children and mother.
The stories in this volume of World Stories come from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Jury Comments: These touching, engaging stories open up other worlds while making you think more about your own.
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Series: Oxford Bookworms Library, World Stories, Stage 4
Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780194792356
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £5.25
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 | Dancing with Strangers: Stories from Africa
Author: Jack Cope et al Retold By: Clare West
Illustrator: Kwame Nyong'o et al Series Editor: Jennifer Bassett "Sometimes I think this search is hopeless. So much has happened since I last saw my friends. Perhaps they have died or the rebels have taken them away. But I know I have to find Laker. I know she needs me."
In a country torn by war, it is easy to stop hoping. All Atita has is an old photograph. She does not even know if she will recognize Laker after all these years . . .
Jury Comments: This excellent, thought-provoking collection of short stories takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from sad to frightened to delighted.
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Series: Oxford Bookworms Library, World Stories, Stage 3
Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780194791977
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £5.25
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 | Road to Nowhere
Author: Pauline O'Carolan Illustrator: Elizabeth Botté
Series Editor: James Bean Nick doesn't like his life on the farm, the hard work and long hours on top of school. His parents need him to contribute to the running of the farm. It is different on the neighboring farm run by Farmer Mason, there is enough manpower, but as Nick soon realises Farmer Mason's activities aren't entirely legal.
Jury Comments: This well-written, exciting story deals with an important issue in an entertaining and believable way.
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Series: Hueber Lektüren Level 4
Publisher: Hueber Verlag ISBN: 9783193629715
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £9.95
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Adolescent & Adult: Upper intermediate & Advanced Finalists |
 | Nelson's Dream *** WINNER ***
Authors: J.M. Newsome Series Editor: Philip Prowse Nelson Mbizi returns to his home in southern Africa after studying in Britain. When he tries to help a family of orphans he meets Viki, a South African TV presenter. The story of Nelson and Viki's relationship is told against a background of HIV/AIDS and government corruption on the one hand, and great good humour and wonderful music on the other.
Jury Comments: A compelling story, with strong characters and a convincing setting, told in accessible and moving language.
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Series: Cambridge English Readers 6 (Advanced)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9780521716048
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £5.25
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 | The Art Show
Author: Paula Smith Illustrator: Elizabeth Botté
Series Editor: James Bean Sophie loves painting and drawing. She dreams of going to Art College to study, but her parents will not hear of it. But her art teacher Mrs. Pace is sure that Sophie is capable. After attending a private view Sophie is convinced that painting is the right path for her. She also becomes aware that she needs the support of her parents. A special exhibition could be the right solution ...
Jury Comments: This is the kind of simple, fast-moving story that will make our students want to read more books.
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Series: Hueber Lektüren Level 6
Publisher: Hueber Verlag ISBN: 9783194429710
Publication Date: 2008 Format: Paperback Price: £10.95
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