Glastonbury school celebrates student book awards
By Laura Linham 30th Apr 2026
Students from St Dunstan's School in Glastonbury helped choose the winner of this year's Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership School Book Award.
The awards ceremony was held last Thursday at Frome College's Merlin Theatre, where students from secondary schools across the MNSP Trust gathered with library staff, authors and guest author Tom Palmer.
Student judging panels, including pupils from St Dunstan's School, had read and voted on six shortlisted books.
Their votes alone decided the winner.
The winning book was Mondays Are Murder by Ravena Guron.
Norton Hill School student judge Robert described it as "thrilling, dangerous and deadly" and a "must-read".
Student judge Phoebe wrote: "I didn't realise you could fit so many plot twists into one book! No one was safe!"
The shortlisted titles were Young Gothic by M. A. Bennett, Not for The Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher, Fear Files: Hide and Seek by Christopher Edge, Mondays Are Murder by Ravena Guron, The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall and The Scream of The Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones.
The event celebrated reading for pleasure, with students giving presentations on their favourite shortlisted books.
The shortlisted authors also took part in a discussion panel, answering students' questions. The panel was chaired by Olive Morris, librarian at St Dunstan's School.
Host Natalie Owsley, library manager at Frome College, Emma Reynolds, head at Frome College, and Tom Palmer gave short speeches about the power of books.
Students said the awards had encouraged them to explore new genres and write their own stories.
Paige said: "I've realised whilst reading the shortlisted books, that I like adventure and ghost stories, as well as mysteries."
Mia said: "After reading (and rereading!) Young Gothic, I have looked into more gothic books and really want to start my own project."
Students also visited a pop-up bookshop run by Hunting Raven, met authors and took part in a raffle for book-themed prizes donated by participating schools and Hunting Raven Bookshop.
The Library Book Awards are now in their second year.
They are organised by library staff across the MNSP Trust to highlight and celebrate reading for pleasure.
Organisers thanked the shortlisted authors, MNSP staff and students, Hunting Raven Books and Bath Aqua Glass for their support.
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