Dyslexic writer wins Carnegie Medal

An inspiring report from the BBC

 

Sally Gardner, a dyslexic author once branded "unteachable" at school, has won the prestigious Carnegie Medal for her book Maggot Moon.

Gardner's novel tells the story of a dyslexic boy living in an alternative 1950s Britain, whose rulers are intent on winning the space race.

"I'm still wondering if I'm going to wake and find that winning the Carnegie Medal is a dream," Gardner said.

"If it is true, then it has the quality of a dream come true."

 

Accepting her award at Wednesday's ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London, Gardner - who campaigns on behalf of those with dyslexia - criticised education secretary Michael Gove's new curriculum.

"Without books I would not be a writer and without the zeal of librarians I would not have won this award," she said. "I believe teachers and librarians should be free to instil a life-long love of learning, without being policed by an outdated curriculum.

"I firmly believe Gove's new curriculum excludes rather than embraces those like me, and millions of others, with a different way of seeing and thinking."

Alongside Maggot Moon, the seven Carnegie shortlisted titles were A Greyhound of a Girl by former Booker prize-winner Roddy Doyle, Wonder by RJ Palacio; The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan; A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton; In Darkness by Nick Lake; Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick; and Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein.