Jorgensen proves doubly popular

Maylands resident Norman Jorgensen has been shortlisted for a Western Australian Young Readers’ Book Award (WAYRBA) for his second book in a row.

Jorgensen, whose novel Jack’s Island won WAYRBA’s 2009 Hoffman award, is now in the running to pick up an award in the Picture Book Category for The Last Viking.

Jorgensen said he was proud to share the honour with co-creator and illustrator James Foley.

“I’m extremely pleased with this nomination as when the kids pick it your work you know you’ve got it right,” said Jorgensen.

The Last Viking was nominated alongside Sam, Grace and the Shipwreck by Fremantle Press author/illustrator team Michelle Gillespie and Sonia Martinez as well as works by Children’s Laureate Alison Lester, Oscar winner Shaun Tan and television comedian Anh Do.

WAYRBA is a readers’ choice award which asks young Western Australian readers what they like to read. Young people are asked to read titles and evaluate them as ‘terrific’, ‘good’, ‘okay’ or ‘awful’. More information about the award can be found at http://wayrba.org.au/

The Last Viking and Sam, Grace and the Shipwreck will both feature at the prestigious Hello! from Australia Exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in March 2012. They are available now in all good bookstores or from www.fremantlepress.com.au