Literary prize will benefit Pinhoe Library

Devon County Councillor Roger Croad has thanked local prize winning author Kevin Brooks for donating £500 of books to his childhood library at Pinhoe, Exeter.

Kevin, winner of a prestigious children’s literary prize, the 2014 Carnegie Medal, took the coveted title for his book, The Bunker Diary, published by Puffin.

The book tells the dark story of a kidnapped boy held hostage in an underground bunker, where he is joined by other victims, none of which have any connection or knowledge of why they have been taken.

The Exeter-born author thanked the judges and those who nominated his book at a recent London ceremony, where he explained his love of libraries, and passion for them, in helping shape young people lives.

Speaking at the ceremony, he also thanked all children’s librarians everywhere for the ‘outstanding and vitally important work’ that they do, and for ‘carrying on and doing it under very difficult circumstances.’

“My life has been shaped by libraries,” said Kevin, who started going to his local library  in Pinhoe, where he was born, from the age of three or four with his parents.

“Since then, libraries have always been an essential and invaluable part of my life.  Even now, libraries feel like a second home to me, like a sanctuary; a place where I feel comfortable, safe, happy and excited.”

Cllr Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Devon’s public library service said: “Kevin speaks for all of us who value the experience that libraries can offer to visitors of all ages.

“Donating his prize of £500 of books to Pinhoe library, where he first found his love for libraries, is an extremely generous gift.

“We will be talking to Kevin about how the money will be spent at Pinhoe library, but we envisage it being used to improve the current children’s and teens resources.”