I first wrote 'The Ghost Drum' nearly forty years ago.

It won the Carnegie Medal for 1987, and after that was published in America, Japan, and most of Europe.

After it went out of print, I had many letters and emails asking me where it could be bought, so it could be read again, or given to a child or grandchild, or read by a class. Why, several people asked, has a Carnegie winner been allowed to go out of print?

At the start of 2024, Faber re-issued it as a 'Faber Classic' and the first print-run sold out.

    You can find out more about 'Ghost Drum' here.

What Is the Carnegie Medal?

The Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal are awarded annually by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).

        The Carnegie is awarded for 'an outstanding book for young people,' and the Greenaway for 'an outstanding illustrated book for young people.'

      The Carnegie and the Greenaway are the oldest and most prestigious book awards given in Britain for children and young people's books.

     Former Carnegie winners include C. S. Lewis, Phillip Pullman, Terry Pratchett -- and me!

 Find The Sterkarm Handshake reviewed on Book Shepherd -- a great place to find books you want to read!