Children’s book by city teacher up for prestigious prize

Mum-of-one shortlisted for national prize

A secondary school teacher from Canterbury has been shortlisted for a coveted award. Lucy Strange’s novel, Our Castle By The Sea, is nominated in the younger readers category of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

Set in 1939, the story follows youngster Pet who is growing up in a lighthouse during the Second World War. Her world has become a terrifying battleground as enemy planes rip through the skies overhead and her family is torn apart.

Pet is small, afraid and unnoticed, says Lucy, and yet somehow she is a girl who is destined to become part of the strange, ancient legend of the Daughters of Stone.

Lucy, who lives in Canterbury with partner James and her young son, worked as an actor, singer and storyteller before becoming a teacher.

She is currently teaching English at Kent College in the city. Every year Waterstones’ expert booksellers vote for the works they believe are the very best in new children’s writing and illustration.

Last year’s winner, The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf, shot to the top of the best-seller charts following the prize announcement and the novel saw an increase in sales of more than 500%.

Lucy said: “I am honoured, delighted and grateful that Our Castle by the Sea has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.” Eighteen entries have been shortlisted in total, with the other two categories made up of illustrated books and books for older readers.

Lucy is up against five other novels in her field, one of which will be crowned category winner and awarded a £2,000 prize. The three category winners will then be vying for the overall title of Children’s Book of the Year 2020 - with the final winner receiving an extra £3,000. Winners will be announced in London on March 26.

Author Lucy Strange teaches at Kent College in Canterbury

Lucy’s shortlisted novel