London, 11th May 2009: The shortlist selected by the youth panel shadowing the Orange Prize for Fiction 2009 judges, was announced today.

Recruited via teenage website, Spinebreakers.co.uk, the shadow panel read the 20 books longlisted for the 2009 Orange Prize and then met to choose their shortlist of six. Kate Mosse, author and Honorary Director of the Orange Prize facilitated the meeting.

The youth panel members are Lily Dessau (16), Joe Kerridge (16), Clarissa Pabi (18), Rossana Duarte (18), Francis Gene-Rowe (18) and Max Elsworth (19).

The panel – which forms part of a campaign to engage younger readers with the Orange Prize – have also been blogging about their experiences of judging a book prize on Spinebreakers since they started reading in March.

'The quality of the youth panel challenges the often negative news stories put out in the media about teenagers and reading,” commented Kate Mosse. 'There was outstanding analysis, energy for the task in hand, commitment and an openness and determination to judge each book on its own merits - it was a privilege to eavesdrop on their deliberations.'

She continues, 'If ever proof was needed that what matters is a passion for reading, not age or previous experience in this area, then this panel is it and we are very grateful to them all for giving up their time at such a busy point in the academic year.'

Strikingly, although many of the same novels which appear on the Orange Prize shortlist were popular with the teenage panel, no cross over appears between the lists selected by the youth panel and the official Orange Prize judging panel.

what the panel said

Max Elsworth, 19: Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold:
'Girl in a Blue Dress is fervidly written, enthralling and charming. The characters are endearingly witty, amiable and vivid; Arnold conveys this Victorian scenario perfectly.'

Clarissa Pabi, 18: Blonde Roots by Bernardine Evaristo:
'Evaristo addresses the holocaust of slavery in an extremely unique and exciting way. Blonde Roots is not an emulation of Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses, it’s more like Phillip Pullman meets Roots. His Dark Materials meets Her Light Materials. This book has the X-Factor!'

Lily Dessau, 16: The Lost Dog by Michelle de Kretser:
'The Lost Dog is a poetically written and moving depiction of relationships between mothers and sons, friends and families, both painfully and beautifully true.'

Rossana Duarte, 18: A Mercy by Toni Morrison:
'A Mercy by Toni Morrison is an unfolding tapestry of five aptly ventriloquised voices, each threaded together unknowingly and embroidered onto a bedding of rich slave trade history and culture.'

Francis Gene-Rowe, 18: The Russian Dreambook of Colour and Flight by Gina Oscher:
“Tears and laughter are handled with equal adeptness and a certain crazy slavishness permeates the prose of this story that explores some profound themes. A thoroughly charming book that makes for a highly exciting and interesting read.”

Joe Kerridge, 16: The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews:
'The Flying Troutmans is a road trip of hope, guts and spirit.  Its portrayal of the family is touchingly faithful and its intricacies are vivid and joyful. The Flying Troutmans is a wonderful book.'