Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K.Rowling
Whatever has happened, whether I'm bored, upset, tired or ill, Harry Potter always cheers me up. I pick it up, open at random and am happy almost instantly. Pure escapism with brilliant characters and school situations everyone can relate to.

Rilla of Ingleside by L.M.Montegomery
This last Anne book is one that makes me laugh and laugh, yet also cry and cry. It's about Anne's daughter during the First World War and however many times I read it I never tire of it. The characters are all wonderful, I can fully sympathise with Rilla, and even if it is a little sentimental in places there are always times when we need a good cry. My copy also has a very interesting biography of the author in the back, whom I admire and find a very interesting person.

Skellig by David Almond
It's a close call between this and 'Kit's Wilderness'. Both are incredibly beautifully written and deepen with re-reading. The author mixes the ordinary with the ethereal in this book and the effect is amazing. It is not about a happyhappy existence, but the adding of realism makes it somehow all the more uplifting and full of hope. An absolute must for a desert island existence.

Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin
This has it all. It's an exciting, epic tale set in the time of swords, carriages and stark contrast between the few rich and very many poor. Beautifully written, this is the kind of book I like to read aloud over and over again. The characters are old friends and I find the setting fascinating. I find it interesting as it describes in part of the book life for choristers in the eighteenth century and I myself am a (shock horror) girl chorister in a cathedral today. It's interesting to know the differences and funny to note the similarities. This book also holds memories of the places I've taken it. In particular I remember reading it in an overheated bus on a twisting, dangerous road going along the beautiful coast of the Greek island of Kefalonia.

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
This is a very a hard-hitting novel that really makes you think. It definitely made me think, anyway. It makes you face your own and other people's prejudices in a new way and suggests how far things can go if segregation and hatred are allowed to go on. As well as that it's a brilliant story that I'm not able to put down any more during the tenth reading than the first.

Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott
This I like even better than Little Women. Jo has always been an inspiration; she has taught me to keep going, to shut my mouth at times and most of all to be myself whatever others think. Funny, poignant and it really captures life. I have read it several times a year for the past four or five years. It is also something I can share with my mum as she too loved this author as a girl.

To Kill a Mocking-Bird by Harper Lee
The reason I love this book is not so much because of its tackling of issues, but because it is so warm and funny. Scout reminds me a lot of me and Jem reminds me of my brother at times. Whilst reading it you really feel transported to Alabama and that has to be a good thing as a desert island would get boring after a while!

Out of the Hitler Time by Judith Kerr
This is a 3 in 1 edition of 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit', 'The Other Way Round' and 'A Small Person Far Away'. Again, this has always reminded me of my brother and I. It is also a very touching account of growing up in wartime and a lot from it can be related to today and ME. This book is very battered as it ahs been everywhere with me:
It has been in 4 different schoolbags and taken to 2 different schools.
It has been read in exams, waiting rooms, on planes, in school halls, backstage at dancing shows and en route to services in obscure country churches.
It has been lended to friends, had ink spilled on it and been dropped in the bath at least twice.
It has been read out loud to no one until my family were sick of it.
It has kept me company when I have been off school . . .
In short, it has been read until the pages are falling out and that can't be a bad thing!

Fiona MacCollum
Age: 13

Why not take a look at the other winning entries?
Gracie Carter
Harriet Dammone
Peter Grimshaw
Shafk Hanif-Khan
Sorcha Ni Chroinin
Click on their names to see their choices.