Historically intended for students from the city’s two middle schools and run by librarian teachers and librarians from Marcillac and Valady, the teen prize (formerly the college prize) brought together this year 28 students, from 6th to 3rd grade, charged with to decide which book will win the prize among the seven preselected titles. The vote was held Wednesday at Saint-Joseph College.
On this occasion, the author Isabelle Pandazopoulos was invited to meet the students, but unfortunately she was unable to come for health reasons. The latter had, however, recorded a short video for them. After discussions on each title in the selection, it is “The year of grace” by the American author, Kim Liggett, who won the votes of middle school students, a novel which, behind its dark plot, offers a reflection on the transition to adulthood and the change in the way society views young girls . With 13 votes, the book beat “Parler comme tu breathe” by Isabelle Pandazopoulos (7 votes) and “Le talent d’Achille” by Pascal Ruter (5 votes).
This literary prize, organized by the Conques-Marcillac community of communes, in partnership with Drac Occitanie and the Aveyron departmental media library, was extended this year to the Usep leisure center in Saint-Cyprien. Indeed, since March, 11 teenagers have taken turns to create two comic strips based on “Pénélope”, another novel by Isabelle Pandazopoulos.
The author was also supposed to come and meet them at the leisure center, but it was ultimately by videoconference that the budding screenwriters and illustrators were able to interact with her. After presenting their creation to him, they asked him questions about the author’s profession, his inspirations and his writing habits.
