Burchill novel on award shortlist

Julie Burchill's novel has been adapted as a TV drama

Julie Burchill's controversial novel Sugar Rush, about a schoolgirl discovering she is gay, has been shortlisted for a teen fiction prize.

The story, which has been turned into a Channel 4 drama series, is one of seven books nominated for the Booktrust Teenage Prize.

How I Live Now, US author Meg Rosoff's debut novel, which was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, is also on the list.

The prize, set up in 2003, celebrates contemporary teenage fiction.

The other shortlisted books are Siberia by Ann Halam, Come Clean by Terri Paddock, The Whisper by Bali Rai, Century by Sarah Singleton and The Unrivalled Spangles by Karen Wallace.

'Exciting range'

Booktrust has joined forces with The Reading Agency to publicise the award at libraries throughout the UK.

"We have an exciting range of books on the shortlist, catering for all tastes in reading," said Geraldine Brennan, chair of the judges.

"We hope 13- to 16-year-olds will get their teeth into the shortlisted titles over the summer and let us have their views."

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London in November.