The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by best-selling fantasy author Terry Pratchett has been given the Carnegie Medal.
'Silly wands'
Pratchett, who writes the hugely successful Discworld books, said he was pleased to win because it helped make fantasy more popular.
But he couldn't resist poking fun at rival fantasy books The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.
He said his books were "far more beguiling than the idea that evil can be destroyed by throwing a piece of expensive jewellery into a volcano".
Fact File
Also nominated
Sharon Creech Love that Dog
Peter Dickinson The Ropemaker
Eva Ibbotson Journey to the River Sea
Elizabeth Laird Jake's Tower
Geraldine McCaughrean The Kite Rider
Geraldine McCaughrean Stop the Train
Virginia Euwer Wolff True Believer
And, in a swipe at Harry Potter, he added: "Fantasy isn't just about wizards and silly wands."
Judges
Cartoonist Chris Riddell also won the Kate Greenaway Medal for best illustrations in a kid's book, his drawings in Pirate Diary.
Around 20,000 kids from around the country help judge the Carnegie Medal, by telling judges in libraries which of the short listed books they like best. They're called 'shadow judges'.
Hear story!
Terry Pratchett chats to NR Online
Get talking about books!
Vote: games v books
Our Terry Pratchett quiz
