A thriller took top prize in this year's Bolton Children's Book Award, sponsored by the University of Bolton.
Narinder Dhami's book Bang, Bang, You're Dead, was one of eight books that pupils, age 11 to 14, have been reading since the shortlist was announced earlier this year.
On Friday (1 July 2010) the shortlist authors came to the University to answer young readers' questions and the following day the winner was announced at the award ceremony held at the town's Albert Halls.
More than 200 children from 20 schools across Bolton, Bury, Blackburn and Salford attended the event.
Sam Johnson, Dean of the University of Bolton's School of Arts, Media and Education, said: 'It is encouraging to know young people are so passionate about books and reading.'
This is the sixth year the awards have been held. The initiative is sponsored by the University of Bolton and Page Nation.
The eight finalists were shortlisted by young readers in February. The other nominees were: Lifegame, by Alison Allen-Gray; Zelah Green, Queen of Clean, by Vanessa Curtis; Mondays Are Murder, by Tanya Landman; The Pickle King, by Rebecca Promitzer; The Soul Trade, by E E Richardson; Forbidden Island, by Malcolm Rose; and Wolven, by Di Toft.
Pictured at the University Meet the Authors event are Tanya Landman, Malcom Rose, Alison Allen-Gray and EE Richardson
And (below) winning author, Narinder Dhami