Judging Panel

PLAA Judging Panel

Sufiya Ahmed

Sufiya Ahmed was born in India and arrived in the UK as a baby. She lived in Bolton, Lancashire, before moving to London where she still lives. Sufiya has worked in advertising and in the House of Commons but is now a full-time author. In 2010 Sufiya set up the BIBI Foundation, a non-profit organisation, to arrange visits to the Houses of Parliament for diverse and underprivileged school children.

She is the author of the bestselling book - Secrets of the Henna Girl.

Barbara Band - Chair of the Judging Panel

Barbara is a qualified Chartered Librarian who, having worked for over thirty years in a wide range of school libraries within various sectors, offers freelance consultancy, training and advice. She also publishes regularly on all aspects of school libraries and is an international speaker. Previously President of CILIP, Barbara is now Chair of the Library Services Trust, Treasurer of the CILIP SLG and on the World Book Day selection panel. As founder of this award, Barbara recognises the impact school libraries have on young people and how being a pupil library assistant brings benefits to the individual, the library and the school.

Hannah Richardson

Hannah is a qualified Librarian who has been working as a School Librarian in Bristol since 2017. She is a Trustee for the School Library Association and became part of the PLAA Commitee when the Award was relaunched. She has experience delivering lectures to aspiring librarians as part of their Masters' study, and helps to run the Bristol Teen Book Award. She is passionate about the role of Libraries and Librarians within the educational landscape, and having worked with students ranging from Year 3 to Sixth Form knows how beneficial it can be for students to be actively involved in their school library.

Annie Everall

Annie is a Director of “Authors Aloud UK” and a consultant and trainer in the areas of children’s books, libraries and reading. During her career, she has developed and managed a range of award-winning library services and reading initiatives. She is a Trustee for the Read for Good charity and is the joint co-ordinator for the IFLA World Through Picture Books programme. Annie speaks internationally on library, literacy and reading issues and is an important international voice in the campaign for the importance of the wider beneficial outcomes of children's reading. She was awarded the OBE for services to children’s books and libraries in 2001.