An annual award for the best paperback fiction title published in the previous year for the 11-14 age group.
The judges of the award are Year 8 students from participating schools (secondary schools subscribing to the School Library Service). The students are involved in every stage of the award, from selection of both the long and short lists to the final vote for the winning author.
The shortlist of six titles is announced in March, and the winner in June, when hundreds of participating pupils submit their votes at the end of the regional discussion day.
The winning author is then invited to a presentation at Winchester Guildhall in the Autumn.
The winner of the Hampshire Book Award 2013 will be announced on 26 June.