Book about Sir Ed finalist in awards

NZPA

KEY POINTS:

    A profile of mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary is a finalist in this year's New Zealand Post Book Awards.

    The book, Reaching the Summit by Alexa Johnston with David Larsen, was selected as a finalist before Sir Ed's death last month. The finalists were announced yesterday by the convener
    of the judging panel, Dylan Owen.

    "There is also a compelling range of writing styles with both female and male protagonists with a wide range of geographical variances from the midwest to Everest," he said.

    Mr Owen, national adviser for the National Library's schools collection, joins writer and illustrator Fifi Colston and award-winning novelist Vince Ford on this year's judging panel.

    Three of this year's finalists - Andrew Crowe, Gavin Bishop and Melanie Drewery - have more than one shortlisted book.

    - NZPA