Borders Announces 2004 Original Voices Awards for Children's Picture Books and Young Adult Titles

Business Wire, Jan 13, 2005

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Borders Books & Music announced today the children's picture book and young adult category winners for the seventh annual Borders(R) Original Voices(R) Awards.

Top honors in the children's picture book category went to Mo Willems for "Knuffle Bunny," a classic story of a child's separation from her favorite toy. The book is published by Hyperion. In the young adult category, "Ida B," by Katherine Hannigan was the winner. This independent reader novel, published by HarperCollins under the Greenwillow imprint, is the heartwarming story of an inspiring little girl as she comes to terms with upheaval in her family, her community and her environment.

Winners will receive $5,000 from the company for their outstanding achievement in crafting creative, original books.

"Both of these titles truly exemplify what the Borders Original Voices program is all about," said Michael Spinozzi, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Borders Group, Inc. "Mo Willems and Katherine Hannigan have created original and engaging works that appeal to young people and adults alike. We're thrilled to be able to honor them with this year's award and recognize their incredible talent."

Throughout the year, the Borders Original Voices program features the works of more than 200 contemporary authors/illustrators from around the world in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, young adult and picture books. The monthly program highlights innovative and ambitious new books from new and emerging talents, as well as works that represent a new direction for established authors. All featured titles receive special placement in Borders stores, and are also highlighted in the in-store magazine, Borders This Month.

The nominees were chosen by Borders store employees and corporate office employees and the winners were selected by a cross-functional panel of judges at the corporate office, who volunteered to read each book nominated and serve in several group discussions on the nominated books.

Borders will announce the winners of the 2004 Original Voices Awards for adult fiction and nonfiction categories in the coming weeks.

About Borders Group

Borders Group Inc. (NYSE:BGP) is a leading global retailer of books, music and movies with annual revenues of $3.7 billion. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., the company employs approximately 32,000 people worldwide. Borders Group operates approximately over 460 Borders and 700 Waldenbooks stores throughout the U.S. In addition, the company operates 42 Borders superstores outside the U.S., as well as 36 Books etc. stores located throughout Great Britain. Borders Group recently acquired Paperchase Products Limited, a leading stationery retailer in the U.K. with over 70 locations. Teamed with Amazon.com, online shopping is available through Borders.com (www.borders.com) and Waldenbooks.com (www.waldenbooks.com). More detailed information on the company is available at www.bordersgroupinc.com. Information regarding Borders store locations, in-store events and title reservation is available through www.bordersstores.com.