Philip Pullman's novel Northern Lights has been chosen as the best children's literature of the past 70 years by the organization that awards the Carnegie Medal.

This spring, the Chartered Institute of. Library and Information Professionals created a short list of 10 all-time favorite books from past award winners. The public was then invited to vote online for the "Carnegie of Carnegies."

Among the nominees was A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly, the featured author in 2006's "Tale for Three Counties" community reading project in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The title of Donnelly's novel, A Northern Light, was changed for its British publication as a result of Pullman's book.

Donnelly's novel, the 2003 Carnegie winner, tells the story of a young woman coming of age in the Adirondacks at the turn of the last century, who must choose between family duties and her desire to go to college. Woven through the fictional story is the real-life murder of Grace Brown.

Pullman's Northern Lights, which won the Carnegie Medal in 1995, is the first book of the "His Dark Materials" series. Northern Lights tells the story of Lyra's quest to find her friend Roger and the strange terrors she must overcome. Along the way, she finds something more perilous waiting for her, and with consequences that may even reach beyond the Northern Lights.

Pullman, 60, spent the early part of his life traveling the world, because his father and then his stepfather were both in the Royal Air Force. From age 11, Pullman lived in North Wales, where he was allowed to roam anywhere, play in the streets and wander over hills. His English teacher, Miss Enid Jones, was a big influence on him, and he still sends her copies of his books.

The CILIP Carnegie Medal is among the most prestigious awards for children's literature. The award celebrates its 70th anniversary this summer.

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On the Net:

Carnegie of Carnegies: www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/celebration