The inaugural award, which was organised by the Booksellers Association's Small Business Forum, was voted on by independent bookshops and their customers.

Independent members of the BA were invited to vote for a shortlist of 10 books from a longlist derived by indies' sales data. Customers were then able to vote on the shortlist between October and 10th December. The awards are part of the BA's larger Independent Booksellers Week, which will take place in early July 2008 and celebrate indies.

"I cherish my independence with a passion," added Morpurgo. "I cherish it as a writer. I cherish it with bookshops too. So it means a great deal to me to win this award, for I know that those who have chosen it are of an independent mind, and love books with a passion."