“We were looking for books which are innovative, well-presented, accessible and topical and add to our knowledge of special needs,” he says.

“All the shortlisted books share an explicit commitment to inclusion, and an appeal to different audiences, whether parents, teachers, researchers or policy-makers.”

The Education of Children with Medical Conditions

Edited by Alison Closs

David Fulton pound;16.50

This rich collection of papers in a neglected field brings together the perspectives of students, parents and professionals concerned with minimising the exclusion of children with medical conditions. An especially welcome feature is the first-hand accounts of young people, parents and siblings.

Combating Educational Disadvantage: meeting the needs of vulnerable children

Edited by Theo Cox

Falmer pound;65 (pound;18.99 pb)

The contributors to this important collection discuss various aspects of educational disadvantage in the light of current political thinking, and ask what can be done to best meet the needs of disadvantaged children.

“At risk” groups considered include ethnic minority children, underachieving boys, looked-after children; poor school attenders and children displaying disruptive behaviour in the classroom.

Defying Disaffection: how schools are winning the hearts and minds of reluctant students

By Reva Klein

Trentham Books pound;20.95 (pound;10.95 pb)

Reva Klein’s combination of research, journalism and narrative skill provides a committed and compelling account of how disaffection can be conceptualised and - more importantly - prevented and overcome. She looks at initiatives in the US, at a school in the South Bronx and in New Haven, Connecticut, where radical programmes with disaffected students have reduced drop-out rates and raised standards.

Special Education and School Reform in the United States and Britain.

Edited by Margaret McLaughlin and Martyn Rouse.

Routledge pound;17.99.

This timely collection asks how recent educational reforms, such as the move towards higher standards of achievement, an emphasis on outcomes, privatisation and greater competition, have affected the development of special education in Britain and the US. Themes explored include parental choice, decntralising decision-making, inclusion, and accountability.

Working Towards Inclusive Education: social contexts.

By Peter Mittler.

David Fulton pound;16

This book provides teachers, researchers and policy-makers with a comprehensive review of inclusion exclusion policies and practices. “Inclusion is not about placing children in mainstream schools,” writes Professor Mittler, “It is about changing schools to make them more responsive to the needs of all children.”

Martian in the Playground: understanding the schoolchild with Asperger’s syndrome.

By Clare Sainsbury.

Lucky Duck pound;12

Clare Sainsbury’s vivid first-hand account of growing up with Asperger’s is supplemented by comments from other young people with the syndrome, which provide valuable insights into the condition and practical advice for parents, teachers and other professionals. The book has a great deal to say about practices and attitudes surrounding all children with disabilities.

Peter Clough

The judges of the Academic Award are Peter Clough, senior lecturer at Sheffield University School of Education; Maggie Brown, North East Wales Institute for Higher Education; Mike Gordon, Nasen executive secretary; John Hill, head of Mill Ford special school, Plymouth; and Tessa Knott, Senco at Blenheim junior school and Cudham CE primary, Kent.The winners of the Nasen Academic Award and the Children’s Book Award will be announced on November 2 at the Special Needs London exhibition and featured in Friday magazine on November 3. Both awards are organised by the Educational Publishers Council and the National Association for Special Educational Needs, and are supported by The TES.

Special Needs London, Business Design Centre Islington, north London.

Thursday and Friday November 2 and 39.30am to 5pm

Saturday November 410am to 4pm. Free entry

More than 150 top educational publishers and suppliers will be exhibiting resources for the whole curriculum and all levels. A new feature will be publishers’ open events, where visitors can preview new publications and meet the authors. Rod Hunt, Bill Laar, Rose Impey, Steve Skidmore and Steve Barlow will be among the speakers. Also new this year, Special Needs IT and How IT Works demonstrations focus on the benefits of new technology for learning with special needs.

Full exhibition and seminar information from EPC Exhibitions. Tel: 020 7565 7474; Fax: 020 7836 4543;e-mail: mail@publishers.org.ukwww.specialneedsit.co.ukwww.how-it-worksSpecial Needs Curriculum Special in next week’s TES