Michael Morpurgo is to go up against authors including JK Rowling and Charlie Higson as he battles to see if his title is declared the best children’s book of the past decade.

Devon’s War Horse author is in the running to land the accolade, which will be decided by viewers of BBC programme Blue Peter.

The Morpurgo book shortlisted is Private Peaceful, the 2003 story about a soldier called Thomas “Tommo” Peaceful, who is looking back on his life from the trenches of the First World War.

It will compete against Rowling’s Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix and Higson’s Young Bond: SilverFin.

Also in contention are celebrated authors such as Jacqueline Wilson, thriller writer John Grisham and comedian David Walliams.

The books deal with issues such as homelessness, divorce and secret agents.

The shortlist – announced on last night’s edition of the programme – has been compiled from the ten biggest-selling fiction books for five to 11-year-olds in each of the past ten years, although only the top seller for each author is included.

“Children care as much about books as adults do – if not more so,” programme editor Tim Levell said: “We wanted to capture that by creating a vote to find out which book from the last ten years they love the most.

“Normally I’m all for playground harmony, but if on this occasion there is the odd playground argument about which book is better, then bring it on.”

The winner will be announced alongside the annual Blue Peter book of the year victor on a special book-themed edition of the CBBC show on March 1. Viewers can vote for the award – organised in conjunction with Booktrust – at the show’s website.The 10 books are:

:: Alex Rider Mission 3: Skeleton Key – Anthony Horowitz (2002)

:: Candyfloss – Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt (2006)

:: Diary Of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (2008)

:: Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix – J K Rowling (2003)

:: Horrid Henry And The Football Fiend – Francesca Simon, illustrated by Tony Ross (2006)

:: Mr Stink – David Walliams, illustrated by Quentin Blake (2009)

:: Private Peaceful – Michael Morpurgo (2003)

:: The Series Of Unfortunate Events: Austere Academy – Lemony Snicket (2002)

:: Theodore Boone – John Grisham (2010)

:: Young Bond: SilverFin – Charlie Higson (2005)