Jhalak Prize 2023 – shortlist announced
The shortlist for the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize has been announced. The Jhalak Prizes celebrate books by British/British resident BAME writers.
Six books are selected for each Prize and, as with previous years, the shortlists demonstrate the exceptional quality and breadth of work produced by British writers of colour today.
The 2023 shortlist for the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize is:
In Our Hands, Lucy Farfort (Tate)
When Our Worlds Collided, Danielle Jawando (Simon & Schuster)
Mia And The Lightcasters, Janelle McCurdy, ill. Ana Latese (Faber)
Ellie Pillai Is Brown, Christine Pillainayagam (Faber)
Rebel Skies, Ann Sei Lin (Walker)
Dadaji’s Paintbrush, Rashmi Sirdeshpande, ill. Ruchi Mhasane (Andersen Press)
The Judges for the Children’s and Young Adult Prize are authors Yaba Badoe, Maisie Chan and Irfan Master.
Commenting on the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize shortlist the judges said:
‘A clarion call for change which confirms that if we work together, share ideas and pool our dreams, we’re never too small to make a difference.’ Yaba Badoe on Lucy Farfort’s In Our Hands.
‘When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando is a powerful and devastating story that deals with structural racism in a balanced and nuanced way. Really exceptional characters that define and shape the story with little tendrils of anger, frustration, hope and joy.’ Irfan Master
‘Mia and the Lightcasters is a fast-paced fantasy children’s book with mythical beasts, martial arts and humour. Janelle McCurdy is an exciting debut author who taps into the interests of young readers, especially gamers and those who want to be transported to a totally different world. I am looking forward to seeing what else springs up from such an imaginative mind.’ Maisie Chan
‘Ellie Pillai is Brown by Christine Pillainayagam is an expertly-crafted YA rom-com with multi-layered themes and its own unique soundtrack. I loved the voice of the main character and was rooting for her the whole way through the book. I wish this book existed when I was a teen! It’s fantastic!’ Maisie Chan.
‘Easily one of the best YA novels I’ve read this year, Rebel Skies is an outstanding debut with vivid characters and excellent world-building. Once immersed, the power of Ann Sei Lin’s writing and vision propelled to a conclusion that left me gasping for more.’ Yaba Badoe.
‘Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a beautifully touching book, full of love, expression and overcoming grief. Simply done yet hits all the emotions – there wasn’t a single page I didn’t linger over.’ Irfan Master.
The 2022 Prize was won by Sabba Khan for her mesmerising graphic novel The Roles We Play (Myriad). The Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize was won by Maisie Chan for Danny Chung does not do maths (Piccadilly Press).
This year sees the return of the partnership launched in 2021 with National Book Tokens, which will help increase awareness and support for the nominated titles amongst bookshops across the UK and Ireland.
The winners will be announced at the British Library on Thursday 25 May 2023. Each winner will be awarded £1,000 and a specially created work of art as part of the ongoing Jhalak Art Residency. This year’s artists are Sharon Adebisi and Diane Ewen, respectively. To find out more about the Residency and the 2023 artists, please click here.
The Jhalak Prize has also partnered with the London Library for the second year. All shortlisted authors will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the library and will be invited to attend an event to showcase the shortlists on Thursday 18th May.
