The Jhalak Prize today (18 April 2023) announced its third shortlist for the Jhalak Children’s & Young Adult Prize. Six books have been selected for the category and this year the lists showcase a wide range of genres ­­­­–– featuring both illustrated picture books and young adult fiction. Taking in thought provoking discussions on identity, the destabilising effects of violence, social media and toxic relationships as well as highlighting messages of hope and unity, the titles explore a kaleidoscope of themes through inventive narratives.

As with previous years, the shortlists demonstrate the exceptional quality and breadth of work produced by British writers of colour today.

First awarded in March 2017, the Jhalak Prize and its new sister award Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize founded in 2020, seek to celebrate books by British/British resident BAME writers.

The six books selected for the Childrens and YA Shortlist include:

Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustration Ruchi Mhasane
Ellie Pillai Is Brown by Christine Pillainayagam
In Our Hands by Lucy Farfort
Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin
Mia And The Lightcasters by Janelle McCurdy, illustration Ana Latese 
When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando

Sunny Singh, Jhalak Prize director said, "Jhalak Prize judges this year have pulled together a shortlist that showcases the extraordinary talent, creativity, and excellence in craft amongst writers of colour in Britain today. The books they have selected are magnificent in their crafting, immensely ambitious in scope and scale, and richly textured in their content. These are books about grief and renewal, about courage and resilience, books that fill us with joy, courage and most of all, hope."

The benefactor providing the prize money, who wishes to remain anonymous said, "In Hindi and many related Northern Indian dialects, Jhalak means ‘glimpse’; implicitly brief, often tantalising with promise, piquing curiosity to explore further. It seems an appropriate name for what I believe is the first prize for Book Of The Year By A Writer of Colour. The Jhalak Prize will recognise the vastness of talent, ambition and creative vigour that is often overlooked by an industry that has yet to decolonize its gaze and acknowledge that we do not live in world of lactified centres and rainbow peripheries. 

The winner will be announced on 25th May 2023.

In partnership with National Book Tokens 

Read about the Jhalak Prize for adults over on LoveReading.