Now we have made AFROPEAN by Johny Pitts the winner of the 2020 Jhalak Prize, I just wanted to take a few tweets to celebrate this astonishing shortlist. Because these are all books that deserve your time and attention.
FLECHE by Mary Jean Chan is a beautiful beautiful collection, about love and war and fractured relationships. Every time I re-read it judging, I found new things to admire about it. It requires re-reading.
THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta (illus. Anshika Khullar) is a gorgeous illustrated prose novel for teenagers about growing up, coming-of-age, being who you are, the hard journey along the way.
QUEENIE by Candice Carty-Williams is at turns sad and funny, always brimming with life and energy, a searing portrayal of an unforgettable character.
SUNCATCHER by Romesh Gunesekera is a lyrical story about friendship, against the backdrop of war, managing to be political while keeping the boys in sharp focus throughout.
REMEMBERED by Yvonne Battle-Felton is a complex and unforgettable story about motherhood and survival, about slavery and heritage.