The Burt Award programme addresses an ongoing shortage of relevant, quality books for young people (ages 12 to 18) in the Caribbean, and promotes the love of reading and learning at the secondary school level.
In 2016, the first and second place winners were manuscripts and the third place winner was a self-published book. As part of the award package, the winners all received traditional publishing deals, and these award-winning books have just been released!
CODE has purchased 2,500 copies of each to be donated to schools, libraries, and community organizations across the region through CODE’s network of local partners. If you’re aware of an under-resourced school or community institution with a library for young people, contact us to request donated copies of these excellent, award-winning books.
Over the past 4 years and with the upcoming distribution of the recently published 2016 winning books, more than 22,000 Burt Award winning books have made their way into the hands of Caribbean youth in more than 11 Caribbean countries.
Don’t forget to check your local bookshop to buy copies for the young people in your lives.
Read more about the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature here.
Dreams Beyond the Shore
First place winner of the 2016 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature
Tamika Gibson serves up a fascinating and stirring debut novel about growing up and accepting who you are, regardless of who your parents may be. Buoyed by the rhythms, heat and lyrical lilt of contemporary Trinidad and Tobago, Dreams Beyond the Shore is a heartwarming story declaring that decisions matter far more than destiny.
Published by Blue Banyan Books. Read more here.
Girlcott
Second place winner of the 2016 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature.
Florenz Webbe Maxwell takes a little known fact about Caribbean history and weaves an engaging tale that speaks eloquently to the contemporary experience. Girlcott takes you beyond the image of Bermuda as a piece of paradise and charts a narrative of resistance, hope and the importance of fighting for change.
Published by Blue Banyan Books.
The Protector’s Pledge
Third place winner of the 2016 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature
A fast-paced adventure set deep in a Caribbean forest with a hero who must risk everything to save the forest and his village.
For ages 9 – 12.
Published by CaribbeanReads. Read more here.