CODE and the Bocas Lit Fest have announced the finalists for the 6th CODE Burt Award for Caribbean Young Adult Literature which recognizes excellent, engaging and culturally-relevant books in English for youth aged 12-18, written by Caribbean authors.
The international jury, chaired by publisher Ian Randle and administered by The Bocas Lit Fest, has selected the top 3 from 6 shortlisted submissions of both published books and unpublished manuscripts. In alphabetical order by title, the 2019 finalists are:
Daylight Come by Diana McCaulay (Jamaica)
Jury summary: “McCaulay tackles themes and issues of current environmental change in ways that do not make the reader feel like a geography or sociological lesson. Educational, compelling and engaging.” Diana McCaulay’s novel Gone to Drift was awarded in 2015.
The Accidental Prize by Tamika Gibson (T&T)
Jury summary: “Wonderfully realized characters with complex lives inhabit this haunting story involving themes of poverty, violence, class, corruption and young love, by the winner of the 2016 Burt Award (Dreams Beyond the Shore).”
The Unmarked Girl by Jeanelle Frontin (T&T)
Jury summary: “Yara is a compelling protagonist, making us all want the answer to her lifelong question of who and what she is. The author leaves her readers guessing but with a promise to reveal more in one or more forthcoming sequels. Instantly gripping, readable and fun.”
The winner will be announced on 2 May 2019 at a special event for secondary school students at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, featuring readings by and conversation with the three 2019 finalists. This year, the author of the winning book will be awarded $10,000 CDN. The two other finalists will each receive $2,000 CDN.
This unique Award was established by CODE—a Canadian charitable organization that has been advancing literacy and learning for 60 years—with the generous support of Canadian philanthropist William (Bill) Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation.
In order to support the development of high quality, culturally relevant books for Caribbean youth, between 2014 and 2018 CODE purchased copies of each year’s winning books and, working with a dedicated network of local partners throughout the region, distributed more than 37,500 copies in eleven Caribbean countries. Their efforts have afforded Caribbean youth access to great books in their schools, libraries and community organizations.