The National Book Council is proud to announce the shortlist for the 2021 National Book Prize and Terramaxka Prize.

The National Book Prize and Terramaxka Prize shortlist is selected by an independent adjudication board and serves as guide to standout books published in Malta during the previous year. All shortlisted books can be found in bookstores and publishers’ online shops, and will be available at the upcoming 2021 Malta Book Festival (3–7 November) to be held at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali.

The 2021 shortlist includes 62 titles out of 154 longlisted works; 46 books have been shortlisted across seven National Book Prize categories, and 16 books for children and adolescents have been shortlisted in four Terramaxka Prize categories. As of this year’s edition, the Translation category has been broadened to include works of non-fiction, poetry and drama in Maltese translation, as well as works of fiction, while the Poetry category is once again considering poetry collections written in either Maltese or English.

The National Book Prize recognises works of literature and research in a number of categories including Novels, Literary Non-Fiction, Translation, Poetry and Short Story collections, the latter of which this year presents a particularly noteworthy set of titles by well established authors such as Trevor Żahra and Joe Friggieri, alongside collections by Rita Saliba, Joe Camilleri, and EUPL and 2020 Best Emergent Author prize winner Lara Calleja. Reinforcing a trend over the past years, the categories for General Research, and Biographical and Historiographic Research feature the greatest number of shortlisted works with a list of accomplished titles covering a wide range of Melitensia subjects and beyond. No works have been shortlisted in the Original Works for Adolescents (ages 13-16) category within the Terramaxka Prize, while the categories for Books translated into Maltese (ages 13-16) and Drama received no submissions.

The adjudication process was first launched in May 2021 with the publication of the National Book Prize longlist. The shortlist was delivered to the NBC by the adjudication board on 26 July.

The adjudication board will be selecting the winners in each category of the National Book Prize and the Terramaxka Prize for children’s literature ahead of the Terramaxka Prize winners announcement on Tuesday 2 November during the official opening of the 2021 Malta Book Festival. The winners of the 2021 National Book Prize will be announced at an awards ceremony later in December.

For further updates concerning the 2021 National Book Prize and Terramaxka Prize follow the National Book Council Facebook page and website.

 

National Book Prize 2021: books published in 2020

Novels in Maltese and English

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookAwtur/Editur // Author/EditorPubblikatur // Publisher
TlettaxKenneth CaruanaHorizons
In-Nar Għandu Isem: Noti minn Paġna IntimaGioele GaleaHorizons

 

Short stories in Maltese and English

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookAwtur/Editur // Author/EditorPubblikatur // Publisher
Kissirtu KullimkienLara CallejaMerlin Publishers
Mużajċi tat-TafalJoe CamilleriHorizons
Widnet il-Baħar u Stejjer OħraJoe FriggieriKite Group
MittKelmaRita SalibaKlabb Kotba Maltin
SemprevivaTrevor ŻahraMerlin Publishers

 

Poetry in Maltese and English

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookAwtur/Editur // Author/EditorPubblikatur // Publisher
Tgħanniq Ieħor: Poeżiji mill-IżolamentKit Azzopardi, Simone Ingauenez, John P. Portelli (eds.)Horizons
L-Inventarju tal-Kamra l-KaħlaLeanne EllulMerlin Publishers
Imkien għall-Kenn: PoeżijiJohn P. PortelliHorizons
Megalomanija Perversa: PoeżijiJustin SchembriHorizons
L-Ambjent li Qeridna: Poeżiji (2017-2020)Carmel SciclunaHorizons

 

Drama in Maltese and English

No submissions received.

 

Translation

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookTraduttur // TranslatorPubblikatur // Publisher
Il-Waqgħa (Albert Camus)Toni AquilinaFaraxa Publishing
Ħija Jiġri wara d-Dinosawri (Giacomo Mazzariol)Ludvic Azzopardi FerrandoMerlin Publishers
Otello (William Shakespeare)Alfred PalmaAlfred Palma
Siġar (Hermann Hesse)Terence PortelliKlabb Kotba Maltin
L-Aħħar Sajf ta' Berlin (Federico Buffa, Paolo Frusca)Mark VellaMerlin Publishers
Mix-Xaqliba ta' Dar Swann – Ismijiet ta' Pajjiżi: L-Isem (Marcel Proust)Paul ZahraPaul Zahra

 

Literary non-Fiction

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookAwtur/Editur // Author/EditorPubblikatur // Publisher
Sejjieħ il-Ħsieb: Limitu u ĦelsienJohn BaldacchinoKlabb Kotba Maltin
The Strings of FateRicky CaruanaRicky Caruana
Justice for Daphne is Justice for Our Right to Know: The Book of the Art InstallationAlessandra Dee Crespo (cur.)Midsea Books
Daniel Holmes: A Memoir from Malta's Prison: From a Cage, on a Rock, in a Puddle...Daniel HolmesLovin Malta
Jien - Noti - Jien: Ħsejjes u StejjerImmanuel Mifsud, Toni SantKlabb Kotba Maltin

 

General Research

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookAwtur/Editur // Author/EditorPubblikatur // Publisher
Bil-Kelma t-Tajba: Prinċipji u Kreattività fil Pedagoġija tal-LingwaAntoinette Camilleri GrimaKlabb Kotba Maltin
Tourism and the Maltese Islands: Observations, Reflections and ProposalsGeorge Cassar, Marie AvellinoKite Group
L-Ekonomija f'Ilsien ix-Xjenza u l-FilosofijaJohn A. ConsiglioFaraxa Publishing
Is-Sessiżmu fil-Lingwa MaltijaGeorge Farrugia (ed.)Klabb Kotba Maltin, L-Akkademja tal-Malti
The Spazju Kreattiv Art CollectionToni SantFondazzjoni Ċentru għall-Kreattività
The Beheading of Ignez: Katabasis, Ezra Pound and Three Maltese ArtistsGiuseppe Schembri BonaciHorizons
APS Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale 2020 – Regaining a Paradise Lost: The Role of the ArtsGiuseppe Schembri Bonaci, Nikki PetroniMdina Cathedral Museum, APS Bank, APS Mdina Biennale

 

Biographical and Historiographic Research

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookAwtur/Editur // Author/EditorPubblikatur // Publisher
Ta' Ġieżu Crucifix: Faith - History - Iconography - Conservation Christian Attard (ed.)Arċikonfraternità tas-Santissimu Kurċifiss, Il-Belt Valletta
Ta' Liesse: Malta's Waterfront Shrine for MarinersGiovanni Bonello (ed.)Miller Distributors Ltd.
Dellijiet Jgħajtu fir-Ras: Mario Azzopardi: Poeżija, Narrattiva u Kummiedja SoċjaliCharles BriffaHorizons
Ruħu Dejjem Tfittex: Charles Casha: Mgħallem GħallielCharles BriffaKlabb Kotba Maltin
Maltese Migration in Tunisian Coastal Towns (1836-1844)Arnold CassolaMorrone Editore
San Ġużepp tar-Rabat tal-Imdina: Storja ta' Devozzjoni u ArtiJeremy DebonoJeremy Debono
Documentary Sources on the Maltese Eighteenth Century Carnival: Il Ballo del Battito or ParataJohn Debono (ed.)John Debono (ed.)
Princess Poutiatine and the Art of Ballet in MaltaKathrina Farrugia-Kriel (ed.)Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti
Diaspora: Maltese Overseas SettlementHenry FrendoMidsea Books
L-Istorja tal-Partit Laburista: It-Tieni Volum (1940-1960)Francis GaleaSKS Publishers
Trevor Żahra: Bejn Storja u Miti: Ġabra ta' KitbietSergio Grech (ed.)Horizons
Crux Invicta: Il-Kurċifiss Mirakuluż u l-Kapuċċini f'GħawdexMartin MicallefMidsea Books
Albert Ganado: Ħajja Mhux tas-SoltuAustin Sammut, Sergio Grech (eds.)Klabb Kotba Maltin
Mattia Preti: Life and WorksKeith SciberrasMidsea Books
Country Villas in XVIII Century MaltaCarmel SpiteriKite Group
The Addolorata CemeteryConrad Thake (ed.)Midsea Books

 

Terramaxka 2021: books published in 2020

Original works: books for children (ages 0-7)

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookAwtur/Illustratur // Author/IllustratorPubblikatur // Publisher
L-Għasfur tal-KwiekebCharles Casha, Matthew Stroud (Illustratur / Illustrator)Klabb Kotba Maltin
Enya l-Aljena... Reġina b'Kumbinazzjoni! (Tikka Qari Livell 7)Audrey Friggieri, Romont Willy (Illustratur / Illustrator)Merlin Publishers
Tal-FornNoel Tanti, Matt Stroud (Illustratur / Illustrator)Merlin Publishers
Pito u PitaDaniella Zerafa, Matthew Stroud (Illustratur / Illustrator)Horizons

 

Original works: books for children (ages 8-12)

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookAwtur/Illustratur // Author/IllustratorPubblikatur // Publisher
Il-Kreatura tal-BirSimon Bartolo, José Luis Oscaña (Illustratur / Illustrator)Merlin Publishers
Tara Frendo fuq il-Pjaneta Sturja (Tikka Qari Livell 15)Antoinette Borg, Nicole Diacono (Illustratur / Illustrator)Merlin Publishers
Amazing Maltese WomenKristina Chetcuti, Marisa Attard (Illustratur / Illustrator)Merlin Publishers
Stellini Kursar Malti (Tikka Qari Livell 14)Dwayne Ellul, Moira Scicluna Zahra (Illustratur / Illustrator)Merlin Publishers
Il-Mostru tal-Bajja tal-Ġnejna (Tikka Qari Livell 14)Leanne Ellul, Maxime Lebrun (Illustratur / Illustrator)Merlin Publishers
It-Tifel li Salva d-Dinja (Tikka Qari Livell 12)Karl Schembri, Alice Samuel (Illustratur / Illustrator)Merlin Publishers

 

Original works: books for adolescents (ages 13-16)

No titles shortlisted

 

Books translated into Maltese (ages 0-7)

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookTraduttur // TranslatorPubblikatur // Publisher
Lenard il-Papru tad-Daħq (Yann Walcker, Julie Mercier ill.)Clare AzzopardiMerlin Publishers
Lupu Lupettu Jfittex Maħbuba (Orianne Lallemand, Éléonore Thuillier ill.)Clare AzzopardiMerlin Publishers
Lupu Lupettu Jrid Isir Artist (Orianne Lallemand, Éléonore Thuillier ill.)Clare AzzopardiMerlin Publishers
Ors fl-Ispazju (Deborah Abela, Marjorie Crosby-Fairall ill.)Clare AzzopardiMerlin Publishers
Wiżżu Ħdejn il-Baħar (Laura Wall)Rebby VellaWise Owl Publications

 

Books translated into Maltese (ages 8-12)

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of bookTraduttur // TranslatorPubblikatur // Publisher
Il-Familja Frattarija u d-dar li tagħtas (Kari Smeland, Francesca Grech ill.)Simone InguanezMerlin Publishers

 

Books translated into Maltese (ages 13-16)

No submissions received.


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