The National Book Prize 2026 List of Eligible Submissions is Now Out

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30th March, 2026

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The National Book Council (NBC) is publishing the list of titles submitted for consideration to the 2026 National Book Prize and National Book Prize for Children and Young Adults (NBP), awarded to outstanding works published in 2025.

Widely regarded as the highest literary recognition in Malta, the National Book Prize honours authors, editors, translators, publishers and illustrators for books published with a locally issued ISBN during the preceding year.

This year, the Prize will be introducing a new category: Sports Literature for Children and Young Adults (ages 8-16). This inclusion was facilitated through an agreement between Sport Malta and NBC, fostering a collaboration by which sport could receive warranted exposure from a literary aspect. Translations within this category were not eligible.

In total, the National Book Prize comprises 13 categories, which include Novels, Short Stories, Poetry, Drama, Non-Fiction, Prose Fiction in Translation, Research and Historiographic Research, and seven categories of children’s books known as the National Book Prize for Children and Young Adults – Picture books for children (ages 0–7), Children’s Literature (ages 8–12), and Young Adult Literature, as well as Picture books in Translation (ages 0-7) and Children’s Literature in Translation (ages 8-12) and Young Adult Literature.

An independent adjudication board has screened all submissions for eligibility and ensured their placement in the appropriate categories.

This year, the National Book Prize eligible list of submissions includes 163 eligible titles: 103 titles spread across the eight categories of the National Book Prize, and 60 titles spanning the National Book Prize for Children and Young Adults.

In the following months, the jury members will review the submissions and select the finalists for the 2026 National Book Prize and National Book Prize for Children and Young Adults. The shortlists will be published on 25 August.

The winners of both the National Book Prize and the National Book Prize for Children and Young Adults will be announced during an award-giving ceremony, which will be held on 17 September.

For the latest updates on the National Book Prize and other initiatives by the National Book Council, follow us on Facebook and Instagram or visit ktieb.org.mt.

The full list of eligible submissions for the National Book Prize 2026

National Book Prize

Novels

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Għall-Imħabba ta’ Prostituta – “Min m’għandu l-ebda dnub…” (Vol 1)	Michael Cini	Horizons
Għall-Imħabba ta’ Prostituta – “…jitfgħalha l-ewwel ġebla.” (Vol 2)	Michael Cini	Horizons
First Fall Fort	Mike Tabone	Midsea Books Ltd
Sovereign	Malcolm Scerri Ferrante	Malcolm Scerri Ferrante / PCP LTD
Id-Destin tal-Ħajja	George Alexander Said Zammit	Midsea Books
Sunset Exiles	M.J. Camilleri	Merlin Publishers
Fis-sema hekkda fl-art	David Aloisio	Merlin Publishers
Eħlisna mid-deni	Karl Schembri	Merlin Publishers
Kult	Daniel Schembri	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published
Bint L-Imħabba Miċħuda	Joe Cardona	Horizons
Kherson – Bejn it-Tama u l-Qlubija	Ben Agius	Horizons
Under an August Moon	Robert Busuttil	Horizons
Taħt is-Siġar tal-Ballut	Nicholas Attard	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Ana u Zaine Ghaxar Snin Wara	Elaine Fenech	BDL Publishing
Ballad of a Seamstress	Sandor Papp	Faraxa Publishing
When We Danced With Fire	Daniela Frendo	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published
Kieku Tħobbni, Ma Kontx	Andre Mifsud	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published

Short Stories

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Ah!	Immanuel Mifsud	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Is-sajf mhux għat-tfal	Lon Kirkop	Merlin Publishers
Miti Maltin Monstri U Kreaturi	Rowena Grech	Klabb Kotba Maltin
F’Tarf it-Triq	Charles Casha	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Il-Ħajt Għandu Widintu	Christopher Attard Biancardi	Horizons
Fil-Gżira Apatija u Rakkonti Skomdi Oħra	Patrick Sammut	Horizons
L-Aħħar Żifna u Stejjer Oħra	Edgar Formosa	Horizons
Il-Ġeografija tal-Irmied u l-Ġwienaħ	Murad Shubert	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Il-Biljett tal-Lotterija u Stejjer Oħra	Toni Abela	Kite Group
Il-Ġiżimin ta’ Ġona u Stejjer Oħra	Hector Scerri	Kite Group
Doqqli, Doqqli Ħa Tferraħni u Stejjer Oħra	Reno Borg	Kite Group
Dedika	Miriam Ellul Costantino	Faraxa Publishing

Poetry

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Blu Notturn, Poeżija minn pittura	Terence Portelli	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Bejn Ramel u Ċagħaq, Poeżiji	Ġorġ Borg	Horizons
Poetry Maps	Matthew Schembri (ed.)	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published
Ix-xita tinżel rasha ‘l isfel	Francesco Grech	Merlin Publishers
dahri darek	Klara Vassallo	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published
Ġewwieni/Innards	Miriam Galea	Kotba Calleja
Unsilenced: Poems for Palestine	John P. Portelli	Horizons
Eight Sixes	Jacques Borg Barthet	Kotba Calleja
Lemonade When loss leans into light	Mariella Camilleri	Kotba Calleja
The Great Siege of Malta, 1565: An Epic Poem	Joseph L. Zerafa	Heritage Malta Publishing
meta nsir disgħa	Keith Borg	Merlin Publishers

Drama

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Il-Każin tal-Imqarbin	Luke Saydon	Saydon Studio
sitt ġrajjiet u naqra għala spiċċajna (kif spiċċajna)	Leanne Ellul	Merlin Publishers

Non-Fiction

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Mogħdijiet – ħajti fir-raħal li darba kien, fil-ġurnaliżmu u Malta li baqgħet tinbidel	John Inguanez	John Inguanez
Ritratti mill-Istorja	Evarist Bartolo	SKS Publishers
Frak mill-istorja	Evarist Bartolo	SKS Publishers
Life on the Road: Four Continents in FOurteen Months	Roseann Dimech	Faraxa Publishing
Ras il-Għajn	Charles Flores	Horizons
Aqta’ biex ħarġet	Marie Briguglio	Kite Group
Diplomat by Destiny	George Saliba	SKS Publishers
20 Years of Dù Theatre	Words by Simone Spiteri, Edited by Marco Galea	Dù Theatre Foundation
Soiled	Rebecca Hammett	Kotba Calleja
Il-Karikatura tal-Mument	James Aaron Ellul	Informa
Antoloġija 2	Loranne Vella u Joe Gatt (edituri)	Aphroconfuso
Qarn	Romeo Roxman Gatt	Aphroconfuso
Dolce Vita. The Art of Sweet Living.	Kamila Camilleri	Kamila Camilleri
Wrinkles	Paul Caruana	Midsea books
NOTI	Mario Cutajar	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Ispirazzjoni – Ġabra ta’ Stejjer ta’ Kuraġġ	Neil Demarco	Neil Demarco
Waqa’ Ajruplon – Chronicles of fallen aircraft in Gozo	Matthew Curmi	Midsea Publishing
Malta 1900-1999: 100 Sena, 100 Pass / 100 Years, 100 Steps	George Agius, Chilion Mangion & Godwin Vella	Heritage Malta Publishing
Valletta – History of a Noble City	Vincent Zammit; Oliver Gatt	BDL Publishing
Inħobbkom	Joe Cassar	Caritas Malta
Memorji minn San Vinċenz De Paul: It-Tieni Volum	Raymond Mangion	St Vincent De Paul
Gwida Prattika fix-Xogħol tal-Konkos	Joseph Camilleri	BDL Publishing

Prose Fiction in Translation

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Isem il-Warda (Umberto Eco)	Adrian Stivala	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Meta Ġej? (Iris Wolff)	Alfred Scalpello	Horizons
Milarepa (Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt)	Toni Aquilina	Faraxa Publishing
Luċjanu: Stejjer Veri (Luċjanu)	Carmel Serracino; Andrew Debono Cauchi	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Tramm għall-Ħajja (Tea Ranno)	Mary Rose Mifsud	Faraxa Publishing
Il-Pesta (Albert Camus)	Toni Aquilina	Faraxa Publishing

Research

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Islands and Cultural Translation: The Art of Joseph L. Mallia	Christian Attard; Keith Sciberras (edi/eds)	KIte Group
Mapping a Moral Consensus: Calibrating an Ethical Compass for the Future	Raymond Zammit; Stefan Attard	KIte Group
Il-Valur u s-Seħer tal-Pjanti: F’Kuntest Agroambjentali	Mario Joseph Salerno	Faraxa Publishing
Siġar Maltin tan-nixxigħat	Alfred E Baldacchino	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Studies in Maltese Regulation: Consumer Protection	David Fabri	Midsea Books
The Malta Royal Opera House Power, Culture, and the Stage	Vicki Ann Cremona	Kite Group; Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti
Casa Manresa in Floriana: A House of Formation	Nicholas Joseph Doublet	Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta
Felice & Pietro Attard. Family, Profession, Interests and Passions.	Joseph Attard Tabone; Michael Refalo	KIte Group
Għar Dalam: a window into Malta’s past Quaternary faunas	Michael Gatt	Heritage Malta Publishing
Our Lady of Porto Salvo: Valletta’s Basilica of St Dominic	Mario Cutajar; Godwin Vella (edi/eds)	Heritage Malta Publishing
The Dark Side of Birgu, Bormla and Isla	Janica Buhagiar	Heritage Malta Publishing
The Artistic Legacy of Aldo Micallef-Grimaud (1925-2010)	Louis Lagana; Nadine Micallef-Grimaud	Heritage Malta Publishing
Invention, Quotation, and Beyond: Antonio Sciortino’s Project of the ‘Temple of the British Empire to the Unknown Soldier	Conrad Thake	Heritage Malta Publishing
Words of Influence: Strategies in Contemporary Arabic Political Speeches	Kurstin Gatt; Kristina Stock	Malta University Press
Id-Dar Maltija: aspetti soċjali, ekonomiċi u kulturali bejn il-Perjodu Medjevali sa Żminijietna	George Alexander Said Zammit	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Agostino Levanzin u Kelinu Vella Haber: Ħabbew Ilsien Art Twelidhom	Patrick Sammut	Faraxa Publishing
Tberfil: The art of Maltese vehicular decoration in the 20th century	Steven Scicluna	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published
Gozo 100 – The 100th Anniversary of the Gozo Bus Industry (1925 to 2025)	Richard Stedall	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published
Music Printing by the Brocktorff Lithographers 1832-1893	Anna Borg Cardona	Midsea Books Ltd
Searching for Paul: Lukan Theology, Nautical Lore, and Maltese Topography	Timmy Gambin; John M. McManamom	Heritage Malta Publishing
Il-Maltin: Għemilhom, Drawwiethom, Ġrajjiethom – It-tielet volum	Steve Borg	Klabb Kotba Maltin

Research and Historiographic Research

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Malta POWS – The Interrogations of Italian Prisoners of War	Jeffrey Sammut	Midsea Books
Titles to Talkies: An Incomplete History of Film Culture & Industry in Malta – The First Fifty Years	Charlie CauchI	Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti
25 for 25 – Heirlooms for Posterity	Charles J. Farrugia; George Cassar; Evelyn Pullicino	The Friends of the National Archives of Malta
Malta, Island of the Knights	Victor Mallia Milanes	Kite Group
DEFIANT – The Knights at War 1522-1535	Joseph Scicluna	Kite Group
Malta and Holy War. Religion, Society, and the Spanish-Ottoman Conflict for the Mediterranean	Carmel Cassar	Kite Group
Bridgeford MacDougall Pirie (1876–1941), A Scottish Architect in Malta, 1905–41	Conrad Thake	Kite Group
It-twaqqif tal-Banda Rohan fl-1860 u tal-Banda San Filep 1889	Henry Camilleri	Każin San Ġużepp u Banda De Rohan
Grand Master Jehan De Vallete: Hero of the Ottoman Siege of Malta and Founder of Valletta	Carmel Cassar	Heritage Malta Publishing
Sea – Walls – Souls: A Social History of Birgu, Bormla, and Isla, 1530-1630	Rachel Grillo	Heritage Malta Publishing
A Mediterranean History of Modern Art Volume 1: Tension between History and Metahistory	Giuseppe Schembri BonacI	Horizons
100 Years of Photography in Malta (1839-1939)	Charles Paul Azzopardi	Midsea Books

National Book Prize for Children and Young Adults

Picture books for children (ages 0–7)

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher

Nina n-Nokkla u ċ-Ċkejken Ġurdien	Nadia Abdilla, Elisa Chetcuti (ill.)	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Nina n-Nokkla u l-Avventura Riħ Riħun	Nadia Abdilla, Elisa Chetcuti (ill.)	Klabba Kotba Maltin
Karla Supereroj?	Maria Farrugia, Louiselle Sciberras (ill.)	Horizons
Kalzetti u furfiċetti	Leanne Ellul, Mark Scicluna (ill.)	Merlin Publishers
Luna żżur Madrid	Sherise Zammit, Naomi Gatt (ill.)	Merlin Publishers
Peppi s-Sajjied	Siham Amin Agha	Faraxa Publishing
L-Orsini u l-Kuluri	Carmel Bonnici	Pro.Motion Limited
Nella n-Naħla	Maxine Manicaro, Michael Junior Zahra (ill.)	BDL Publishing
Norqod biex Noħlom	Angèle Marie Haber, BDL (Ill.)	BDL Publishing
Id-Dinosawri	Stephen Said, BDL (ill.)	BDL Publishing
Great Ideas Start Somewhere	Rebekah Kamsky, Irina Drazhina (ill.)	Self Published
Lulu,Wiġi u t-Teleskopju	Sarah Ellul & Amanda Tanti, Kite (ill.)	Kite Group
Tales from San Anton Gardens: The Garden and I	Francesca Tabone, Naomi Gatt (ill.)	Faraxa Publishing
The Ghost by the Coast	Florina Silvio	Faraxa Publishing
Xagħar Ria	Patricia Bondin, Lynn Zammit Russell (ill.)	Faraxa Publishing
Kelina tal-kappar	Denise Muscat, Denise Muscat (ill.)	Klabb Kotba Maltin
The Cactus	May Camilleri	Faraxa Publishing
Is-Sħaba l-Imqarba fl-Għid il-Kbir	Maria Attard, Janet Vella (ill.)	Horizons
it-Torta taż-Żokra	Joanne Saragosa, BDL (ill.)	BDL Publishing
Bonġu!Bonġu!	Miriam Schembri, Louiselle Sciberras	BDL Publishing

Children’s Literature (ages 8–12)

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher

Staġuni	Ruth Frendo, Mireille Tabone (ill.)	Write Deal Association
Milied Aħdar f’Ħal Miżwed	David Aloisio, Louiselle Sciberras	Horizons
Karamellu tar-Raħal t’Isfel Is-Sitt Ktieb	Charles Buttigieg, Nicole Mifsud Lombardi	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published
Il-Kuruna tal-Prinċep Henry	Janet Mallia, Louiselle Sciberras	BDL Publishing
Is-Sultan l-Għaref u l-Ħaġa Moħġaġa	Rita Saliba, Denise Muscat (ill.)	Horizons
Il-Masġar il-Griż	Rita Saliba, Elisa Chetcuti (ill.)	Klabb Kotba Maltin
Il-Pinna tad-Dragun Aħmar – Ir-Rebħa ta’ Prince	Edgar Formosa, Luca Azzopardi (ill.)	Horizons
Is-sħaħar ta’ Petut 4: Minċott ħajt aħdar	Clare Azzopardi, Deandra Scicluna (ill.)	Merlin Publishers
Kaħlani: Skoss pożi u karamboli	Clare Azzopardi; Leanne Ellul, Romont Willy (ill.)	Merlin Publishers
Dawra mad-dinja	Christine Ciappara, Naomi Gatt (ill.)	Merlin Publishers
It-Torri l-Griż u “Il-Fantażma tal-Kavallier bla Ras”	Norman C. Borg, Claudia Mata Serra (ill.)	Merlin Publishers
L-Ajruplan li Għeb	Jeffrey Sammut, Sarah Pisani (ill.)	BDL Books
Il-Pittura Inviżibbli	Ruth Frendo, Carmel Bonnici (ill.)	Pro.Motion Limited
Leġġendarji N.1: San Dimitri	Ruth Frendo, Carmel Bonnici (ill.)	Write Deal Association
Leġġendarji N.2: L-Għarusa tal-Mosta	Ruth Frendo, Carmel Bonnici (ill.)	Write Deal Association
In-Nanna Lina	Ivan De Battista, Elisa Chetcuti (ill.)	Klabb Kotba Maltin
It-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija: il-kunflitt li biddel lil Malta	Chilion Mangion, Kimberly Azzopardi (ill.)	Heritage Malta Publishing
L-Assedju l-Kbir tal-1565: l-attakk li ddefenixxa lil Malta	Chilion Mangion, Kimberly Azzopardi (ill.)	Heritage Malta Publishing

Young Adult Literature

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
The Astromegas	Marcus Azzopardi, Kiseeki (ill.)	Kotba Calleja
L-Iswed u Stejjer Oħra Kkuluriti	Ruth Frendo	Pro.Motion Limited
The Clockwork Masquerade	Adriana Galea	PageWanderer Press
L-Ifirsa tal-Mejda t-Tonda	Norman C. Borg, Outlook Coop (ill.)	Horizons
Ta’ Taħt Fuq: Il-Missjoni tal-Mostru	Matthew Schembri, Pierre Portelli (ill.)	Merlin Publishers
be;n il-kmiem	Leanne Ellul, Pierre Portelli (ill.)	Merlin Publishers
Miegħi Ridt Taqbad	Bertram Portelli	Awtoppubblikat / Self-published
Kristalli tas-Silġ	Kirsten Spiteri	Faraxa Publishing

Picture books in Translation (ages 0-7)

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Lupettin iżur razzett (Orianne Lallemand, Éléonore Thuillier)	Clare Azzopardi	Merlin Publishers
Lupettin ma jridx jiżbarazza (Orianne Lallemand, Éléonore Thuillier)	Clare Azzopardi	Merlin Publishers
Lupu Lupettu jħobb id-dinosawri (Orianne Lallemand, Éléonore Thuillier)	Clare Azzopardi	Merlin Publishers
Bertu u l-Istalla (Ian Brown, Eoin Clarke)	Karl Scicluna	Book Distributors Limited
Bertu Rasu ‘l Isfel (Ian Brown, Eoin Clarke)	Karl Scicluna	Book Distributors Limited
Bertu u l-Vaska (Ian Brown, Eoin Clarke)	Karl Scicluna	Book Distributors Limited
Bertu Daqs Dinja (Ian Brown, Eoin Clarke)	Karl Scicluna	Book Distributors Limited
Lupu Lupettu jrid ikun kuntent (Orianne Lallemand, Éléonore Thuillier)	Clare Azzopardi	Merlin Publishers
Busy Park (Rebecca Finn, Louise Forshaw)	Joanne Micallef	Faraxa Publishing
Busy Ħbieb (Samantha Meredith)	Joanne Micallef (traduttriċi)	Faraxa Publishing
Busy Ajruport (Rebecca Finn, Louise Forshaw)	Joanne Micallef (traduttriċi)	Faraxa Publishing

Children’s Literature in Translation (ages 8-12)

Isem il-Ktieb Book Title	Awtur Author	Pubblikatur Publisher
Malvarina: Irrid insir saħħara (Susanna Isern, Laura Proietti)	Clare Azzopardi	Merlin Publishers
Insew is-siġra tal-Milied – iż-Żnuber! (Nerimane Kamberi, Nita Qahili)	Toni Aquilina	Faraxa Publishing

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The National Book Prize 2026 List of Eligible Submissions is Now Out

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