CODE and NGC Bocas Lit Fest have announced the finalists for the 5th Annual CODE Burt Award for Caribbean Young Adult Literature. This year’s finalists were selected from over 30 submissions of both published books and unpublished manuscripts from around the Caribbean. The winner and two finalists will be announced on April 25, 2018, at the opening night celebration of the 2018 NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

In alphabetical order by title, the 2018 finalists (shown above) are:

A Dark Iris by Elizabeth J. Jones (Bermuda) —Jury summary: “A sophisticated ‘speculative fiction’ story that reveals the realities of adolescence; crushes, family problems, and school. The main character is real and relatable.”

My Fishy Stepmom by Shakirah Bourne (Barbados)—Jury summary: “A delightful story that is charmingly funny. With a folktale antagonist, the shenanigans that result as the main character fights to preserve her bonds of family and friendship are heartwarming.”

The Dark of the Sea by Imam Baksh (Guyana)—Jury summary: “A compelling page turner, this fantastical adventure story follows the journey of a young man who is rebellious, unimpressed by education and religion, cynical about the future, and obsessed with girls. The humour is dark, the morality complicated, …and the victories bittersweet.”

To find out more, see https://www.bocaslitfest.com/2018/03/26/the-2018-code-burt-award-finalists/