The CODE Burt Award for African Young Adult Literature announced its 2018 shortlist at the beginning of August, when it was reported on James Murua’s blog.

According to Murua:

The CODE Burt Award is a literary award and readership initiative that recognizes excellence in locally authored literature for young adults, ages 12-18. The objective of the prize is to champion literacy, build language skills, and foster the love and habit of reading by ensuring that young people have access to high-quality, culturally relevant, and engaging reading materials. In 2008, CODE established the Burt Award for African Young Adult Literature with the generous support of Canadian philanthropist William (Bill) Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation. First established in Tanzania, the program has since expanded to Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada, and the Caribbean.

This year’s shortlist, as judged by the prize’s five-member jury:

Ebony Girl by Vera Akumiah (Kwadwoan Publishers, Ghana)

Finding Columbia by Kinyanjui Kombani (Oxford University Press, East Africa Ltd, Kenya)

To Kiss a Girl by Ruby Yayra Goka (Digibooks, Ghana)

The Lion’s Whisper by Elizabeth-Irene Baitie (Kwadwoan Publishers, Ghana)

Somebody’s Daughter by Hiwot Walelign (Mega Publishing, Ethiopia)

Matilda Amissah-Arthur, Chair of this year’s jury commented in a prepared statement: “The diversity of themes in the manuscripts we received this year was impressive. We have some wonderful and dynamic young adult literature coming out of these countries. The publishers, editors, and writers should all be very proud of their work.”

The winning title and honour books will be announced at the CODE Burt Award Ceremony in Accra, Ghana.