Bernardine Evaristo is Teenage Favourite
On the eve of the 2009 Orange Prize for Fiction awards ceremony, the six members of the Orange Prize youth panel have chosen Blonde Roots, by Bernardine Evaristo, as their overall winner.
The youth panel read the 20 books longlisted for the 2009 Orange Prize before meeting to choose their shortlist of six. The members have also been sharing their experiences of judging a book prize publicly online at Spinebreakers since they began reading in March.
The shortlist chosen by the youth panel was:
Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold, Tindal Street Press
Blonde Roots by Bernardine Evaristo, Hamish Hamilton
The Lost Dog by Michelle de Kretser, Chatto & Windus
A Mercy by Toni Morrison, Chatto & Windus
The Russian Dreambook of Colour and Flight by Gina Oscher, Portobello Books
The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews, Faber and Faber
The group met yesterday to decide their overall winner. The meeting was facilitated by Kate Mosse, author and Honorary Director of the Orange Prize.
“The panel, and the judging process, has exceeded every expectation we had,” commented Kate Mosse. “The quality of debate was astounding and the meetings lively, vibrant, informed and respectful. It’s been a privilege to eavesdrop on their deliberations.”
The youth panel members are Lily Dessau (16), Joe Kerridge (17), Clarissa Pabi (18), Rossana Duarte (18), Francis Gene-Rowe (18) and Max Elsworth (19).
Lily Dessau (16), said, “Blonde Roots is emotive, moving and thought-provoking. It has everything we were asked to look for – accessibility, originality and excellence – and more.”
Max Elsworth (19), added, “Blonde Roots has opened new literary doors for me – it’s a truly remarkable read.”