National Book Prize and Terramaxka 2021: The longlist

The long list for the National Book Prize and Terramaxka Prize 2020 includes 154 titles

The National Book Council has published the list of eligible titles that have been submitted to the National Book Prize and Terramaxka Prize 2021 for books published in 2020.

The council said all books had been screened for eligibility by the adjudication board according to respective categories. In total, there have been 154 eligible submissions, 95 titles across the eight categories of the National Book Prize, and 59 titles across six categories of the Terramaxka Prize.

"From this year, the Translation category has been broadened to include works of non-fiction, poetry and drama in Maltese translation, as well as works of fiction. Besides this change, the category for Poetry is once again considering poetry collections written in Maltese or English within the same category," NBC said.

The eight categories of the National Book Prize for adults are for: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry, Drama, Literary Non-Fiction, Translation, General Research, and Biographical and Historiographic Research. The six categories of the Terramaxka Prize comprise three categories for original works for children and adolescents (0–7, 8–12 and 13–16-year-olds), and another three categories for translated works for the same age groups.

The council said in the coming months, the members of the board will be reading the submissions in order to select the titles for the National Book Prize and Terramaxka shortlist. The shortlist will be published on the National Book Council’s website and will also appear in a number of local newspapers.

The winners of the Terramaxka Prize will be announced during an awards ceremony which will be taking place during the official opening of the Malta Book Festival on 2 November 2021. The winners of the National Book Prize will be announced later in December at an awards ceremony, of which details will be communicated in due time.

National Book Prize 2021: books published in 2020

Novels in Maltese and English

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Editur // Author/Editor Pubblikatur // Publisher
Cross Connection Jean Paul Tabone Kite Group
Elena Kris Dimech BDL Publishing
Fir-Rutina tal-Kwarantina Alfred Massa BDL Publishing
Il-Mudell ta' Jannar: Il-Mekkanik Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudell ta' Lulju: Iben il-Furnar Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudell ta' Marzu: Il-Fessud Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudell ta' Mejju: Ir-Romantiku Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudell ta' Novembru: Il-Misterjuż Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudell ta' Settembru: Tat-Tattoo Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudella t'April: Il-Kwieta? Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudella t'Awwissu: Il-Qarrejja tax-Xorti Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudella ta' Diċembru: L-Imqarba Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudella ta' Frar: Bint il-Prostituta Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudella ta' Ġunju: It-Tfajla ta' Ġol-Banju Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Mudella ta' Ottubru: L-Infermiera Chris Azzopardi Wise Owl Publications
Il-Prinċep tal-Birgu Karmenu Mallia BDL Publishing
Imħabba Taħt Assedju Darren Agius Horizons
In-Nar Għandu Isem: Noti minn Paġna Intima Gioele Galea Horizons
Iz-Ziju Manwel Joseph Debono Kite Group
Love Happens Lauren Marie Grech Horizons
Meta Nħaraq in-Notre Dame Elio Lombardi BDL Publishing
Michael Charles Buttigieg Horizons
Moonstone – Triangolu Kriminali Ronald Bugeja BDL Publishing
Rubini Sharon Calleja BDL Publishing
Tlettax Kenneth Caruana Horizons

Short stories in Maltese and English

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Editur // Author/Editor Pubblikatur // Publisher
Għoljiet u Stejjer Oħra Maurice Cauchi Klabb Kotba Maltin
Il-Pultruna li Titbandal u Stejjer Oħra Maria Camilleri Horizons
Kissirtu Kullimkien Lara Calleja Merlin Publishers
L-Appuntament mad-Destin u Stejjer Oħra Vince Piccinino Horizons
Lanċa Ġejja, Oħra Sejra u Stejjer Oħra Lina Brockdorff Horizons
Mar-Rimja tar-Rebbiegħa u Stejjer Oħra Lina Brockdorff Horizons
Mitt Ruħ Ġorġ Mallia Klabb Kotba Maltin
MittKelma Rita Saliba Klabb Kotba Maltin
Mużajċi tat-Tafal Joe Camilleri Horizons
Sempreviva Trevor Żahra Merlin Publishers
Widnet il-Baħar u Stejjer Oħra Joe Friggieri Kite Group
Xewqa ta' Tfajjel u Stejjer Oħra Lina Brockdorff Horizons

Poetry in Maltese and English

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Editur // Author/Editor Pubblikatur // Publisher
Amazonite Gisele Schembri Gisele Schembri
Imkien għall-Kenn: Poeżiji John P. Portelli Horizons
Katarsi: Ġabra ta' Poeżiji Alfred Palma Alfred Palma
L-Ambjent li Qeridna: Poeżiji (2017-2020) Carmel Scicluna Horizons
L-Inventarju tal-Kamra l-Kaħla Leane Ellul Merlin Publishers
Lazarus: Prose - Poetry Richard England Kite Group
Megalomanija Perversa: Poeżiji Justin Schembri Horizons
Tgħanniq Ieħor: Poeżiji mill-Iżolament Kit Azzopardi, Simone Ingauenez, John P. Portelli (eds.) Horizons

Translation

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Traduttur // Translator Pubblikatur // Publisher
Endgame bil-Malti (Samuel Beckett) Narcy Calamatta Narcy Calamatta
Ħija Jiġri wara d-Dinosawri (Giacomo Mazzariol) Ludvic Azzopardi Ferrando Merlin Publishers
Il-Waqgħa (Albert Camus) Toni Aquilina Faraxa Publishing
Ir-Ritorn tal-Iben il-Ħali (Henri J.M. Nouwen) Francesco Pio Attard Reliġjon u Ħajja - ĊAK
L-Aħħar Sajf ta' Berlin (Federico Buffa, Paolo Frusca) Mark Vella Merlin Publishers
Mix-Xaqliba ta' Dar Swann – Ismijiet ta' Pajjiżi: L-Isem (Marcel Proust) Paul Zahra Paul Zahra
Otello (William Shakespeare) Alfred Palma Alfred Palma
Riżonanza: Daqqa t'Għajn lejn l-Infinità (Ricky Caruana) Alfred Palma Ricky Caruana
Siġar (Hermann Hesse) Terence Portelli Klabb Kotba Maltin
Verbum Domini (Benedittu XVI) Francesco Pio Attard Reliġjon u Ħajja - ĊAK
L-Uniku Dnub (Bertha M. Clay) Emmanuel Portelli BDL Publishing

Literary non-Fiction

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Editur // Author/Editor Pubblikatur // Publisher
Daniel Holmes: A Memoir from Malta's Prison: From a Cage, on a Rock, in a Puddle... Daniel Holmes Lovin Malta
Dawn Bċejjeċ! Kitbiet Awtobijografiċi Frans A. Attard Uptrend Publishing
Dealing with Coronus: Self-help Notes for a Pandemic Paulann Grech Kite Group
Jien - Noti - Jien: Ħsejjes u Stejjer Immanuel Mifsud, Toni Sant Klabb Kotba Maltin
Jinżlulek Għasel 2: Ġabra ta’ Aneddoti minn Maltin Magħrufa Charles Flores, Tony Barbaro Sant BDL Publishing
Justice for Daphne is Justice for our Right to Know: The Book of the Art Installation Alessandra Dee Crespo (Curator) Midsea Books
Mill-Qari għall-Għejxien tal-Kelma ta' Alla: Lectio Divina għall-Evanġelju ta' Żmien ir-Randan - Sena A Martin Micallef Reliġjon u Ħajja - ĊAK
Sejjieħ il-Ħsieb: Limitu u Ħelsien John Baldacchino Klabb Kotba Maltin
The Strings of Fate Ricky Caruana Ricky Caruana
Xi Ħadd hemm fuq Iħobbni! Peter Calamatta Peter Calamatta

General Research

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Editur // Author/Editor Pubblikatur // Publisher
A Hundred Experiences of a Bird Photographer in Malta Aaron Tanti Birdlife Malta
APS Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale 2020 – Regaining a Paradise Lost: The Role of the Arts Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, Nikki Petroni Mdina Cathedral Museum, APS Bank, APS Mdina Biennale
Bil-Kelma t-Tajba: Prinċipji u Kreattività fil Pedagoġija tal-Lingwa Antoinette Camilleri Grima Klabb Kotba Maltin
Goal: The Official Encyclopaedia of the Malta Football Association vol. 7 - The Eighties: A Period of Revival (1979-1989) Carmel Baldacchino Horizons
International Survey of Children's Wellbeing: Malta 2020 Carmel Cefai, Natalie Galea Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health, University of Malta
Is-Sessiżmu fil-Lingwa Maltija George Farrugia (ed.) Klabb Kotba Maltin, L-Akkademja tal-Malti
Kelma għal Kelma: Teżawru Tematiku Malti Dwayne Ellul Merlin Publishers
L-Ekonomija f'Ilsien ix-Xjenza u l-Filosofija John A. Consiglio Faraxa Publishing
L-Esperjenza tat-Tagħlim Terence Portelli Horizons
The Beheading of Ignez: Katabasis, Ezra Pound and Three Maltese Artists Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci Horizons
The Spazju Kreattiv Art Collection Toni Sant Fondazzjoni Ċentru għall-Kreattività
Tourism and the Maltese Islands: Observations, Reflections and Proposals George Cassar, Marie Avellino Kite Group

Biographical and Historiographic Research

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Editur // Author/Editor Pubblikatur // Publisher
Albert Ganado: Ħajja Mhux tas-Soltu Austin Sammut, Sergio Grech (eds.) Klabb Kotba Maltin
Country Villas in XVIII Century Malta Carmel Spiteri, Charles Paul Azzopardi Kite Group
Crux Invicta: Il-Kurċifiss Mirakuluż u l-Kapuċċini f'Għawdex Martin Micallef Midsea Books
Dellijiet Jgħajtu fir-Ras: Mario Azzopardi: Poeżija, Narrattiva u Kummiedja Soċjali Charles Briffa Horizons
Diaspora: Maltese Overseas Settlement Henry Frendo Midsea Books
Documentary Sources on the Maltese Eighteenth Century Carnival: Il Ballo del Battito or Parata John Debono (ed.) John Debono
L-Istorja tal-Partit Laburista: It-Tieni Volum (1940-1960) Francis Galea SKS Publishers
Luċija Tells... Women's History and Experience of Life on Gozo, Malta: Interviews, Essays, Pictures, Stories and Songs Veronica Veen Veronica Veen
Maltese Migration in Tunisian Coastal Towns (1836-1844) Arnold Cassola Morrone Editore
Mattia Preti: Life and Works Keith Sciberras Midsea Books
Princess Poutiatine and the Art of Ballet in Malta Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel (ed.) Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti
Ruħu Dejjem Tfittex: Charles Casha: Mgħallem Għalliel Charles Briffa Klabb Kotba Maltin
San Ġużepp tar-Rabat tal-Imdina: Storja ta' Devozzjoni u Arti Jeremy Debono Jeremy Debono
Ta' Ġieżu Crucifix: Faith - History - Iconography - Conservation Christian Attard (ed.) Arċikonfraternità tas-Santissimu Kurċifiss, Il-Belt Valletta
Ta' Liesse: Malta's Waterfront Shrine for Mariners Giovann Bonello (ed.) Miller Distributors Ltd.
The Addolorata Cemetery Conrad Thake (ed.) Midsea Books
Trevor Żahra: Bejn Storja u Miti: Ġabra ta' Kitbiet Sergio Grech Horizons

Terramaxka 2021: books published in 2020

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

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Illustratur // Author/Illustrator Pubblikatur // Publisher
3 Xewqat Ruth Frendo, Christ Scicluna (Animazzjoni / Animation) Write Deal Association
Enya l-Aljena... Reġina b'Kumbinazzjoni! (Tikka Qari Livell 7) Audrey Friggieri, Romont Willy (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Ġanni Jżur Ruma Sherise Zammit, Noémie Gionet Landry (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Indur mal-Ħin Dorienne Catania, Donald Camilleri (Illustratur / Illustrator) Klabb Kotba Maltin
Is-Serp ta' Ħafna Rjus Josette Grech, Matt Stroud (Illustratur / Illustrator) Klabb Kotba Maltin
L-Għasfur tal-Kwiekeb Charles Casha, Matthew Stroud (Illustratur / Illustrator) Klabb Kotba Maltin
Ninħasel biex Inkun Nadif Angèle Marie Haber BDL Publishing
Pito u Pita Daniella Zerafa, Matthew Stroud (Illustratur / Illustrator) Horizons
Tal-Forn Noel Tanti, Matt Stroud (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
The Cat on the Mat Florina Silvio, Joanne Mills (Illustratur / Illustrator) Faraxa Publishing
U Għexu Kuntenti għal Dejjem Ruth Frendo, Fleur Sciortino and Daniel Mercieca (Illustraturi / Illustrators) Write Deal Association
U Komplew Jgħixu Kuntenti għal Dejjem Ruth Frendo, Fleur Sciortino and Daniel Mercieca (Illustraturi / Illustrators) Write Deal Association
Where am I from? Elissavet Arkolaki, Platon (Illustratur / Illustrator) Faraxa Publishing

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

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Illustratur // Author/Illustrator Pubblikatur // Publisher
Amazing Maltese Women Kristina Chetcuti, Marisa Attard (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Ġikkur: "Aħna Lkoll Naffermaw u fil-Karnival mal-Indjani Nkantaw" Cedric Chircop, Adrian Theuma (Illustratur / Illustrator) Faraxa Publishing
Ħadd ma Jista’ Jisgħol jew Jagħtas fil-Pubbliku Trevor Żahra Merlin Publishers
Il-Festa tal-Għeneb ta' Kurun il-Qanfud Janet Mallia, Deandra Scicluna (Illustratur / Illustrator) BDL Publishing
Il-Kaxxa tal-Memorji Sandra Hili Vassallo, Francesca Grech (Illustratur / Illustrator) Sandra Hili Vassallo
Il-Kreatura tal-Bir Simon Bartolo, José Luis Oscaña (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Il-Mawra Tiegħi fl-Ispazju Beppe Caruana, Nasim Dardouri (Illustratur / Illustrator) BDL Publishing
Il-Mostru tal-Bajja tal-Ġnejna (Tikka Qari Livell 14) Leanne Ellul, Maxime Lebrun (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Il-Vjaġġ ta' Karl u l-Imħabba lejn l-Annimali Dunstan Hamilton (f'kollaborazzjoni ma' / in collaboration with Kevin Mercieca, George Farrugia) Office of the Commissioner for Animal Welfare
In-Nanna Se u s-Saħħara l-Vjola Kenneth Gauci, Deandra Scicluna (Illustratur / Illustrator) BDL Publishing
Irvin Vella Investigatur Virtwali (5): Il-Każ tal-Maħżen Mitluq John A. Bonello, Lisa Falzon (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Is-Sħaħar ta' Petut (2): Il-Wied tal-Lupu l-Aħmar Clare Azzopardi, Deandra Scicluna (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
It-Tifel li Salva d-Dinja (Tikka Qari Livell 12) Karl Schembri, Alice Samuel (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Ix-Xwejjaħ tal-Ġugarelli u Stejjer Oħra Patrick Sammut, Sue Flask (Illustratur / Illustrator) Horizons
L-Imħabba Tagħna lejn l-Annimali: Obbligi - Liġijiet - Regolamenti - Informazzjoni | Our Passion for Animals: Obligations - Legislation - Regulations - Information George Farrugia, Kevin Mercieca Office of the Commissioner for Animal Welfare
Lellux u Peprin Carmel G. Cauchi, Luca Azzopardi (Illustratur / Illustrator) Horizons
Oliver u l-Mużika fil-Wied Claudia Micallef, Naomi Gatt (Illustratur / Illustrator) Faraxa Publishing
Patatinu l-Ħmar tar-Remissa Maria Ferriggi, Sue Flask (Illustratur / Illustrator) Horizons
Sperillu u L-Gazzetta 'Ħamrija' Natasha Turner, Cynthia Saliba (Illustratur / Illustrator) Faraxa Publishing
Stellini Kursar Malti (Tikka Qari Livell 14) Dwayne Ellul, Moira Scicluna Zahra (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Tara Frendo fuq il-Pjaneta Sturja (Tikka Qari Livell 15) Antoinette Borg, Nicole Diacono (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers
Tikka Poeżija għall-Ħames u s-Sitt Sena Clare Azzopardi (ed.), José Luis Oscaña (Illustratur / Illustrator) Merlin Publishers

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

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Awtur/Illustratur // Author/Illustrator Pubblikatur // Publisher
Ġisku: Ħbieb Ġodda Joseph Francis Ferriggi, Luca Azzopardi (Illustratur / Illustrator) Horizons
The Buried Lance John Naudi Faraxa Publishing

Books translated into Maltese (ages 0-7)

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Traduttur // Translator Pubblikatur // Publisher
Amanda u Wiżżu (Laura Wall) Rebby Vella Wise Owl Publications
Dawra ma' Wiżżu (Laura Wall) Rebby Vella Wise Owl Publications
Ġojjell fl-Iskola tal-Mostri (Laurent u / and Olivier Souillé, Jérémie Fleury ill.) Clare Azzopardi Merlin Publishers
Ġojjell u l-Gżira tal-Għeġubijiet (Laurent and Olivier Souillé, Jérémie Fleury ill.) Clare Azzopardi Merlin Publishers
L-Elf Mistoqsija ta' Dino Ricciolino Dwar il-Virus Corona (Chiara Battistelli) Joanne Micallef Faraxa Publishing
Lenard il-Papru tad-Daħq (Yann Walcker, Julie Mercier ill.) Clare Azzopardi Merlin Publishers
Lupu Lupettu Jfittex Maħbuba (Orianne Lallemand, Éléonore Thuillier ill.) Clare Azzopardi Merlin Publishers
Lupu Lupettu Jrid Isir Artist (Orianne Lallemand, Éléonore Thuillier ill.) Clare Azzopardi Merlin Publishers
Mustaċċi ma Tidħaqx Bih! (Armelle Renoult, Mélanie Grandgirard ill.) Clare Azzopardi Merlin Publishers
Ors fl-Ispazju (Deborah Abela, Marjorie Crosby-Fairall ill.) Clare Azzopardi Merlin Publishers
U kemm se Tirrabja, Ester? (Emmanuelle Cabrol, Olga Demidova ill.) Clare Azzopardi Merlin Publishers
Wiżżu fir-Razzett (Laura Wall) Rebby Vella Wise Owl Publications
Wiżżu Għalaq Sninu (Laura Wall) Rebby Vella Wise Owl Publications
Wiżżu Ħdejn il-Baħar (Laura Wall) Rebby Vella Wise Owl Publications
Wiżżu Mar iż-Żu (Laura Wall) Rebby Vella Wise Owl Publications
Wiżżu Mar l-Iskola (Laura Wall) Rebby Vella Wise Owl Publications
Wiżżu u r-Rigali (Laura Wall) Rebby Vella Wise Owl Publications

Books translated into Maltese (ages 8-12)

Titlu tal-ktieb // Title of book Traduttur // Translator Pubblikatur // Publisher
Il-Familja Frattarija u d-dar li tagħtas (Kari Smeland, Francesca Grech ill.) Simone Inguanez Merlin Publishers
Il-Lanza Msaħħra (Saviour Pirotta, Davide Ortu ill.) Noel Tanti Klabb Kotba Maltin
Il-Pjan Sigriet ta' Eduardo (Rita Rugeroni, Pedro Benvindo ill.) Antoinette Borg Merlin Publishers
L-Avventuri ta' Joe Fenek (Graham Bayes, Salvina Louise Aquilina ill.) Matthew Scerri Faraxa Publishing
Niskopru d-Draguni (Katherine Quénot, Jenna Vincent ill.) Noel Tanti Merlin Publishers