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National Book Prize and Terramaxka 2021: The longlist
The long list for the National Book Prize and Terramaxka Prize 2020 includes 154 titles
11 May 2021, 5:46pm
Laura Calleja
Laura Calleja
12 min read
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 |
Laura Calleja is features editor at MaltaToday
