Black Isle author’s LGBTQ+ young adult novel shortlisted for prestigious national award
A Black Isle author’s LGBTQ+ young adult novel has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
Sophie Cameron, who was born and raised on the Black Isle, has been shortlisted for the Polari Children’s and YA Prize for her book, Away With Words.
Cameron’s novel, aimed at teenage readers, explores the importance of language and communication in a world where words appear physically when people speak.
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In its second year, The Children’s and YA Polari Prize occurs every two years, and is awarded to an LGBTQ+ book aimed at children and young people of all ages, published in the last 24 months, with the winner receiving a cheque for £1000.
Chair of judges, Jodie Lancet-Grant said: “The shortlist this year doesn’t only show the best in LGBTQ+ writing for children and young adults — it really does include some of the best writing of any kind in the genre. We have been extremely impressed with the level of entries.
“What a joy it’s been to judge the prize this time round. We’ve received such a brilliant array of joyful LGBTQ+ titles for kids and young adults, and it’s been particularly heartening to see how often characters’ queerness is such an incidental part of their story.”
Rayann Aboo, Polari Children’s and YA Prize judge, said: “Choosing the top five has been difficult decision, everyone should be so proud! I’m confident with our five, but to every author, thank you for writing such amazing books!
“Each and every book had powerful storytelling and rich narratives — all authors should be proud. However, only a few books had to be selected and after a long discussion, the books chosen among us were the ones that stood out.”
he Polari Prize winners’ ceremony will return to the British Library for a third year on Friday, November 29.
