Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize

Where do ideas come from? Maybe they grow in the ground like a seed. Maybe you bake them like a bun. Perhaps you can catch a shimmering idea from the sea, or pluck a ripe one from the branches of a tree . . .

Follow a little girl as she curiously tries to find the answer to this very big question. A clever and colourful book for younger readers which brings together adventure, a range of contexts and subjects.

As the little girl sets out to catch ‘a super-shiny, sparkling, brand-new’ idea, she asks advice from those she meets along the way. Children are sure to have plenty of their own thoughts about where ideas come from – perhaps they might be inspired to start a notebook like hers, allowing them to draw, note, write and scribble as ideas and thoughts come to them.

The lovely illustrations (drawn as if in a child’s hand) complement the narrative, and the cute squirrel companion added a touch of humour with its antics.

This split narrative story – dividing time between Samim’s current situation in foster care awaiting his asylum decision, and his narrated past of how he came to Britain from Afghanistan – is both moving and pacey, standing out as a powerful refugee story.

Pathos is built through Samim’s narrative of his horrific journey and those he lost along the way, but also through the present tense story in which he is bullied at school, and the guilt he feels that he has let down and lost his best friend, Zayn. Throughout the present tense narrative, Zayn appears to him as a ghost, giving witty insights into his situation at school and his endeavours in chess club.

When Samim narrates his journey to his caseworker, Zayn is both alive and a lively character – Samim’s best friend and the closest thing he has to family. Both boys are superbly rendered, their personalities clear and engaging, which invokes empathy and understanding.

This book deals with many topical issues, not just refugees, but also the importance of cultural heritage, hobbies, friendships and an understanding of identity and rights.

This is not just an ‘issue’ book, but an engaging read. The story contains references to medication, fighting, and gender identity, and also portrays death and a graphic journey across water. Most suitable for the very oldest in primary or KS3, and is compelling and powerful, sitting alongside Welcome to Nowhere by Elizabeth Laird or Boy Everywhere by AM Dassu.

This ‘out of this world’ graphic novel has lots to like and is a strong first offering from a brand new series of young graphic novels.

The story follows Nova, who is from a family of scientists and creative geniuses. Influenced by an environmental problem she sees on the news, Nova rushes to her secret lab to try to find a solution. After a few attempts, she succeeds, and all seems well until things get out of control and she is in a race against time to stop Chomp on his path of destruction. Nova soon realises that she cannot do this on her own and needs to enlist the help of her sister Cassi.

This short and easy-to-read graphic novel is fast-paced, fun and the perfect read for budding inventors or scientists. With bright colours, energetic characters and important themes like plastic pollution, girls in STEM and environmental problem-solving, this is pitched for 7-9 year olds and will surely appeal across primary schools.