British writer Malorie Blackman became the first PEN Pinter Award-winning child and young adult writer.
He is 60 years old and has written over 70 novels, including the popular Noughts And Crosses series.
London-born writers follow in the footsteps of Zizi Dangalemba, Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie. All of these have won the annual literary award launched by the human rights group English PEN in 2009.
The award was created in 2009 to commemorate the Nobel Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter.
Blackman will receive the award at a ceremony co-sponsored by the British Library in October.
The PEN Pinter Prize is shared with writers of international courage. This is a writer who is active in advocating for freedom of expression and often threatens his safety.
Co-winners will be selected by Blackman from a list of candidate cases supported by PEN in English, and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in October.
Blackman describes the award as follows: “I am truly honored to receive the 2022 PEN Pinter Award.
“I have long admired Harold Pinter’s courage and dedication to human rights and social justice, and have always believed in the power of creative art to connect and communicate with others.
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“I especially believe in the power of fiction, which spotlights the truth and feels really blessed to write mainly for the most discerning and honest audience, young adults and children. increase.
“Thanks to English PEN for considering me as a worthy winner of this award.”
Blackman, who held the position of poet laureate in children’s literature from 2013 to 2015, was selected as the recipient of the PEN Pinter Award by this year’s jury.
Regarding this decision, Borthwick said: “This is the first time that the PEN Pinter Award has been awarded to writers for young people, so we can expect them to be extraordinary.
“Malorie Blackman has transformed the world of writing for young adults. Her work has never been handed down and her readers have responded by keeping her in mind.
“Mallory has created a dynamic imaginary world where her protagonist is, above all, a wonderful storyteller, tackling and challenging the issue of injustice in a completely fascinating way.”
Blackman’s very popular Young Adult Notes and Cross novel series was adopted by the BBC, and the second series aired in April this year.
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Jack Rowan and Masali Baduza (Ilze Kitshoff / Mammoth Screen / BBC / PA) in BBC adaptation of Noughts and Crosses
The book is set in a society divided by racial discrimination. There, Safie is the cross, a member of the dark-skinned ruling class, and Calm is the note, a “colorless” member of the lower class, who was once a slave to the cross.
Jack Rowan and Masari Baduza portray Stephy and Calm characters on screen adaptations.
Busby said:
“Her commitment to the fact that reading by young adults can not only stimulate imagination, but also shape lifelong ethical involvement in social and political justice issues such as racism and cultural differences. Is outstanding.
“For over 20 years, she has provided a visionary and challenging work that resonates far beyond the pages written.”
– Malorie Blackman was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2008 for her contributions to children’s literature.
