《驯鹿六季》(Reindeer Through Six Seasons), by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane
Published by Tomorrow Publishing House
China, 2018
JURY’S COMMENTS:
This is an exceptional coming-of-age story about human and nature. A teenager who suffered from the loss of his mother and the self-isolation that followed has found himself again after a year’s life in the woods. He accepts the reality and embarks on a new journey in life. This story, characterized by a fresh and original plot and refreshing and sincere language, shows young readers a different lifestyle of forests and reindeer people and will expand their vision in a meaningful way.
《阿莲》(A-Lian), by Tang Sulan
Published by Hunan Children’s Publishing House
China, 2018
JURY’S COMMENTS:
Childhood and hometowns are forever motifs of children’s literature. The novel of A-Lian written by Tang Sulan has created full and distinctive characters as well as a vivid and unadorned plot. The lively paintings of the rural life, which have a strong farmer flavor, tell a life legend that has developed in A-Lian’s childhood hometown that will not take shape anytime or anywhere else. The narrative style not only allows us to re-savour our reading experiences with the Hunan authors such as Shen Congwen and Zhou Libo, it also highlights the character and beauty that is unique to this story.
《独龙花开 我们的民族小学》(Blooming with Happiness in the Dulong Area: Our Minzu Primary School), by Wu Ran
Published by Aurora Publishing House
China, 2018
JURY’S COMMENTS:
In a remote border town of Yunnan Province, where the mysterious Dulong ethnic group live, a minzu primary school sets up and a group of competent teachers work to help their adorable students pursue dreams. These elements have constituted a non-fiction children’s book that is strangely fascinating with a note of realism. It is the author’s years of devotion to the Dulong people that has yielded a touching story with narrative flow. Writing with artless sincerity, Wu Ran has documented the transition of ethnic minorities from a primitive society to the new era, which makes his work stand out with distinct features of the time.
《海龟老师1：校园里的海滩》(Teacher Turtle 1: A Beach on Campus], by Cheng Wei
Published by Zhejiang Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House
China, 2018
JURY’S COMMENTS:
What makes this book about first-graders’ school life extraordinary is the author’s concern for education improvement from an international perspective. With a vivid portrayal of major characters, such as the approachable returnee teacher Mr. Lei and the observant first-grader “me,” the story is both amusing and inspiring. In the book, Mr. Lei has racked his brains to fulfill his promise to the pupils—taking them to the beach, from which the reader will marvel at the remarkableness of the teacher and learn how to deal with reality wisely.
《风雪那年》(That Year in the Blizzard), by Liu Hu
Published by Shanghai Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House
China, 2018
JURY’S COMMENTS:
The story is not simply about rendering good for evil. When old herdsman Khandro decides to foster Gongpu Norbu, the child of that man who has killed his son, and when the snow leopard brings home the wolf orphan whose mother has eaten her cubs, we the readers are touched by their incomparable benevolence. Thanks to his keen observation and deep understanding of the Tibetans living in the Qilian Mountains, the author has written a compelling story of selfless love with convincing details and cultural logic. Indeed, it is a poetic eulogy to love that transcends all barriers.
