The winners of the eighth edition of the Strega Prize Ragazze e Ragazzi are:
CATEGORY 6+
Matthew Cordell, Ugo e Poppy. Così diversi, così amici! (Cornbread and Poppy), translated by Sara Ragusa (Terre di Mezzo)
Part of a young-reader series for either read-aloud or independent reading, this illustrated novel describes the very different reactions of the two characters to life as they play, explore and meet adventure. The classic theme of friends with totally different personalities is here refreshingly revisited, the cartoon-like illustrations and skilful page layout contributing to the well-paced, light-hearted narrative telling the story of two young people learning to understand, accept and support each other despite their differences as they build an authentic friendship.
CATEGORY 8+
Inés Garland, Lilo, illustrated by Maite Mutuberria, translated by Francesco Ferrucci (uovonero)
A story of human friendship, empathy and cyberbullying in which, once again, it is the animal world to question our behaviour. Lilo, a cuddly affectionate dog, has known and played with Emi since he was a puppy. But now, the older pre-adolescent Emi has stopped playing with him, preferring her mobile phone and computer, often becoming inexplicably isolated and tearful. Lilo determines to discover the reason for this sudden change, and with the help of other neighbourhood animals, unearths a disconcerting situation. The cheerful ironic style of Inés Garland and the clarity of Maite Mutuberria’s illustrations deal convincingly with difficult issues of today’s society.
CATEGORY 11+
Dan Gemeinhart, L’imprevedibile viaggio di Coyote Sunrise (The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise), translated by Aurelia Martelli (EDT-Giralangolo)
Right from the start, this intense, moving, humane story of the remarkable journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart is spiced with smiles, tears, surprises, curiosity, and generosity. On their long, tiring travels - a metaphorical coming-of-age journey - Coyote and his dad, Rodeo, happen upon a host of unusual characters, each with his own heavy baggage of stories to tell. But as is often magically the case, their coming together and interaction resolves crises and soothes pain. We emerge from the experience transformed, our innermost selves healed.
CATEGORY Best debut book
Lisa Krusche, L'universo è dannatamente grande e supermistico (The universe is bloody big and super mystical), translated by Anna Patrucco Becchi (Edizioni San Paolo)
The committee gave the following explanation for its choice:
Unexpected, fresh, humorous and tender, Lisa Krusche's debut novel is a true revelation. The story is cinematic, poignant and endowed with a narrative and poetic tension that captures the reader in a playful, unstoppable rhythm. There are imperfect adults, sugar-free portraits, ramshackle bonds, a friend as inspiring as she is eccentric, the selective muteness of someone who has seen too much. There is the sense of the family of choice, the process of choosing and caring for each other, accepting each other and moving together for a common mission, preferably utopian, visionary and cosmic.
CATEGORY Best NARRATIVE IN PICTURES
Rebecca Dautremer, Un attimo soltanto (One tiny second), translated by Francesca Mazzurana (Rizzoli)
The committee gave the following explanation for its choice:
Visually surprising, extraordinarily rich in detail, life and interwoven micro-narratives in which to lose oneself, Un attimo soltanto is a unique and disorientating work of publishing, a polyphonic narrative of dazzling beauty that offers an immensely enjoyable pause in which the pleasures of viewing the images and listening to the author’s measured words achieve a dynamic point of balance.
