The Percy FitzPatrick Award, in recognition of author Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, was initiated in 1970 for the best South African children's book in English.[1][2]

Initiated in 1970 by the South African Library Association (SALA), initially only books written and published in South Africa could qualify. Since most children's authors published with international publishers, there were few acceptable submissions in the early years. In 1977, it was decided to broaden the criteria to include books written by South Africans, or from a South African perspective.

In 1980, SALA became the South African Institute of Librarianship and Information Science (SAILIS), and its Committee for Children's Books became responsible for the awards until its disbandment in 1998. Since then, the awards have become the responsibility of the English Academy of South Africa.[citation needed]

In 2014 Kagiso Lesego Molope became the first Black author to win the award.[citation needed]

Winners

YearBookName
2022Luntu MasizaPenny Latimer[1]
Sea Star SummerSally Partridge[1]
2020Sing Down the StarsNerine Dorman[1]
2018Fault LinesJoanne MacGregor[3]
2016The MarkEdyth Bulbring[4]
2014This Book Betrays My BrotherKagiso Lesego Molope[5]
2012Melly, Fatty and MeEdyth Bulbring[6]
2010Daniel Fox and the Jester's LegacyAndy Petersen[7]
2008SuperzeroDarrel Bristow-Bovey
2006Savannah 2116 ADJenny Robson
2004The eighth manMichael Williams
2002SkylinePatricia Schonstein Pinnock
2000The slayer of the shadowsElana Bregin
1994–1995The boy who counted to a millionLawrence Bransby
1992–1993Stories South of the Suncompiled by Christel and Hans Bodenstein and Linda Rode
1990–199192 Queens RoadDianne Case
1988–1989A Cageful of ButterfliesLesley Beake
1986–1987The StrollersLesley Beake
1982–1983The Wood-ash StarsMarguerite Poland
1979The Mantis and the MoonMarguerite Poland
1970–1978No award

See also

References

  1. ^ "Awards and Prizes - English Academy of Southern Africa" (in en-ZA). 12 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  2. ^ Announcement of the Winner of the English Academy Percy Fitzpatrick Prize For Youth Literature
  3. ^ Malec, Jennifer (27 August 2019). "English Academy of Southern Africa Awards winners announced". The Johannesburg Review of Books. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  4. ^ Malec, Jennifer (30 August 2017). "English Academy of Southern Africa Award winners announced". The Johannesburg Review of Books. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  5. ^ "PERCY FITZPATRICK PRIZE FOR YOUTH LITERATURE AWARDED TO KAGISO LESEGO MOLOPE". George Herald. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Edyth Bulbring Wins Percy FitzPatrick Prize (Plus: All the English Academy Award Winners)"
  7. ^ "About the English Academy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-15. Retrieved 2011-05-06.