Percival Everett’s novel “James,” a reimagining of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” told through the perspective of the enslaved character Jim, has been named as a finalist for the 11th annual Kirkus Prize. The Kirkus Reviews, a prominent book review publication, revealed the finalists for fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature. The winners in each category will receive a prize of $50,000.
Among the fiction nominees are novels by Richard Powers, Louise Erdrich, Jennine Capó Crucet, Paul Lynch, and Rufi Thorpe. Erdrich’s “The Mighty Red,” Powers’ “Playground,” Crucet’s “Say Hello to My Little Friend,” Lynch’s “Prophet Song,” and Thorpe’s “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” are all in contention for the prize alongside Everett’s “James.”
Nonfiction finalists include Steve Coll’s “The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the CIA, and the Origins of America’s Invasion of Iraq,” Adam Higginbotham’s “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism And Disaster on the Edge of Space,” Tessa Hull’s “Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir,” Olivia Laing’s “The Garden Against Time: In Search of a Common Paradise,” Shefali Luthra’s “Undue Burden: Life and Death Decisions in Post-Roe America,” and Carvell Wallace’s “Another Word for Love: A Memoir.”
In the young readers’ literature category, nominees include picture books by Joanna Ho and Jason Reynolds, as well as middle grade books by Hiba Noor Khan and Sherri Winston. Young adult releases by Kenneth M. Cadow and Safia Elhillo are also among the finalists. Winners of the Kirkus Prize will be revealed on October 16 during an event in Manhattan.
