The Estonian children’s book Luukere Juhani juhtumised (John the Skeleton, translated by Adam Cullen) by Triinu Laan and Marja-Liisa Plats has been selected as one of six finalists in the children’s and young adult literature category of the Kirkus Prize. This marks the first time a work by Estonian authors has reached the finals of this prestigious American literary award.

The Kirkus Prize is awarded by the U.S.-based literary review magazine Kirkus Reviews. Nominees are chosen from books that have received a Kirkus Star, a distinction awarded to approximately 10% of reviewed books that demonstrates exceptional literary or artistic merit. Out of nearly 10,000 reviewed titles, 18 finalists were selected across three categories: fiction, nonfiction, and children’s and young adult literature.

The children’s and young adult category is further divided into three subcategories: picture books, middle-grade books, and young adult books. The finalists are:

• Picture Books – Island Storm (Brian Floca and Sydney Smith) and Everybelly (Thao Lam)
• Middle-Grade Books – The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze (Derrick Barnes) and John the Skeleton (Triinu Laane, Marja-Liisa Plats, Adam Cullen)
• Young Adult Books – Butterfly Heart (Moa Backe Åstot, translated by Agnes Broomé) and Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal and the Lost Dream of Jonestown (Candace Fleming)

The Kirkus Prize is among the world’s most financially substantial literary awards, with each category winner receiving USD 50,000. Established in 2014, the award aims to recognize outstanding books that have earned a Kirkus Star.