Jaigirdar wins YA Book Prize

In the UK, Adiba Jaigirdar has won the 2022 YA Book Prize for her second novel Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating (Hodder Children’s), reports the Bookseller.

Described as a ‘charming, relatable, funny’ queer rom-com, Jaigirdar’s novel focuses on two very different Bengali girls, Hani and Ishu, who begin a fake relationship to help Hani convince her friends that she’s bisexual and boost Ishu’s popularity. Before long, they start to develop real feelings for each other.

Jaigirdar, who receives £2000 (A$3400), was chosen as the winner from a shortlist of 10. She said she was ‘honoured and excited’ to be nominated for the award.

‘Bengali people have a long and important history in the United Kingdom but sadly we are very lacking in literature in general. I feel honoured that I got to write this story about two Bengalis, and even more honoured that their story is being recognised by the YA Book Prize and by audiences in the UK.’

Established in 2014, the YA Book Prize is administered by the Bookseller and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Category: International news