Young Adult writer, Patrice Lawrence, winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and YA Book Prize, won the inaugural Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize for her ’richly textured’, ‘unapologetic celebration of teen culture’, Eight Pieces of Silva (Hachette Children’s). 
 

Lawrence said, 'I am so surprised, joyful and downright grateful that Eight Pieces of Silva has been awarded the inaugural Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize amongst such wonderful competition. I can't stop smiling knowing that a book starring a Black, working class, proudly out lesbian (and K-Pop fan) connects with so many people.”
 

Commenting on Lawrence and Eight Pieces of Silva, Jhalak Prize judge Candy Gourlay said, “The very first Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Book Award had a cornucopia of beautiful books pitted against each other. Eight Pieces of Silva was a standout, richly textured with strong ‘aha!’ cultural references. Powerful, unputdownable, and totally satisfying.”

Jhalak Prize judge Kiran Millwood Hargrave added, “Amongst a constellation of extraordinary stories, each of which made their mark, Eight Pieces of Silva, became our navigating star. We loved it for its unapologetic celebration of teen culture. A mystery, a drama and a comedy, it feels like a book that is entirely of the moment, but with qualities that will make it endure. It’s the perfect inaugural winner of the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Award.”