The 15th arrondissement of Paris welcomed, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, a number of children's authors and literary journalists. They were all invited to the Marguerite-Yourcenar Media Library to elect the new winner of the Friday Prize.
At the initiative of this prize is the group of children's literature publishers of the National Publishing Union, which thus pays tribute to Michel Tournier, late author of the timeless Friday or wildlife (Gallimard youth).
« Encounter quality literary works »
Thus, and since 2017, around ten French-speaking works intended for those aged over 13 have been selected to compete for the title of winner. Each of them must have been published between October 1 of the previous year, and September 30 of the current edition: a whole year to find the next pearl of children's literature.
35 publishing houses proposed a title of their choice, hoping to win the precious title, and the €2,000 prize that accompanies it. A check delivered by the La Poste Corporate Foundation, historic partner of the Prize, which wishes to “ carry out solidarity projects, throughout France, to help people of all ages grow, in every sense of the word », says Anne-Marie Jean, general delegate of the Foundation.
Before continuing: “It is essential to support the Friday Prize, because it allows adolescents to encounter quality literary works at an age where distractions are numerous, often to the detriment of reading. »
An 8th edition marked by sensitivity
A conviction shared by each of the jurors present in the room, who carried out a long debate to choose from a selection which all welcomed “ homogeneity “. Among the titles noted, The Cabin by Ludovic Lecomte moved people with his poetry and his exploration of the syndrome of “ the cabin », paying tribute to the difficulties of those who struggle to leave their homes.
But it is a completely different type of work that the jury rewarded: “The new novel winner of the Friday 2024 Prize isThe Hunt by Maureen Desmailles, published by Thierry Magnier», proudly announces Claudine Desmarteau, who today transmits her title of 2023 winner for In the name of Chris (Gallimard Jeunesse).
The collection “ The Ardor»: between recognition and controversy
The latter emphasizes “ the high quality of the text, but also the work of the publisher around the Ardeur collection, which has the courage to talk to adolescents about sexuality“. She mentions here the decree signed by Gérald Darmanin in July 2023, prohibiting the sale of the book to minors Way too small by Manu Causse, published in the same collection.
READ – Thierry Magnier: “ The violence of such a decision left us speechless“
At issue: a violation of the law of July 16, 1949 relating to publications intended for young people, which provides in particular in its second article that these works will not contain any content of a pornographic nature.
A novel « bold»
It is in this context that the jury awarded the title of winner to Maureen Desmailles, for the quality of her text and the themes it proposes. InThe Huntshe gives life to Max, barely seventeen years old, who has always struggled with a feeling of invisibility. In the neighboring house, Ellie, the young daughter of the newcomers, and Cosme, her companion, have come to settle in for the summer. To them, Max is anything but invisible. A risky game then begins where Max explores his desires and the attraction he arouses in each of his partners.
This first novel was judged “bold», by the jury, because carried by a narrative voice whose genre remains deliberately vague. A stylistic choice that goes beyond literary virtuosity: it invites us to question our own biases and stereotypical representations, and to go beyond a binary vision of relationships, whether friendly or romantic.
This is what its author claims, moved to receive such an award. “I would like readers to remember that heterosexuality is not obligatory!», she says, a touch of shyness on her face. “It was my first book. It feels good to talk to adolescents about sexuality in a tone of joy and not trauma, because it can be joyful. »
A title defended in bookstores
A message also carried by the booksellers, who defended the title during the final vote, but also on a daily basis in bookstores. This is the case of Simon Roguet, from the bookstoreRead mein Laval. He confides that he “really liked this title and the selection as a whole, which was particularly relevant this year ». « It was very close, but I'm happy with the result, and I will defend this title even more in bookstores! »
At his side was Raphaële Botte, journalist atTelerama; Philippe-Jean Catinchi, culture editor atMonde; Françoise Dargent, editor-in-chief of Culture atFigaroand author of three children's novels; Claudine Desmarteau, author and winner of the 2023 Friday Prize; Marie Desplechin, journalist and author for children and adults; Nathalie Riché, children's literature critic who runs the blog www.allonz-enfants.com, Cécile Ribault-Caillol and Tom Levêque.
Find the list of French and French-speaking literary prizes
Image credits: ActuaLitté / CC BY SA 2.0
FILE – Selections, juries, winners: the 2024 literary season awards
By Louella Boulland
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