First Prize
One of the novels I like the most is Garvey’s Choice by the author Nikki Grimes. It was first published in 2016 by Boyd Mills/Wordsong. Garvey’s father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading – anything but sports.
Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, and a loyal friend. But he is also overweight, teased by bullies and lonely.
When his only friend encourages him to join the school choir, he finds a new soloist in Garvey. And through the choir, Garvey finally finds a way to reach out to his distant father through the language of music instead of the language of sports. I love the novel Garvey’s Choice because it has the power to make a successful life.
Babu Pavithra, Grade 10,
St. Anthony’s Girls’ College, Kandy.