Zimbabwean author Blessing Musariri is sole African finalist for $50K Kirkus Prize

Zimbabwean author Blessing Musariri has been shortlisted for the 2026 Kirkus Prize, standing as the only African finalist across all categories. Her novel “When It’s Your Turn for Midnight” competes for the $50,000 award in the Young Readers’ Literature category. The nomination spotlights Zimbabwe’s literary talent on a global stage and highlights the growing recognition of African voices in international publishing.