Tony C Cutajar

At the end of September 2009 Tony C. Cutajar published this book written mainly for children in their last years in the Primary School. It is his eighth story of the Mystery Series published by Klabb Kotba Maltin. A class of pupils are studying Maltese history in connection with the bastions, towers and other fortifications around the island. The main gate in the Cottonera bastions, known as Notre Dame Gate or Bieb is-Sultan, is associated with a very old legend which says that in the direction which the statue of the Grand Master atop the building is looking at there is a hidden treasure. It’s a mystery how nobody ever succeeded in finding this treasure. The pupils compete between themselves in trying to solve this mystery. After a lot of adventures, one of the girls manages to find it by chance and becomes a heroine overnight.

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS is an emotionally charged piece of literature that inspires thought and difference of opinion. Written by the Irish author John Boyne (born 1971), it is a book of unrivalled educational value and should be required reading on every school curriculum. In March this year it exceeded one million copies sold worldwide. In Spain it has been the best seller, was the biggest selling novel in 2007 and has sold over 800,000 copies in Spanish. It holds the record for the longest ever No. 1 in the Irish bestseller chart, 66 weeks and still going, over two years after publication.

The book was winner of the Irish Book Award Children’s book of the year, winner of the Irish Book Award Listener’s Choice book of the year and winner of the Bisto Children’s book of the year. It was shortlisted for the British Book Award, the Borders’ Original Voices Award (USA), the Ottakar’s Book Prize (UK), the Paolo Ungari Prize (Italy), the Berkshire Book Award, the Sheffield Children’s Book Prize, the Lancashire Book Prize and the Irish Novel of the Year Award. Finally it was longlisted for the 2007 Carnegie Medal.

This powerful, timely and unsettling novel has been translated into 32 languages and now even in Maltese by the popular author of children’s books Tony C. Cutajar.and published by Klabb Kotba Maltin under the title of IT-TIFEL BIL-PIGAMA RRIGATA. It should shortly be on the stands at the same time as the release of the film (Mirmax/Heyday) which was written and directed by Mark Herman and released abroad only some months back.

The Independent (UK) describes this extraordinary yet simple story as “A fine addition to a once taboo area of history packed with overtones that remain in the imagination” It stays just ahead of its readers before delivering its killer punch in the final pages.”

Already this year another three books written by Tony C Cutajar have been published by three different publishing houses. 2008 seems to be another very promising year for the author, as was last year when he won two prestigious rewards at the National Book Award ceremony. In January Klabb Qari Nisrani published and distributed its 103rd edition under the name of ZGHAZAGH FIL-BIBBJA, dealing with eleven young heroes of the Bible whose experiences can serve as models even for our modern youngsters.

In March Klabb Kotba Maltin issued the latest in the series of mystery stories entitled IL-MISTERU TA’ MIGRA L-FERHA, an adventure story with a Maltese history background in connection with two young couples and their exploits. Then in April PIN continued its series of books entitled “Kullana ghat-Tfal” which contain factual information on cultural aspects of Maltese society. Tony C Cutajar’s book, entitled IS-SERVIZZI, deals with Social Services: the police, teachers, doctors, nurses and tourist operators.

On the occasion of the Book Fair and Book Awards ceremony which took place at the Auberge de Castille on 29 November 2007, Tony C Cutajar won two prestigious awards. He was judged first in the category of books for children with his book Id-Drawwiet from among 23 other books presented by various other authors. Furthermore he won second prize in the drama category with his book Mhux Skond iz-Zokk. The awards were presented by the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi in the presence of Dr Louis Galea, Minister for Education, and a numerous audience of authors, publishers and distributors. A selection of Mhux Skond iz-Zokk was one of two representations dramatised for the occasion by the School Drama Unit. .

In February 2008 we are having two new books written by Tony C Cutajar. One is ZGHAZAGH FIL-BIBBJA to be published by the Media Centre, dedicated to all teenagers and young adults. It recalls famous personnages in the Bible? who in their youth lived an interesting or unusual life and who showed great faith in God. The second book is IL-MISTERU TA’ MIZRA L-FERHA to be published by Klabb Kotba Maltin. This is one of a long serious of mysteries for children and young adults being published by the Klabb these last few years. The author has? written a number of them and hopes to have another mystery this year.

I’ve been writing since 1974 and since then I’ve published almost one book a year. At times in one year three or four books of mine came out, depending always on the good will of the publishers. As a teacher I always found the time to indulge in writing.

I started writing for adults, then for children and these last few years I’ve dedicated my energies towards teenagers who always complained that there were no books in Maltese specifically written for them. And they were right. But now they have no excuse for not reading in Maltese now because I’ve already published 15 books for their pleasure and a number more are waiting for the light of day.

When I’m invited to speak to students about my books, they often ask me why I almost always write in Maltese. As a teacher of English for more than 40 years, ten of them in England, they expect me to write only in English. Well, I always loved the Maltese language, even when away from our island. And I still do. I hope that you do too and maybe my books will encourage you to start writing like me.

Good luck.