Thank you for visiting Catalyst Press! We are an independent publisher with a focus on African literature. We want to bring the diversity of African literature to readers worldwide. With titles spanning genres including literary fiction, graphic novels, memoir, travel, crime fiction, and science, our authors explore lives, stories, and places in ways that make our global community feel more connected. Change can happen in lots of ways, but we think it begins one page at a time.
Our titles for young readers have won several awards including the Children’s Africana Book Award and selection for the USBBY Outstanding International Books List. Below, you’ll find a complete list of titles for young readers— ranging from beginning readers to crossover titles, as well as educational resources and notes from our authors.
Review copies are available, and can be requested by contacting Ashawnta Jackson at publicity [at] catalystpress.org. You can also find us at Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and to stay updated on our events, new releases, author news, and more, sign up for our email list here.
Halley’s Comet written & translated by Hannes Barnard (Young Adult) Out January 2022
In the final years of South Africa’s Apartheid era, an unlikely trio—a sheltered white rugby player, a black farmworker’s son, and an Indian shopkeeper’s daughter—discover the consequences of knowing the truth and having the courage to speak it.
“Hannes Barnard delivers an indelible exploration of the importance of empathy in seeing color without seeing inferiority.” —Sonia Patel, author of William C. Morris Award finalist Rani Patel In Full Effect
Author Hannes Barnard on Halley’s Comet (video)
The Lolo Series by Niki Daly (Beginning Readers)
This series for new solo readers follows Lolo as she navigates her way from adventure to adventure. Lolo skips through life, leaving a trail of laughter and a few frowns in these books, each featuring four easy-to-read stories.
Both Here Comes Lolo and Hooray for Lolo have been chosen as Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections.
Here Comes Lolo —out now
Hooray for Lolo — out now
You’re a Star, Lolo — out now
Fly High, Lolo — out May 2022
Hear author Niki Daly read a story from Here Comes Lolo (video)
Download a Lolo activity sheet (PDF)
Download Lolo Teaching Guides Here Comes Lolo | Hooray for Lolo
Niki Daly on the making of the Lolo series
The Cedarville Shop and the Wheelbarrow Swap by Bridget Krone (Middle Grade) Out June 2022
When Boipelo Seku learns about a man who traded his way from a paperclip to a house, he starts a trade of his own in his small village of Cedarville, South Africa, accidentally setting in motion a string of good deeds that will change his community forever.
On My Papa’s Shoulders by Niki Daly (Beginning Reader) Out May 2022
Whether it’s jumping in puddles with Tata in the rain, greeting the neighborhood cat on the quiet back streets with Gogo, or holding hands with Mama while we rush to make the bell, I’m always excited to walk to school with my family. But nothing is better than walking to school with my dad, who puts me up on his shoulders to see the town and always says “I love you” when he says goodbye. A sweet ode to fatherhood and the special relationships children share with each member of their family, On My Papa’s Shoulders reminds us that it’s not about where we’re going, but rather the people who walk with us along the way.
Small Mercies by Bridget Krone (Middle Grade) Out now
11-year-old Mercy lives with her eccentric foster aunts in a house that’s seen some better days. When developers start eyeing the house and her Aunt Flora’s health begins to worsen, Mercy feels like her life is falling apart. But some lessons from the past can help Mercy change her future, and teach her to stand up for what’s right— even when it’s hard.
Named a Best Middle-Grade Book of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews
2021 Outstanding International Books List, United States Board on Books for Young People
Interview with Bridget Krone on Kirkus’ “Fully Booked” podcast (interview begins at 2:00)
Hear author Bridget Krone read an excerpt from Small Mercies
Discussion questions for Small Mercies (PDF)
A Small Mercies crossword puzzle (PDF) Crossword answers
The Fiery Spiral Trilogy by Helen Brain (Young Adult)
In Cape Town, South Africa in the year 2055, 16-year-old Ebba den Eeden is released from an underground bunker where she’s spent her entire life and inherits enormous wealth and political power—as well as an ancient prophecy to save the world from a second apocalypse. Ebba will learn the impossible decisions – and great sacrifice – that sometimes come with destiny.
Book 1: The Thousand Steps (out now)
Book 2: The Rising Tide (out now)
Book 3: TBA
Helen Brain on the Fiery Spiral trilogy Note: In South Africa, the series is known as the Elevation trilogy
Read an essay by Helen at Electric Literature
The Shaka Series written & illustrated by Luke W. Molver (Young Adult) Out now
This retelling of the Shaka legend explores the rise to power of a shrewd young prince who must consolidate a new kingdom through warfare, mediation, and political alliances to defend his people against the expanding slave trade. And once in power, his fight to maintain his rule as threats from both home and abroad threaten his kingdom.
Book 1: Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince
Book 2: King Shaka: Zulu Legend
Children’s Africana Book Award 2019 Honor Book for Older Readers (Shaka Rising)
Finalist, 2020 Excellence in Graphic Literature Award, Young Adult category (King Shaka)
Teaching guide for Shaka Rising | Teaching guide for King Shaka
Shaka Rising coloring page | King Shaka coloring page
Watch an interview with Luke discussing the role of comics and graphic novels in education and storytelling
Crossover Titles
Young Blood by Sifiso Mzobe Out now
Sipho, a seventeen-year-old from Umlazi, a township on the outskirts of Durban, South Africa. drops out of high school and joins a carjacking syndicate to make a name for himself and escape his family’s low-income life. Along with hijacking partners Musa and Vusi, Sipho learns the tricks of the dangerous trade and pushes deeper into the underbelly of Umlazi.
Candid and unapologetic, Young Blood is the story of the intricate balance of circumstance and choice, swift gain and incredible loss, as Sipho finds out how far he can push his luck before the damage is irrevocable—and the consequences deadly.
We Kiss Them With Rain by Futhi Ntshingila Out now
The terrible thing that steals 14-year-old Mvelo’s song leads to startling revelations and unexpected opportunities.
Life wasn’t always this hard for Mvelo. There were good times living with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend. Now her mother is dying of AIDS and what happened to Mvelo is the elephant in the room, despite its growing presence. The things that seem to be are only a façade, and the things that are revealed hand Mvelo a golden opportunity to change her fate.
2019 Outstanding International Books List, United States Board on Books for Young People
2019 Skipping Stones Award honoree, Multi-cultural and International Books
Discussion questions for We Kiss Them with Rain
Cat Among the Pigeons by David Muirhead Out now
The first release from our science-focused imprint Powers Squared, Cat Among the Pigeons by journalist and conservationist David Muirhead, is a collection of short, humorous essays about the lives and habitats of the animals that call the African continent home. Mixing folklore, myth, and science David explores a wide array of animals, each with a eye on how human behavior affects these species.
Hear author David Muirhead read an excerpt from the book
The Lion’s Binding Oath and Other Stories by Ahmed Ismail Yusuf Out now
Beneath Somalia’s recent history of war and displacement lies human stories—families, clans, lovers, neighbors, and friends, all bound together through common cultural, religious, and historical ties in this debut short story collection.
Discussion questions for The Lion’s Binding Oath