Malaysian author Hanna Alkaf's second novel among nominees for US-based Kirkus Prize

'I never have thought this would happen to me at this stage of my career,' says Hanna about being a finalist for the Kirkus Prize. Photo: The Star/Ong Soon Hin

Author Hanna Alkaf's second book The Girl And Ghost, published this year by Harper (an imprint of Harper Collins), is in the running for the annual US-based Kirkus Prize. Hanna's book is a finalist in the Young Reader's Literature category.

“I saw the email from my editor when I woke up this morning and was so sure I was dreaming that I made my husband read it to make sure it was real, ” says Hanna when she received the news today.