Huthuka Sumi’s Giants Shortlisted for Crossword Book Awards 2026

A wonderful moment for Northeast Indian literature! Giants, the debut novel by Huthuka Sumi, has been shortlisted in the Children’s Books category of the Crossword Book Awards 2026.

The shortlist marks the 20th edition of the prestigious literary awards, which celebrate books across categories ranging from fiction and non-fiction to children’s literature, translations, and business and management. The winners are expected to be announced in December.

For NortheastReads, this recognition is particularly exciting. Giants draws on the richness of Naga folklore and storytelling, bringing a distinctive cultural world to a wider readership.

A boy, a giant and the power of stories

At the heart of Giants is Kato, a boy who seems to have much of what he needs: a loving mother, a loyal friend and an abundance of stories. Yet there is one thing he wants more than anything else—to be like everyone else, to be able to speak.

His world changes when Kene, a legendary giant known as an Old One, arrives in search of a storyteller. Kato is convinced that the giant has made a mistake. What follows is a journey of discovery that unfolds over the course of a year, challenging Kato to understand what it truly means to have a voice.

As the world around him begins to change, so too does Kato’s understanding of himself and his place in it.

Written in lyrical prose, Giants blends magical realism with an exploration of human nature. It is a story about the power of words, the stories communities preserve and the voices that shape the world around us.

Naga folklore finds a wider audience

One of the book’s distinctive qualities is its connection to the folklore, language and natural landscape of Northeast India.

Reader reviews highlight the way the story brings its world to life. One reviewer on Amazon, Yamini, describes the book as a tale rooted in “magical realism, folklore, and emotions,” praising its portrayal of Kato and the lushness of the natural surroundings.

Another reader, Kareini, recalls feeling transported into the story alongside Kato and Kene, while reflecting on the stories passed down by grandparents and the risk of losing them when generations stop sharing them.

That observation speaks to something especially meaningful about books rooted in indigenous storytelling traditions: they can preserve cultural imagination while inviting readers unfamiliar with those traditions into an entirely new world.

Rather than simply drawing on folklore as a backdrop, Giants invites readers to consider the relationship between stories, memory, identity and change.

What readers are saying about Giants

The novel has received warm responses from readers, many of whom have highlighted its imaginative storytelling, emotional depth and memorable characters.

Here are a few reactions shared by readers on Amazon:

“One of my all time favourite fantasy-meets-historical fiction type of books.” — Saisudha Acharya

“A must read for all story seekers.” — Ahito Kibami

“Kato and Kene will stay with me for a long time.” — Bolivi Chishi

Readers have also appreciated the book’s exploration of voice and identity, its incorporation of Naga folklore and its thoughtful portrayal of a world on the brink of change.

A review published on NortheastReads similarly recommends the book for teenagers, describing it as a bildungsroman with magical realism and noting how change shapes both the protagonist and the older world around him.

Together, these responses point to a book that offers more than a fantastical adventure. It encourages readers to reflect on the stories they inherit, the voices they discover and the traditions they carry forward.

A milestone worth celebrating for Northeast Indian literature

The shortlisting of Giants is welcome recognition for Huthuka Sumi and an exciting moment for readers interested in literature from Northeast India.

The region's literary traditions encompass a remarkable range of languages, oral narratives, folklore and contemporary writing. Books that bring these traditions to broader audiences create opportunities for cultural exchange and help ensure that distinctive regional stories find readers beyond their places of origin.

For young readers in particular, encountering stories shaped by the cultural landscapes of Northeast India can be a powerful experience. Such books demonstrate that the stories of their communities belong on bookshelves and in conversations across the country.

As the Crossword Book Awards approach their December announcement, readers will be watching to see whether Giants takes home the award in the Children’s Books category.

Whatever the final outcome, this shortlisting is already a reason to celebrate.

Congratulations to Huthuka Sumi on this wonderful achievement!

Discover Giants by Huthuka Sumi on NortheastReads and add this acclaimed tale of folklore, identity and transformation to your reading list.

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