“Los coleccionistas de ceros” by Eva Escudero Fraile wins the second edition of the Hortensia Roig Prize

by Virginia Greco

This novel by debut author Escudero Fraile seeks to entertain young readers while promoting new and diverse role models. The Hortensia Roig Prize aims to support children's literature that provides a stereotype-free view of the world of science and technology and that can inspire and encourage girls to study STEM disciplines.

The award ceremony of the second edition of the Hortensia Roig Prize for children's literature was held on 20 September 2023 in Valencia at EDEM Escuela de Empresarios. “Los coleccionistas de ceros”, a novel by Eva Escudero Fraile from Madrid, won first place, with “La mansión de las diez puertas”, by Lucía Álvarez Álvarez from Oviedo, as runner-up.

The promoter of this initiative, Hortensia Roig, President of EDEM and Director of Mercadona, presented the awards accompanied by the members of the jury: the oncologist and professor Ana Lluch; the nanotechnologist and CSIC professor Laura Lechuga –leader of the NanoBiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group at the ICN2—; the executive president of 50&50 Gender Leadership, Gloria Lomana; the biologist and entrepreneur Ángela Pérez; and the founder and CEO of Plataforma Editorial, Jordi Nadal.

The jury unanimously awarded first prize to “Los coleccionistas de ceros” (“Collectors of zeros”) by Eva Escudero Fraile, highlighting that this addictive and plausible story "champions positive values such as friendship, empowerment, teamwork and the motivating stimulus of education". The second position went to Lucía Álvarez Álvarez's “La mansión de las diez puertas” (“The Mansion of Ten Doors”), an entertaining story that recognises the achievements of women scientists, many of whom are little known. Among the four texts shortlisted for the prize were “Las gafas de Sofía” by Lucía Carballeira Vieites (Santiago de Compostela) and “A través de los sueños” by Jose Mª Vázquez Ana (Alicante).

In this second edition, 179 original works written in Spanish were submitted. The competition includes a cash prize of 10,000 euros for the winner, provided by Hortensia Roig from her personal assets, and the publication of the winning novel. 3,000 copies of the book will be distributed nationwide by Plataforma Editorial and will be available in the country's main bookshops in October. The runner-up gets a prize of 2,000 euros.

EDEM's president Hortensia Roig, declared: "This initiative that I have personally promoted, inspired by my passion for books, seeks to be an agent of change, awakening curiosity for science and technology, and igniting a necessary flame, especially in girls, and among any young reader between the ages of 9 and 11. A magical age for children, when we can help shape their future or at least show them the way so that they can make unrestricted choices."

Winner Eva Escudero Fraile is a primary school teacher and social anthropologist. “Los coleccionistas de ceros” is her first work. In her speech at the ceremony, she explained what inspired her text: "Children's literature should entertain, yes; but also at an early age, from classrooms and books, we can promote equal opportunities and show girls models of current scientists or talented women in which they can look at themselves. With initiatives like this, girls can perceive themselves as active agents in the construction of a future in which female talent can be included."

The interest aroused by this literary initiative, demonstrated by the numerous and high-quality manuscripts received, motivated Hortensia Roig to announce the continuation of the prize for next year. The next call for entries will open in January 2024.

Photo: Hortensia Roig (left) with winner author Eva Escudero Fraile (right).