May R. Ayamonte

Winner of the 2026 Edebé Prize for Young Adult Literature

In the heart of Doñana National Park begins the story of Vera, a girl who grows up surrounded by marshlands, animals, and the quiet pulse of the wild. There she discovers that her life is deeply connected to nature and, in a very special way, to the fate of an emblematic species: the Iberian lynx. When she meets Félix, a lynx cub who becomes her inseparable companion, a bond is formed that will shape her life forever.

Over the years, that childhood promise becomes a calling. Driven by the memory of Félix and her love for Doñana, Vera decides to become a biologist and devote her life to conservation.

The Meow of the Marsh by May R. Ayamonte is the novel that won the 2026 Edebé Prize for Young Adult Literature. Through a story of growth, science, and commitment, the author crafts a moving narrative that brings together adventure, environmental awareness, and the enduring power of the promises made in childhood.

A luminous novel about the friendship between a girl and a wild animal, but also about the strength of those who choose to protect what they love.