2011 Children's Literature Award

The 2011 winners of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction, Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People and the inaugural John Spray Mystery Award have been announced.

Each of these award-winning books was chosen because they exemplify the best work in the Canadian author and illustrator community. Adult and child readers alike are sure to be captivated by these engaging stories, and it is certain that they will soon become Canadian classics that will adorn bookshelves across the country.

All of the winners are available at the library, clicking on the title will take you to the catalogue listing of the title.

TD CANADIAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AWARD ($25,000)

Sponsored by TD Bank Group

Plain Kate
Written by Erin Bow (Kitchener, ON)
for ages 11 and up
"Plain Kate is a triumph of imagination. With astonishing skill, Erin Bow creates the world of Kate, whose talents as a wood carver mark her as a witch. The fascinating, intricate plot bravely explores the wrenching complexities of cruelty and of love. Bow’s prose is at once lyrical and raw, and her characters are indelible. This is a book that will be read for generations.”

MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARD ($20,000)

Sponsored by A. Charles Baillie

I Know Here
Written by Laurel Croza (Markham, ON)
Illustrated by Matt James (Toronto, ON)
Groundwood Books
for ages 5-7
“An authentic, personal voice captivates from the first line, in this leave-taking from a beloved childhood home. The centre of this child’s universe is a trailer camp in the northern wilderness, rendered in all its details with brilliant harmony between Croza’s affecting, naturalistic words and James's evocative, childlike paintings… Running throughout are bittersweet emotions, wonderfully narrated, that all will recognize.”

NORMA FLECK AWARD FOR CANADIAN CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION ($10,000)

Sponsored by the Fleck Family Foundation

Case Closed? Nine Mysteries Unlocked by Modern Science 
Written by Susan Hughes (Toronto, ON)
Illustrated by Michael Wandelmaier (Toronto, ON)
Kids Can Press
for ages 8-12
“A perfect combination of science, story and history, compellingly presented by Susan Hughes who shows with absorbing detail how modern science can shed new light on some of mankind’s most beguiling mysteries… The book is replete with colourful graphic illustrations, maps, photographs and fascinating forensic notes to intrigue the curious child as well as adults… An exciting and entertaining read.”

GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ($5,000)

Sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Bilson Endowment Fund

The Glory Wind
Written by Valerie Sherrard (Miramichi, NB)
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
for ages 11 and up
“A very moving portrayal of both small town life and friendship… Sherrard beautifully conveys the small-mindedness and prejudice of the town, and the subsequent consequences… The Glory Wind effectively depicts life during the 1940s, but still manages to be a modern story that resonates with contemporary readers… It did everything for me that a good novel should do – it made me smile, it made me angry, it brought me to tears.”

JOHN SPRAY MYSTERY AWARD ($5,000)

Sponsored by John Spray

A Spy in the House
(The Agency)
Written by Y.S. Lee (Kingston, ON)
Candlewick Press
for ages 13 and up
“In A Spy in the House Lee has got Victorian London right; this is what Dickens’ world really smelled like, literally and morally... Interesting and unique, Mary Quinn is a strong character who can think on her feet... I loved this book from the first line to the very last... A great read for a young adult of any age... It worked from beginning to end.”

The short listed books for all the categories can be found at The Canadian Children's Book Centre.