The 2013 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards galas in October were a fantastic celebration of Canadian writing for children and young people. TD and the Canadian Children’s Book Centre did a terrific […]

On October 15, the Ontario Library Association announced the 2014 Forest of Reading nominees. I’m delighted that Yesterday’s Dead  has been nominated in the Silver Birch Fiction Award category for Grades 3 to 6. 

The Forest of Reading program promotes reading at all ages by featuring Canadian books and authors. Children in participating schools and libraries all over Ontario are invited to read the books nominated in their catagory. Bookclub-type discussions are held from October through April, with resources, games and activities supplied. Then, thrillingly for writers, the readers themselves vote online for their favourite book by the end of April. It all winds up with the fabulous Festival of Trees in May. 

2014 marks the 20th year for the Silver Birch Fiction Award. It’s an honour to be associated with this terrific program run by countless volunteers at the Ontario Library Association, and at libraries and schools across the province. By promoting literacy through the Forest of Reading, we truly are planting a seed for the future of Ontario.

In early September, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre named Yesterday’s Dead as one of five finalists for the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, one of the 2013 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards to be presented on October 22, 2013 in Toronto. We were travelling when I received this exciting news.

Being a finalist is equal parts thrilling and daunting because all of the finalists are terrific books by incredibly talented Canadian authors:

I’m staggered by the degree to which historical fiction continues to offer compelling stories that young people want to read. Like me, all of these authors are fascinated by stories from the past. Like me, they love the research and the possibilities they uncover, And like me, they probably tear their hair out, too, as they work to get the story right. I encourage you to read all of this year’s nominated finalists and share them with your favourite young readers.

Writing for young people is about being the very best writer you can be, every single day, because our audience has the highest standards of all. I’m honoured to have my first novel stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these outstanding books. Stay tuned for the results from the October 22 gala in Toronto!