WINNER
CAN YOU TEACH ME TO PICK MY NOSE? by Martyn Godfrey
Avon, 1990 Paper 0-380-75915-2
Seventh grade is tough without being the new kid in school. When Jordy decides to impress the most popular girl in class, things become even more complicated. A little white lie about being a ramp skateboard champion finds Jordy being challenged to a skate-off by the ninth grade champ. And Jordy has never skateboarded in his life!
NOMINEES
CHAPTER ONE by Sue Ann Alderson
General, 1990 Paper 0-7736-7283-4
When Beth’s mother asks her to come home from school every other afternoon to care for her grandmother, Beth is afraid she will lose her place in the gang and possible her new boyfriend, the best looking guy in grade 8. However, Beth’s new responsibilities give her some surprising insights that begin to change the way she looks at the world.
COVERED BRIDGE by Brian Doyle
Groundwood, 1990 Cloth 0-88899-122-3
One day after Hubbo O’Driscoll is given a job as caretaker of the covered bridge near the farm where he lives in Quebec, he is fired. The old bridge is to be demolished. Hubbo wonders what is going to happen to the ghost he saw there on the first night of his job. Soon he finds himself in the middle of a fight to save the bridge which involves him with some peculiar characters and a surprising turn of events.
DAWN RIDER by Jan Hudson
HarperCollins, 1990 Paper 000-647-1536
In the mid 1700’s a Blackfoot tribe captures their first horse. The elders are afraid of the changes this might bring to their way of life. But 16 year-old Kit Fox dreams of riding across the plains. She believes her destiny, and that of her tribe, are linked to this wonderful animal.
THE DRAGON PRINCE by Susan Forest
Gage, 1990 Paper 0-7715-7060-9
The farming community where 16 year-old Kathleen lives is being terrorized by a dragon. Kathleen’s friendship with Callum, a young orphan mysteriously linked with the dragon, leads her into the dangerous world of magic, where she must decide how to use her newly-discovered powers.
FORBIDDEN CITY by William Bell
General, 1991 Paper 0-7739-7314-8
Set during the 1989 student uprising in Tian An Men Square, readers follow Alex Jackson, 17 through excitement and danger. While carrying illegal videotapes, an injured Alex is separated from his CBC news cameraman father but escapes with the help of some heroic Chinese students.
THE HIDIING PLACE by Lyn Cook
Lester Orpen Dennys, 1990 Cloth 0-88619-292-7
A fire at Tadoussac in the winter of 1650 takes the lives of 12 year-old Justine’s parents, forcing her and her young brother Denis to rely on the mercy of a brutal neighbor, Monsieur Gaudin. To escape Justine’s marriage to M. Gaudin, the young people flee into the Quebec wilderness where they find their hiding place, a cave in the riverbank. A young Indian boy whom they rescue and befriend, shares with them the skills they need to survive.
INVITATION TO THE GAME by Monica Hughes
HarperCollins, 1990 Paper 000-647-4144
When Lisse and her friends graduate in 2154, they find that they will be permanently unemployed because robots are doing most of the work formerly done by humans. Assigned to a horrific living area, they are suddenly transported to a strange new paradise when they receive a mysterious invitation to play “the game”.
THE LAST WOLF OF IRELAND by Elona Malterre
Houghton Miffin, 1990 Cloth 0-395-54381-9
In this deeply-moving story set in 18th Century Ireland, young Devin tries desperately to save three orphaned wolf pups from bounty hunters. But the town bully, ignorance and superstition bring tragic results. Soon Devin is the sole protector of the last wolf in Ireland.
THE LIVE FOREVER MACHINE by Kenneth Oppel
Kids Can Press, 1990 Paper 10-55074-010-5
Eric has been taught to value the past. Suddenly he is caught in a conflict between two men who have discovered the key to immortality. One of them wants to destroy all evidence of the past. Can Eric Stop him?
LOSING JOE’S PLACE by Gordon Korman
Scholastic, 1990 Paper 0-590-42769-5
Korman takes readers through a hilarious series of events as three 16 year-olds from a small town spend the summer in a Toronto apartment temporarily vacated by Joe, one the boy’s older brothers. Joe’s only “rule” is “Don’t lose my lease” but September finds Joe without an apartment.
PIT PONY by Joyce Barkhouse
Gage, 1990 Paper 0-7715-7023-6
11 year-old Willie hates the idea of following in his father’s footsteps and going down into the Cape Breten Coal mines. The he discovers Gen, a wild Sable island pony also destined for the mines. Forced into the min to support his family, Willie is reunited with Gem and discovers that loyalty and courage bring him unexpected rewards.
THE RAILROADER by Bernice Thurman
Hunter, 1990 Paper 0-590-72341-0
Trains and becoming an engineer are all 12 year-old Skip thinks about. In an event filled year in the late 1940’s, Skip learns signals from an old CNR watchman and through an act of quick-thinking courage, realizes his cherished dream.
SUDDENLY A SPY by Robert Sutherland
Scholastic, 1990 Paper 0-590-73300-1
In war-torn London, England, 18 year-old Canadian seaman Peter Coll takes shelter during an air raid and finds himself caught up in a dangerous tangle of international espionage.
WAVE WATCH by Lesley Choyce
Formac, 1990 Paper 0-88780-080-7
Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia. When his favourite beach is invaded by “townies”, Randy is resentful at first but then mixes with the new crowd and teaches them the ways of the waves. The summer becomes more complicated when local planners threaten to turn the beach into a provincial park.