WINNER
SUNWING by Kenneth Oppel
RL: 5 IL: 4-8
In this sequel to Silverwing, the bats are swept up on a perilous journey to the jungle. A story alive with mythology, technology and magic.
HONOUR BOOKS
ANGELS TURN THEIR BACKS by Margaret Buffie
RL: 5 IL: 6-8
Fifteen-year-old Addy is afraid to take even one step out of the house. A compelling, supernatural thriller about a girl caught in the grip of agoraphobia.
DAHLING, IF YOU LUV ME, WOULD YOU PLEASE, PLEASE SMILE by Rukhsana Khan
RL: 5 IL: 6-10
Zainab Chaudry is the only Muslim student in her school. She’s also the only person not wearing this year’s popular brand of jeans. A teacher thinks that putting Zainab in charge of the school play will increase her popularity, but Zainab’s problems at school and home only get worse.
NOMINEES
ALONE AT NINETY FOOT by Katherine Holubitsky
RL: 5 IL: 6-8
Fourteen-year-old Pam is struggling to come to terms with the emotional overload that her mother’s death has brought to her life. A thoughtful, passionate, often funny, sometimes sad story of how she puts her life back together.
AN ISLAND OF MY OWN by Andrea Spalding
RL: 6 IL: 6-8
Desperate for a summer project, Rowan camps out on an island to monitor the progress of an endangered group of sea otters, and the activities of a realtor trying to see the property for tourism.
BURIED TREASURE by Barbara Haworth-Attard
RL: 4-8 IL: 5-8
Jesse gets in trouble with the law and is sent to care for his grandfather. Miserable, Jesse is drawn to Eliza, whose mother committed suicide. Can these three people help each other out?
THE BRIDESHIP by Joan Weir
RL: 5 IL: 6-8
In the 1860’s, Sarah and Maud set out for Canada, hoping for a better life, only to find themselves expecting to marry complete strangers. A saga of two brave young pioneer women.
GRAVE SECRETS by Sylvia McNicol
RL: 5 IL: 4+
Nicholas learns that his new house used to be an orphanage, in which a terrible accident once occurred. Now Nicholas must muster all his strength to prevent history from repeating itself.
JANEY’S GIRL by Gayle Friesen
RL: 6 IL: 6-8
As 14-year-old Claire and her mother drive across the country to visit her grandmother, Claire watches her mother become anxious about returning to her hometown. A sensitive story about family.
KALIFAX by Duncan Thornton
RL: 6 IL: 5-8
Come with Tom, the brave captain and the fearless crew of the Volantix, as they sail for the roof of the world, fighting snow-goblins and ice trolls. Will Grandfather Frost come to their rescue? Will the legend of the astounding Kalifax see them through?
LIONHEART’S SCRIBE by Karleen Bradford
RL: 5 IL: 6-8
The year is 1190. Fifteen-year-old, Matthew, a lowly, crippled, apprentice scribe and an orphan is drawn into the bloody and divisive war between King Richard the Lionheart of England and King Philip of France.
THE RED BANDANA by David J. Smith
RL: 4 IL: 4-7
Eleven-year-old Jake is just beginning to adapt to life on a ranch when he makes an exciting discovery. This is a great Caribou adventure involving a young boy and a wild coyote.
THE STORY BOX by Monica Hughes
RL: 6 IL: 6-8
On the island of Ariban, dreams are forbidden and punishable by death or banishment because they are considered by the Elders to be lies. When Jennifer, shipwrecked storyteller, and her story box full of books arrive on the island, Colin and his sister find their lives at risk.
SKY LAKE SUMMER by Peggy Leavey
RL: 5 IL: 4-7
Jane visits her grandmother’s cottage and finds a cry for help in the form of a letter. With the help of a friend, she traces they mystery to an exciting conclusion.
WHEN NIGHT EATS THE MOON by Joanne Findon
RL: 6 IL: 6-8
Thirteen-year-old Holly, dumped by her mother at the farm of her aunt and uncle in England, struggles with loneliness. To escape, she takes her flute to the old barn on the property where she is suddenly transported to 700 B.C.
THE WRECKERS by Iain Lawrence
RL: 5 IL: 5-9
John tries to escape a band of villains after a vicious storm shipwrecks him. Fast-paced and addictive, this adventure yarn weaves together pirates, kidnapping, mystery and ghosts.