WINNER
DANIEL’S STORY by Carol Matas
Scholastic Canada, 1993 Paper 0-590-46588-0
In diary form, Daniel relates his Jewish family’s struggle to survive World War II. No longer able to practice their own religion, vote, own property or even work, Daniel’s family is forced from their home in Frankfurt and sent on a long and dangerous journey to Auschwitz.
NOMINEES
ABALONE SUMMER by John Dowd
Raincoast Books, 1993 Paper 1-895714-24-9
Jim spends the summer in the Queen Charlotte Islands and becomes embroiled in a dangerous fight to stop Abalone poaching. Book two in a trilogy of environmental thrillers.
FLYING GHOSTS by Shirlee Smith Matheson
Stoddart Publishing, 1993 Paper 0-7736-7400-4
It is 1942, and 15-year-old Jam Smith’s quiet life in Alaskan wilderness is disrupted when his uncle arrives with news of war. Suddenly Jay’s life if filled with adventure as he works on the construction of the Alaska Highway.
GOOD IDEA GONE BAD by Leslie Choyce
Formac Publishing, 1993 Paper 0-88789-239-7
A drummer named Mike meets Dariana, the girl of his dreams. Feeling dissatisfied with his life, Mike joins Darian’s band in which, through their music, they fight racism and other forms of intolerance.
HOW COME THE BEST CLUES ARE ALWAYS IN THE GARBAGE? by Linda Bailey
Kids Can Press, 1993 Paper 1-55074-094-6
Stevie Diamond has a robber to catch. The Garbage Buster’s money has been stolen from the Diamond’s apartment, and there aren’t many clues as to who the culprit is. This fast-paced, exciting novel is the first in the Stevie Diamond Mystery Series.
MEET YOU IN THE SEWER by Martyn Godfrey
Scholastic Canada, 1993 Paper 0-590-73082-7
JB’s friends from his writing club – alias the JAWS Mob –investigate a mystery that lands JB smack in the middle of his worst phobia. A wonderfully strange cast of characters turns this tale of friendship into a hilarious story of nail-baiting suspense.
RAVEN THE DEFENDER by Diana Wieler
Groundwood Books, 1993 Paper 0-88899-184-3
RanVan is a dynamic and totally original teenager. Although he doesn’t cope well with his conformist high school, with the aid of a sympathetic and wise vice-principal, he manages to come to the defense of this new girlfriend and learn some valuable lessons about himself.
SPACESHIP DOWN by Bev Spencer
Scholastic Canada, 1993 0-590-74602-2
In this gripping science fiction, three teenagers stranded on an empty planet find themselves in danger when it turns out to be inhabited after all.
THERE WILL BE WOLVES by Karleen Bradford
HarperCollins, 1993 Paper 0-590-74602-02
Ursula is a young woman with unusual healing abilities living in 1096 A.D. Her Knowledge, gleaned from her apothecary father and a monk’s secret book, leads her into trouble and the first Crusade where her life is changed forever by the sights she sees.
THE TOILET PAPER TIGERS by Gordon Korman
Scholastic Canada, 1993 Paper 590-452-50-9
With a catcher who’s afraid of the ball, and a right fielder who falls asleep during games, it looks like the Feather-Soft Tigers are about to become the laughing-stock of the Little League world. Enter feisty Kristy Pendergast who, as coach, helps pull the team out of its slump.
WEEKEND AT THE RITZ by Frank O’Keefe
Beach Holme Publishers 1993 Paper 0-88878-342-6
When Kevin Ashworth’s buddy, Bobby Spezzactena – aka Spazz – is hired to spend the weekend at the Ritz Plaza Hotel impersonating famous rock star Bill T. Bank, the two find more danger and excitement than they bargained for. A rollicking, funny romp.