WINNER
SILVERWING by Kenneth Oppel
HarperCollins 1997 0-00-648179-5 RL: 5 IL :4-8
The thrilling story of Shade, a young silverwing bat who is separated from his colony during the long winter migration and finds himself on an incredible journey.
NOMINEES
BODY IN THE BASEMENT by Norah McClintock
Scholastic Canada 1997 0-590-24983-5 RL: 5 IL: 6-8
When Tasha’s father is accused of murdering his wife, Tasha is determined to prove his innocence. Her search for the truth unlocks secrets from the past and leads her into danger.
THE DARK TOWER by Sharon Stewart
Scholastic Canada 1998 0-590-12438-2 RL: 6 IL: 5-8
A gripping novel set during the French Revolution, based on original journals written by the 11-year-old daughter of King Louis XVI during her imprisonment in a dismal tower.
DRAGONFIRE by Karleen Bradford
HarperCollins Canada 1997 0-00-648180-9 RL: 5 IL: 4-7
Dahl, the King of Taun, must rescue his homeland, yet he is plagued by doubt, especially about Catryn, his friend who has slipped through time and space and now wants answers.
GRAVE DANGER by Gisela Sherman
Scholastic Canada 1997 0-590-12383-1 RL: 5 IL: 5-8
A gripping mystery novel about 16-year-old Cassie who is being haunted by the ghost of her look-alike ancestor.
THE HOLLOW TREE by Janet Lunn
Knopf 1997 0-676-97143-1 RL: 5 IL: 5-8
A suspenseful tale of a brave and admirable young girl who escapes to Canada with a group of Loyalist during the American Revolutionary War.
JESS AND THE RUNAWAY GRANDPA by Mary Woodbury
Coteau Books 1997 1-55050-113-5 RL: 5 IL: 4-8
A rugged setting, believable action and realistic characters are interwoven with the realities of Alzheimer’s disease in this dramatic survival story.
JULIANA AND THE MEDICINE FISH by Jake MacDonald
Great Plains Fiction 1997 0-96970804-43 RL: 5 IL: 4-8
Juliana attempts to deal with her parents’ divorce while spending the summer at her father’s lodge. A compelling coming of age story.
A LIGHT IN THE DUNES by Martha Attema
Orca Publishing 1997 1-5514-3085-1 RL: 6 IL: 6-8
A suspenseful story of 14-year-old Rikst and her friend who stumble across a body on the beach and see what appears to be a ghost. Returning to the beach after summoning help, they find the body has disappeared.
MIRACLE AT WILLOW CREEK by Annette Le Box
Second Story Press 1998 1-896764-0405 RL: 5 IL: 4-6
A story about a city girl who moves to the marshlands of B.C. and becomes involved in an adventure to save the endangered cranes.
MOONKID AND PROMETHEUS by Paul Kropp
Stoddard Kids 1997 0-7736-7465-9 RL: 6 IL: 6-9
When trouble leads Ian to community service, he is assigned to tutor a big, tough basketball player. His unusual methods result in an invaluable friendship.
MAKE OR BREAK SPRING by Janet McNaughton
Tuckamore Books 1998 1-895387-430 RL: 6 IL: 6-8
In the spring of 1945, 15 year-old Evelyn is competing for the scholarship that bears her father’s name against her best friend Peter, and the most popular boy in school. As the war ends, Ev makes discoveries that change her life.
NO FIXED ADDRESS by Maureen Bayless
Scholastic Canada 1997 0-590-12378-5 RL: 5 IL: 5-9
Thirteen-year-old Sabie has taken care of herself since her mother died. Now her estranged father wants her to live with him and his new family. Can Sabie trust him and start a new life.
THE NOSE FROM JUPITER by Richard Scrimger
Tundra Books 1998 0-88776-428-2 RL: 4 IL: 4-6
A Hilarious novel featuring Alan, a shy kid whose life turns upside down after Norbert, an alien from Jupiter, moves into his nose.
PROMISE SONG by Linda Holeman
Tundra Books 1997 0-88776387-1 RL: 6 IL: 5-8
At the turn of the century, when thousands of English orphans were “adopted” by Canadian families, two loving sisters have their dream of happiness in the new land shattered when they are separated on arrival.
WAR OF THE EAGLES by Eric Walters
Orca Book Publishers 1998 1-55143-099-1 RL: 6 IL: 5-8
Set in Prince Rupert during WWII, 12-year-old Jed, part Tsimshian, and his Japanese-Canadian friend Tadashi, rescue an eagle and nurse him back to health. Jed struggles with the question of where his allegiance belongs…to his country’s code or his native heritage?
WISH ME LUCK by James Heneghan
Bantam Doubleday Dell 1997 0-440-764-X RL: 6 IL: 6-8
Concerned for their 13-year-old son’s safety during the bombing of Britain, Jamie’s parents put him on a ship bound for Canada. Mature,
Language makes this exciting story suitable for older readers.
WHAT’S A DARING DETECTIVE LIKE MEDOING IN THE DOGHOUSE? by Linda Bailey
Kids Can Press 1997 10-5507-4398-8 RL: 4 IL: 4-6
Stevie and Jessie find a lost dog and accidentally dye it green, then discover it has been stolen from the President of the U.S.A. Another funny, fast-paced Stevie Diamond mystery.