Governor General's Literary Award: Nominees for Children's Text

During the month of October many book lists are published, which is great for the bibliophiles in our lives. As you are looking for great books to suggest to your avid readers, consider the books on the Governor General's Literay Award list for Children's Text. The following five books have made the final list. They are interesting in that they span a variety of genres and styles, so there should be something on that list to appeal to a variety of readers from ages 8 to 12.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman has received great reviews. It is a fantasy set in a world of knights and dragons and a maiden caught in the middle of a political intrigue laced with murder. Will Seraphina, a court musician, be able to keep her secret safe while helping to solve the murder? Written for fantasy lovers, it does have a slow pace into the book, but picks up considerably as the book progresses. The story is complex and compelling. It would be a great novel for an advanced reader (grade 5/6).

 

In Under the Moon by Deborah Kerbel we meet Lily MacArthur, a child that is experiencing sleepless nights, ever since the death of her Aunt Su. She has started to slip out of her house seeking some solace from her restless nights. There she meets Ben, a night shift worker who seems to hold the key to Lily's insomnia. But Ben is keeping a secret of his own...This is a book that will appeal to older readers (grades 6 and up).

 

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen explores the life of Henry K. Larsen once his family has endured a shattering calamity that forced them to move to a new town to escape the past.  Thirteen year old Henry begins to keep a journal at the advice of his therapist and we begin to see how bullying has affected his life. This novel is one of the darkest written by Susin Nielsen, but also one of the most moving and compelling. Definitely for a young adult audience, I would highly recommend this for grades 7 up.

 

With the book, The Umbrella, by Judd Palmer, we are introduced to an uplifting story of love between an umbrella and the human being who is its beneficiary. With its subjects intended to appeal to all readers from ages 7 and up, the stories or poems are darkly humorous and each carries a revelatory or cautionary message. (Text taken from GG website, no review copy available to this blogger. The library does not currently have any copies of this book).

The Grave Robber's Apprentice by Allan Stratton is a fast paced fantasy romp with familiar themes and lively characters, which will stay with you long after the story has finished. Meet Hans, a child washed ashore in a jewelry casket, Angela, a haughty but brave countess and the Necromancer, an evil villian that will haunt your waking hours. Sure to delight, this book comes highly recommended for ages 9 - 12.