We are utterly thrilled to share that four Transatlantic authors have been Shortlisted for The 2023/2024 Red Cedar Book Awards!
The Red Cedar Book Awards hopes to encourage kids, families, and educators from across British Columbia to read the Red Cedar Book Awards nominated non-fiction and fiction books , talk about, and vote for their favourite titles!
To learn more, click here: https://www.redcedaraward.ca/
And the votes for the shortlist are in!
Included in the Non Fiction category is:
BETTER CONNECTED: HOW GIRLS ARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR GOOD by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Julia Kyi, illustrated by Vivian Rosas (Orca Book Publishers)
The online world has real dangers, but girls around the world are using social media to create positive change and practice good digital citizenship.
You’ve probably seen media stories about the ways girls interact online, with headlines like “Depression in Girls Linked to Higher Use of Social Media,” or “Half of Girls Are Bullied on Social Media.” Better Connected focuses on the less-recognized and positive aspects of the online experiences of girls. From environmental activism to gun control, immigration policy to education access, girls are leading the way. They’re showing up, teaming up and speaking up. With profiles of real changemakers and practical tools for getting started, Better Connected is an inspiring look at the amazing things girls can accomplish online.
Tanya and Julia are represented by Amy Tompkins.
And in the Fiction category:
AUTUMN BIRD AND THE RUNAWAY by Melanie Florence and Richard Scrimger (Scholastic Canada Ltd)
Two kids from different worlds form an unexpected friendship.
Cody’s home life is a messy, too-often terrifying story of neglect and abuse. Cody himself is a smart kid, a survivor with a wicked sense of humour that helps him see past his circumstances and begin to try to get himself out.
Autumn is, quite literally, on the other side of the tracks from him. Her home life is loving and secure, and she is “in” with the popular girls at school, even if she has a secret life as a glasses-wearing, self-professed comic book nerd at home. And even if the pressure to fit in at school requires hours of time spent making herself look “perfect.”
Returning home from a movie one evening, Autumn comes across Cody, face down in the laneway behind her house. All Cody knows is that he can’t take another beating from his father like the one he just narrowly escaped. He can’t go home, but he doesn’t have anywhere else to go either. Autumn won’t turn her back on him, even if they never really were friends at school. She agrees to let him hide out in her dad’s art studio at night.
Over the next couple of days of Autumn sneaking Cody food and bandages, his story comes out. And so does hers.
Told in alternating narratives, Autumn Bird and the Runaway is a breathtaking collaboration by two of Canada’s finest writers of books for young readers. Infused with themes of identity, belonging and compassion, it’s a story that reminds us that we are all more than our circumstances, and we are all more connected than we think.
Melanie is represented by Amy Tompkins.
EIGHT DAYS by Teresa Toten (Scholastic Press)
Sami Stanic isn’t a crier. She’s found it’s better to be useful, so people keep you around. It’s worked for the past ten years that she has lived with her grandfather.
But when unexpected news shakes her world, Sami comes face to face with her deepest fears. Is there anywhere she really belongs? If people knew where she came from, could they still love her?
From the towers of Toronto’s Thorncliffe Park to Chicago’s south side, and back again, Sami and an unusual entourage set off on an eight-day journey that will change her life forever. Along the sometimes heart-wrenching, often hilarious way, Sami uncovers painful secrets – but also the truths that shine a warm light on what home and family really mean.
Teresa is represented by Samantha Haywood.
Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors!