This prize is awarded in even-numbered years to a picture book with text or a book for beginner readers, and in odd-numbered years to a longer chapter book or a book for middle grade or young adult readers.
2019 submissions closed
Sponsored in memory of Janet Savage Blachford
Submissions are closed. The shortlist will be announced in mid-October.
2018
Sponsored in memory of Janet Savage BlachfordWinner
Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament
(Kids Can Press)
shortlisted
The Big Bed
(Farrar, Straus, and Giroux)
That`s Not Hockey
(Annick Press)
Jury
Matt McCarney (Greensfeild Park)
Nadia Hohn (Toronto)
Ellen Schwartz (Burnaby)
2017
Sponsored by Janet and John BlachfordWinner
Subject to Change
(Orca Book Publisher)
shortlisted
Chico
(Paper Dog Press)
Lightning Lou
(DCB)
Jury
Catherine Austen
Lisa Doucet
Raziel Reid
2016
Sponsored by Janet and John BlachfordWinner
Oscar Lives Next Door
(Owlkids Books)
shortlisted
This is Sadie
(Tundra Books)
Bug in a Vacuum
(Tundra Books)
Jury
Gary Barwin
Rhonda Batchelor
Heather Phipps
2014
Sponsored by Janet and John BlachfordWinner
Hate Mail
(Orca Book Publishers)
shortlisted
Any Questions?
(Groundwood Books)
Straight Punch
(Orca Book Publishers)
Jury
Penny Fransblow
Robert Priest
Farida Zaman
2013
Winner
Undercurrent
(Doubleday Canada)
shortlisted
Desperate Freedom
(Brian Wrixon Books)
The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan
(Cape Breton University Press)
Jury
JonArno Lawson
Horace I. Goddard
Alice Kuipers
Maya Munro Byers
2012
Winner
26 Tips for Surviving Grade 6
(James Lorimer & Co. Ltd.)
shortlisted
Pyro
(Orca Book Publishers)
Yellow Mini
(Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
Jury
Nick Thran
Lori Joy Smith
Sigmund Brouwer
2011
Sponsored by Babar BooksWinner
Milo
(Simon & Schuster)
shortlisted
Without You
(Kids Can Press)
The Circle Cast: The Lost Years of Morgan LeFay
(Tradewind Books)
Jury
Shannon Babcock
Sarah Ellis
Anne Fine
2010
Sponsored by Babar BooksWinner
Rough Magic
(Second Story Press)
shortlisted
Walking Backward
(Orca Book Publishers)
The Middle of Everywhere
(Orca Book Publishers)
Jury
Danny McAuley
Wendy Wayling
Tim Wynne-Jones
2009
Sponsored by Babar BooksWinner
What World is Left
(Orca Book Publishers)
shortlisted
Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion
(Tundra Books)
When Stella Was Very, Very Small
(Groundwood Books)
Jury
Lis Clemens
Robert Heidbreder
Itah Sadu
2008
Sponsored by Babar BooksWinner
Orphan Ahwak
(Orca Book Publishers)
shortlisted
Pier 21: Stories from Near and Far
(Lobster Press)
Tuk and the Whale
(Groundwood Books)
Jury
Anne Chudobiak
Carey Fagan
Jeanne Ragbir