The 2014 Red Maple Fiction Award Winner

The Toronto Festival of Trees took place on May 14-15, 2014 at the Harbourfront Centre. We were there to cheer on our nominated authors and illustrators! The Ontario Library Association revealed the winning titles and honour books for the 2014 Forest of Reading program and Tundra would like to congratulate our winning author, Susin Nielsen!

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K LarsenThe Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
256 pages
Hardcover: 978-1-77049-372-8
Trade Paperback: 978-1-77049-654-5
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
“With fully developed adult and child characters and a solid sense of middle school humor, the author has crafted an insightful and nuanced novel about bullying and suicide, and familial love and resilience.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal

Here’s a short clip of Susin accepting her Red Maple award on stage:

Video courtesy of Sigmund Brouwer.

PS: Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen was the winner of the 2010 Red Maple Award!

The 2013 Snow Willow Award Winner

The Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice’s Willow Awards promote reading by granting a Willow Award to the Canadian books voted by students to be the best of those nominated in three categories: Shining Willow, Diamond Willow, and Snow Willow. The 2013 Willow Awards winners were announced at the SaskEnergy Willow Awards Gala on May 7, 2014 in Swift Current at The Lyric Theatre.

And the winning authors and illustrators are…
Martin Springett, Isobel Springett, Jonathan Auxier, and Susin Nielsen! Congratulations to all!

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K LarsenThe Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 pages
HC ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
TR ISBN: 978-1-77049-654-5
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
“…With fully developed adult and child characters and a solid sense of middle school humor, the author has crafted an insightful and nuanced novel about bullying and suicide, and familial love and resilience.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal

PS: Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen was the winner of the 2010 Snow Willow Award and Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom was the winner of the 2011 Snow Willow Award!

2014 IODE Violet Downey Book Award Shortlist

The shortlist for the National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award has been selected and announced. Congratulations to Susan Laidlaw and Andrew H. Vanderwal!

An Infidel in ParadiseAn Infidel in Paradise
Written by S. J. Laidlaw
Hardcover | 320 Pages | Ages 12+
ISBN 978-1-77049-304-9
eBook 978-1-77049-305-6
“Laidlaw, a globetrotting social worker, puts her firsthand knowledge of faraway lands and cultures to good use in this exciting tale of a Canadian teen’s encounters with some of the best and worst features of a radically different society. Emma’s first-person, present-tense narration is realistic and compelling.” – VOYA Magazine

Death of a KingDeath of a King
Written by Andrew H. Vanderwal
Hardcover | 304 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN 978-1-77049-398-8
eBook 978-1-77049-399-5
“This action-packed historical fantasy, with its breakneck pace, numerous brief chapters, and multiple chases and battles, is perfect for male and reluctant readers, as well as fantasy and historical fiction fans…. The historical details here are impressive…..” – VOYA Magazine

Congratulations to all of the shortlisted authors:

  • Namesake by Sue MacLeod
  • The Power of Harmony by Jan L. Coates
  • September 17th by Amanda West Lewis

The winner will be announced to the public at the 114th IODE National Annual Meeting on May 30, 2014. The winning author will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and will be invited to attend the award ceremony in London, Ontario.

IODE Canada is a national women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community service and citizenship programs.

For a list of past winners or for more information about IODE, please visit www.iode.ca.

Tuesdays with Tundra 39

Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!

If You Happen to Have a DinosaurIf You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Colin Jack
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN 978-1-77049-568-5
If you happen to have a dinosaur, lying around your living room, and you don’t know what to do with it … why don’t you use it as a can opener? It will make a terrific nutcracker too! There are oodles of uses for a dinosaur — from a fine umbrella to an excellent kite and a dandy pillow, not to mention a reliable burglar alarm and the perfect excuse to forget your homework. This delightfully absurd exploration of the domestic uses of dinosaurs — and the things dinos just aren’t good for at all — is guaranteed to tickle funny bones and spark imaginations. If you read carefully, you’ll learn how to make your dinosaur last a very long time.

MillhouseMillhouse
Written by Natale Ghent
Hardcover | 192 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN 978-1-77049-639-2
eBook 978-1-77049-641-5
Millhouse is a faint-hearted, hairless guinea pig. A great lover of all things theatrical, most especially the work of William Shakespeare, Milly longs for the limelight and someone to love. However, after the death of his beloved owner, the great actor Sir Roderick Lord Kingswagger, Millhouse is abandoned to a neglected and dusty pet shop filled with other rodents — some rude, some odd, some cute and some downright frightening. Finding himself a reviled outcast and a target of the nasty Pepper Brown ferret, Millhouse sets about trying to find a way back to the theater and a happy home, and in doing so experiences more drama than he could ever have imagined.

Viminy Crowes Comic BookViminy Crowe’s Comic Book
Written by Marthe Jocelyn and Richard Scrimger
Illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Hardcover | 336 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN 978-1-77049-479-4
eBook 978-1-77049-480-0
“This wholly imagined fantasy is well-fleshed out and keeps the pages flying with its extremely clever story within a story…. A thrilling and imaginative reminder that adventure and magic can be found anywhere, especially where one least expects it.” – Starred Review, Kirkus

Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new May release of Tundra’s you would love to read and one lucky reader will receive their requested book! One request per person and please review our rules. This giveaway ends at midnight on Monday, May 19, 2014!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Susan, she will be getting a copy of Millhouse by Natale Ghent.

Tundra Book Group