Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards – Page 2

April 17, 2014May 7, 2025

Shortlist for the 2014 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards

The following Tundra title have been shortlisted for the 2014 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards in the Young Adult / Middle Reader category:

Little Red Lies
Written by Julie Johnston
Hardcover | 352 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-313-1
eBook: 978-1-77049-314-8
“Johnston has crafted a beautifully written, low-key, yet emotional story of a family dealing with the return of a son at the close of war….” – Starred Review, Booklist
“Filled with bumbling characters who achingly love each other, this coming-of-age tale rises above a crowded field to take readers on a moving journey of discovery.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

Congratulations to Julie Johnston! Congratulations to the other shortlisted authors for their titles as well: Ultra by David Carroll; The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten; Jane, the Fox and Me by Fanny Britt and illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault; and Sorrow’s Knot by Erin Bow.

About the Award
The award, made possible by the Ruth Schwartz Foundation, is presented annually to the authors/illustrators of two outstanding works of Canadian children’s literature – a picture book and a young-adult/middle-reader title. The award is administered jointly – the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) oversees the jury process and publicizes the award and the Ontario Arts Foundation (OAF) publicizes the award.

The 2014 winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Aldergrove Public School in Markham, Ontario.

May 23, 2013May 7, 2025

2013 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards Winners

The 2013 winners for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards were announced today at Etobicoke’s North Kipling Junior Middle School, where students gathered for a celebratory presentation.

We would like to congratulate Susin Nielsen! The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen is the Winner of the Young Adult / Middle Reader Award!

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
Student jurors in grades 7 and 8 said the following about The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen: “This is a raw perspective on life but at the same time there are moments of comedy that are genuine” and “This is an important issue for both bullies and those being bullied. Henry’s story shows us what happens to family and friends after suicide or an act of violence.”

We would also like to congratulate Aubrey Davis and Marie Lefrance! A Hen for Izzy Pippik is the winner of the Children’s Picture Book Award.

Thank you to the 2013 selection committee: Melanie Fishbane, book reviewer and blogger; Mary Brown, independent bookseller; and Matthew MacDonald, public librarian. Many thanks to the juries of young readers at North Kipling Junior Middle School. Students in grades 3 and 4 chose the winning author and illustrator of the children’s picture book award. The recipient of the young adult / middle reader award was chosen by students in grades 7 and 8.

For more information about the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards, please visit the Ontario Arts Foundation(OAF) and the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).

April 10, 2013May 7, 2025

Shortlist for the 2013 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards

The following titles have been shortlisted for the 2013 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards in the Young Adult category:

A Tinfoil Sky
Written by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
Hardcover | 224 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-277-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-294-3
“…A Tinfoil Sky is a messy, heart-wrenching story. Sand-Eveland does an admirable job of not flinching from the harsh realities of Mel’s life. Her vivid, descriptive prose clearly depicts a precarious world where love, family and home are elusive propositions…. Tackling a challenging topic, Sand-Eveland deftly weaves hope amidst the hurt and the story has the ring of authenticity to which young readers will respond.” – Canadian Children’s Book News

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
“…a highly emotional story about a family that blames one another, and themselves, for an unimaginable tragedy. Nielsen’s balance of humor and pathos is finely honed, making this a surprisingly breezy read for so heavy a topic.” – Booklist

Congratulations to Cyndi and Susin! Congratulations to the other shortlisted authors for their titles as well: Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, and The Grave Robber’s Apprentice by Allan Stratton.

The 2013 winners will be announced at Etobicokes’s North Kipling Junior Middle School, 2 Rowntree Road, Etobicoke, ON at 1 p.m. on May 23, 2013.

April 24, 2012May 7, 2025

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards Nominations

Congratulations to Marthe Jocelyn, “Scribbling Women” has been short listed for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards in the Young Adult / Middle Reader category!

“Scribbling Women”
True Tales from Astonishing Lives
Written by Marthe Jocelyn
Hardcover | 208 Pages
Ages: 14+
ISBN: 978-0-88776-952-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-230-1

If you want to read what others thought about “Scribbling Women,” check out all the links from the blog tour.

Toronto-born MARTHE JOCELYN is the award-winning author and illustrator of over twenty books. Her picture book Hannah’s Collections was short-listed for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Illustration. Her novel Mable Riley won the inaugural TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. Marthe Jocelyn is the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Vicky Metcalf Award for her body of work.

Ruth Schwartz was a respected Toronto bookseller who ran a bookstore in the Park Plaza Hotel. She made a special effort to promote Canadian-authored children’s books. In 1976, after Ruth Schwartz’s death, her sister, Sylvia, established an award in her name. In honour of the late Sylvia Schwartz, the family recently added her name to the award. The award is administered jointly – the Ontario Arts Council oversees the jury process and publicizes the award and the Ontario Arts Foundation publicizes the award.

The 2012 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards will be judged by a panel of students from a school from the Parkdale area who are representative of the general school population and have demonstrated a strong interest in reading.

May 26, 2010May 7, 2025

The 2010 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award

The winners of the 2010 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award were announced today. As usual, we were all invited to attend the ceremony at the school. The winners were selected by two juries: students in grades 3 and 4 chose the children’s picture book winner and students in grades 7 and 8 picked the young adult/middle reader award winner.

Congratulations to our authors and illustrator!

Winner of the Children’s Picture Book Award Category
Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion
Written by Jane Barclay
Illustrated by Renné Benoit

Winner of the Young Adult/Middle Reader Book Award Category
Vanishing Girl: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 3rd Case
Written by Shane Peacock

Renné Benoit and Jane Barclay get their pictures taken with the grade 3 and 4 students and the awards committee:

Shane Peacock with the grade 7 and 8 student jurors:

Renné, Jane, and Shane stayed to sign books for the students:

Not to break tradition, there were cupcake treats at the end of the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award!

Thank you to the Ontario Arts Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council, the Awards Committee, the Canadian Booksellers Association, the students, librarians, teachers, and school principal!