This award recognizes an author of an outstanding English-language Canadian work of fiction published in 2009 that appeals to readers between the ages of 13 and 18.

The winner of the award and the Honour Books will be announced prior to the Canadian Library Association National Conference and Trade Show. The award will be presented on June 3 at the CLA conference in Edmonton.

The finalists for the 2010 CLA Young Adult Book Award, in alphabetical order by author, are:

• Poster Boy by Dede Crane (Groundwood)
• Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant (Alfred A. Knopf)
• Not Suitable for Family Viewing by Vicki Grant (HarperCollins)
• Haunted by Barbara Haworth-Attard (HarperCollins)
• Girl on the Other Side by Deborah Kerbel (Dundurn)
• Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (HarperCollins)
• The Gryphon Project by Carrie Mac (Puffin)
• Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton (HarperCollins)
• Vanishing Girl by Shane Peacock (Tundra)
• The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade (HarperCollins)

Not Suitable for Family Viewing  has done all right by itself lately.

Last week at the Ontario Library Association Superconference in Toronto, it was one of ten novels chosen  as a 2009 OLA Best Bets for Young Adult Readers.

Today, it was nominated for the 2010 Snow Willow Awards in Saskatchewan.

The Snow Willow is  given through the Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award program (SYRCA), which promotes reading among the province’s children and youth.  Ten books written by Canadian authors and aimed at kids in grades 7 to 9 are nominated. Any student who has read the minimum number of books can vote for their favourite. The winning book will receive the Snow Willow award next Spring.

Pigboy's new cover has Maximum impact

Isn’t this great? My 9-year old friend, Maximum Brauch, wasn’t keen on PIGBOY’S cover so he designed one himself. He even wrote new copy for the back and drew a rather flattering picture of the author.  

Max gave me two copies of his artwork. The one I’m holding here I’ll use as a book jacket. 

The other one I’m going to frame.

My new teen mystery for reluctant readers

If you’re going to be at the Ontario Library Association’s Superconference this week, please drop by and say hello. On Thursday, February 25 at 2:30, I’ll be at the Orca booth (214), signing copies of my new Teen Quick Read, COMEBACK.

On Friday at 11 a.m., you’ll find me at the HarperCollins booth (812), signing NOT SUITABLE FOR FAMILY VIEWING.

You may even get a couple of free books out of it…

Not quite the cover of The Rolling Stone but I'll take it.

Not Suitable for Family Viewing managed to get a recommendation and a very nice review from Canadian Children’s Book News. Reviewer Rachel Seigel said:

“What really makes this novel work is the humour that Grant infuses into the story. With so many heavy, issue-based books on the market for teens, it’s refreshing to read a book that makes you laugh out loud, without becoming silly or losing sight of the message…Teens who are looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read will enjoy this novel, and thanks to Grant’s mastery, will come away having learned some valuable lessons as well.”

On Wednesday, March 3, 7 to 9 p.m – Literacy expert Catherine Bouliane and junior high librarian Rebecca King will talk to me about Reluctant Readers. We’ll look at who they are, what they like to read and how to write for them. Ironically, what may seem to be a crisis for parents and a challenge for educators is actually an opportunity for writers. The YA ‘quick read’ market is  big and growing.

On Wednesday, March 31, 7 to 9 p.m., Vivian Howard from the Dalhousie Library School will discuss “The Naughty Bits – controversial subjects in teen fiction”.  I’m lining up a number of authors and hopefully an editor or two to chime in on the discussion as well.

In Vicki Grant’s Not Suitable for Family Viewing (HarperCollins, 290 pages, $14.99, ages 12+), Robin’s mother Mimi is a popular talk-show host, while Robin sits at home in their Manhattan apartment like a slug. When she finds a school ring and photograph Mimi has hidden away, Robin heads to Nova Scotia to see if she can unearth the story behind them. What she finds surprises her in every way – and includes some nicely comic girl-meets-guy scenes, followed up with a satisfyingly convoluted mystery that involves impersonation, attempted murder and the dangers of relieving oneself outdoors.

A good choice for junior and senior high school students

Not Suitable for Family Viewing has been chosen as an official Book Club selection by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

That's what I like to see

While in Alberta for Children’s Book Week, I visited ten schools, three libraries and any number of book stores. I talked to close to a thousand kids between the ages of ten and eighteen. I learned about pump jacks and stubble and why everybody in Alberta has a cracked windshield.

And I had a very, very good time.

I want to thank all the teachers, librarians, students and book-sellers who made me so welcome.

Would I go back again? As they say in Alberta – “You betcha!”

(This candid photo was sent to me by teacher/librarian Donna Alden after my visit to Calgary Science School. Does my heart good…)

It’s that time of the year again – Canadian Children’s Book Week (November 14 to November 20.) I’m very lucky to have been chosen to tour Alberta. While I’m there, I’ll be visiting lots of schools – from elementary right through high school – but the very first stop on my tour is Owl’s Nest Books. I’m giving a public reading on Sunday, November 15 at 1p.m. Everyone, of course,  is welcome.

My very last stop in Alberta is Chapters in the West Edmonton Mall. I’ll be signing books there Friday, November 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. If you’re in the area, drop by and say hello.