I am absolutely thrilled to be on the Forest of Reading list in two categories this year.
Making Bombs for Hitler has been shortlisted for the Silver Birch Fiction Award, and Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War has been shortlisted for the Red Maple Non-fiction Award.
The Forest of Reading program is the hugely successful readers’ choice program run by the Ontario Library Association. In my opinion, the Forest of Reading has done more to promote a passion of reading in kids than any other program in the country.
It takes a massive number of volunteers to manage the various committees. For example, there is a selection committee for each of the Forest of Reading categories. The volunteers must read hundreds of books over the course of a year and then narrow down their selection to a mere ten in each category. There is also a steering committee for each category, and these hard-working folk have a myriad of behind the scenes things to do.
The winners are chosen by kids themselves. In order to ensure that your vote counts, make sure to register!
The Harbourfront celebrations in mid-May are amazing! Thousands of kids from all over come together to meet in person their favourite authors. We get up on stage and are cheered. This is the closest a children’s author ever gets to feeling like a rock star!
In addition to Harbourfront, there are also celebrations in Parry Sound, Thunder Bay, and North Bay!
Dare I admit that I don’t care who wins? Being shortlisted means getting to participate in all the fun! Congratulations to all of my fellow nominees. Let the party begin!
