Readers who are blind or visually impaired can access a selection of the nominated books in alternate format at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Library. Contact CNIB Library Reader Services at: 1-800-268-8818 for more information.

The NOMINATED BOOKS are:

Parvana's Journey
by Deborah Ellis
Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2002

Parvana lives in war-torn Afghanistan. The story opens at the grave of Parvana's father. She and her father were searching for the rest of their family, but he was too ill, now Parvana must continue the search on her own. Only a courageous young girl like Parvana can survive this journey in such horrific circumstances. Her only companions are other desperate children that she meets along the way and need Parvana's care.

The Dirt Eaters
by Dennis Foon
Toronto: Annick Press, 2003

Roan's entire community has been destroyed. He has lost everything and everyone he loves and needs. Only Roan and his sister survive. She is kidnapped and Roan is taken in by a warrior sect called the brothers; where he learns skills he never would have learned in his idyllic home. So begins Roan's quest to find his sister. In this post apocalyptic world war lords rule, Roan has to adapt to survive. In the process, he learns things about himself and his family that will change his life forever.

In Spite of Killer Bees
by Julie Johnston
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2002

This is the humorous and touching story of three sisters, colourful Aggie, rebellious Jeannie and somber Helen, who have lost their father and been abandoned by their mother. After receiving news of an inheritance from their grandfather, the three head to small town Ontario where they face a number of obstacles - not the least of which is themselves - in attempting to collect their inheritance while at the same time learning what it means to be a family.

The Buccaneers
by Iain Lawrence
Toronto: Delacourte Press, 2002

Seventeen-year-old John Spencer is now a seasoned crew member aboard The Dragon. On their way to the West Indies with a cargo of wool, they discover a mysterious stranger in a lifeboat. Rumours of piracy and a sense of impending danger make the crew suspicious of their new shipmate. Suspense builds as they encounter a very real and very dangerous pirate ship.

Waiting for Sarah
by Bruce McBay and James Heneghan
Victoria: Orca, 2003

Mike has lost everything. His parents and his sister are killed in a terrible car accident. He survives, but loses both legs. Facing the world without family, in a wheelchair is something he just doesn't want to do. Until.... he is given a research assignment that helps him learn about school history and a mysterious girl named Sarah. Who is Sarah? Why is she so eager to help him? Mike solves a mystery, learns about Sarah but most of all learns a lot about himself.

Hit and Run
by Norah McClintock
Toronto: Scholastic, 2003

Told from the point of view of a 15 year-old boy living in downtown Toronto whose life was changed dramatically four years previous when his mother was killed in a hit and run accident. Now living with his errant Uncle Billy, Mickey's life takes a turn when he discovers that his History teacher, Mr. Riel, was the cop who investigated her death. Though the police investigated the accident, no one was found guilty of the crime. Through some twists and turns and Mickey's thoughtful approach, they find out that his mother's accident may have been murder!

Charlie Wilcox's Great War
by Sharon McKay
Toronto: Penguin Group, 2003

Set in 1919 after the war, this historical novel sees Charlie at home in Newfoundland. In this sequel to Charlie Wilcox, the author movingly relates Charlie's experiences as a volunteer in 'the war to end all wars' and those of his countrymen.

An Earthly Knight
by Janet McNaughton
Toronto: HarperCollins, 2003

It is 1162 and Jenny's much-loved older sister Isabel, a "true Norman lady", has brought disgrace on herself and her family by running away with a landless knight. No matter that the knight had deceived her that she barely escaped with her life most people believe "the woman is always to blame for leading a man astray." As well, she, her dowry, and the two horses she took all belonged to her father. By running away she was stealing from him. Surprisingly, Jenny (Lady Jeanette Avenal), although only half-Norman, may be able to help her sister and her father by marrying Prince William, the heir to the throne of Scotland. For her family's sake Jenny wants this marriage, but what of her feelings for Tam Lin, the "Earthly Knight"? She has come to love this quiet, gentle young man who, it is rumoured, was captured many years ago by the fairies.

On Wings of a Dragon
by Cora Taylor
Markham: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2003

In this fantasy novel, a kingdom has been taken over by an evil Queen with the good King ill and kept away from his people. Kour'el wakes up in a cell with no memory of how she got there. With all the young women taken from their homes and sent to the castle to work, Maighdlin's grandfather follows to try and rescue her as he knows her true identity. As Kour'el's memory gradually returns, she remembers she was sent on a mission with the great dragon of Api'Naga to help Maighdlin, the true Queen.

Run
by Eric Walters
Toronto: Penguin Group, 2003

Winston is on the run and suspended from school. In an attempt to get some space, his mother sends him to stay with his father who is a well known newspaper reporter going out on special assignment to cover the story of Terry Fox and Doug Alward. Through befriending Terry and Doug and following Terry's progress across Canada, Winston learns a lot about himself in the process.

Review 2003 Selections...