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:
The Carved Box
by Gillian Chan
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2001
At fifteen Callum Murdoch is orphaned and must leave behind the city life that he enjoyed in Edinburgh. He is grateful that his United Empire Loyalist uncle gives him a home on a farm near Hamilton Ontario, but the drastic change in lifestyle and the back-breaking physical labour, at times appear to be more than he can bear. His only consolation is Dog, the filthy, half-starved mongrel that Callum unaccountably spends all of his savings to rescue from an abusive owner. Dog seems to be endowed with mysterious powers able to avoid a catastrophe or communicate with an enraged mother bear. Will Callum and Dog be able to forge a new life in this new land, Canada?
City of the Dead
by Sharon Stewart
Calgary: Red Deer Press, 2001
Ever think that something weird is going on? Ever think that something strange is living in your computer? Ever wonder why your telephone rings at strange times? Ever get the feeling that Stephen King may be right? City of the Dead is the book for you. City of the Dead is a collection of short stories that take a look at life from the weird side. Do you like those little chills that a good spooky story can give you? Read on and be chilled over and over again.
Firewing
by Kenneth Oppel
Toronto: Harper Collins, 2002
This is the story of Griffin, the son of Shade and Marina. Griffin must battle his way through the Underworld to try to rescue his friend and return safely to their world. For those who have read Sunwing and Silverwing it is not surprising to find that Shade also becomes involved in Griffin's heroic rescue attempt. This is another exciting adventure story from Kenneth Oppel.
Flood
by James Heneghan
Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2002
Saved from a flood in which his mother and stepfather perish, this novel follows eleven year old Andy Flynn as he struggles to create a new family with his less-than-perfect father Vinny. Weaving throughout are the Sheehogue, the mythic ‘Little People.’ Their comments and actions fill Andy's story of personal survival with humour and mischief.
Fractures
by Budge Wilson
Toronto: Penguin Books, 2002
Comprised of realistic fiction short stories, Wilson has crafted characters with whom every reader can identify. Written in a variety of styles (journal entry, present voice, older person recounting past etc.), each story is an exploration in the emotional minefield that are families: joys, sorrows, heartache and love.
The Goodfellow Chronicles:
The Sacred Seal
by J.C. Mills
Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2001
Picture this, a mouse, all of six inches tall, standing on his hind legs. Now, picture the mouse unzipping its skin and removing its head! Voilà, a man six inches tall, a man very well-dressed, very intelligent and with very good manners. This is Goodfellow and he is a Sage. Sages are little people who are assigned to the geniuses of the world to help them achieve their potential. When Goodfellow is late for his newest task he discovers the assignment has vanished without a trace. A young boy befriends our sage and decides to help him with his problem. The Sacred Seal chronicles the adventures of Goodfellow as he tries to fulfill his obligation and regain his status among the Sages.
Irish Chain
by Barbara Haworth-Attard
Toronto: Harper Collins, 2002
Life is not easy for young Rose Dunlea. She lives with her large Irish family in the Catholic north end of Halifax in 1917. Twice she has been held back at school because of her reading difficulties and still she can't seem to read the words that jumble up on the page right before her eyes. She prays that she won't have to go to school and the next day two ships explode in Halifax Harbour. Rose not only has to deal with the terrible consequences of the explosion and fire but also with the belief that the explosion is her fault.
The Irish Chain is Rose's, great grandmother's quilt that her mother always gave the children when they were in need of comfort. The memory of that quilt and her plan to one day make an Irish Chain quilt of her own help Rose in the days that follow the disaster.
Losing Forever
by Gayle Friesen
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2002
Things are not going well for Jes. Her mother is getting re-married and is totally pre-occupied with the wedding. Her best friend is "in love" and has no time for her and, her other best friend Sam, wants to be more than a friend. In the middle of all of this, her soon to be step-sister, Angela, moves into Jes' room. Angela seems to be perfect perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect everything but Angela turns out to be a perfect liar. Jes has to find a way to deal with her world turning upside down with apparently no allies to come to her aid. Being resourceful and talented Jes works to find a way.
Out of the Ashes:
A Shelby Belgarden Mystery
by Valerie Sherrard
Toronto: Boardwalk Books, 2002
Everyone assumes that Greg is Shelby's boyfriend but she's not interested. However, she becomes more curious after a series of arsons occur. Shelby suspects Greg after she learns that Greg and his father moved to her town after their home burned down. She decides to find out the truth.
Saving Jasey
by Diane Tullson
Victoria: Orca Books, 2001
Gavin's older brother and father are bullies. To escape his abusive family, Gavin spends more and more time with his best friend's family, pretending to be normal. It doesn't help when he begins to fall for his friend's older sister, Jasey. As Jasey falls into a threatening situation, Gavin will do everything he can to save her and, possibly, himself.
Review 2002 Selections... |
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