Established in 2001, the Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice (SYRCA) awards, the Willow Awards, encourage reading by nominating a variety of Canadian titles in three categories. Young readers can participate in the reading programs through their schools and public libraries, selecting their favourite from one list. The Willow Awards are truly conferred according the choices of Saskatchewan's young readers.
These nominees were announced in 2016, will be voted on in 2017, awarded in 2017 and will be called the 2016/2017 nominees by some and 2016 Willows by others. It's a little confusing.
The nominated titles for the three Willow Awards i.e., Shining Willow, Diamond Willow and Snow Willow are detailed below.
For those books written for readers in Kindergarten to Gr. 3
The 2016/2017 Shining Willow nominees are:
Clover's Luck
Written by Kallie George
Illustrated by Alexandra Bolger
HarperCollins
Dojo Daycare
Written and illustrated by Chris Tougas
Owlkids
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous BearWritten by Lindsay Mattick
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Hurry Up, Ilua!
Written and illustrated by Nola Helen Hicks
Inhabit Media
If You Happen to Have a DinosaurWritten by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Colin Jack
Tundra
InvisiBill
Written by Maureen Fergus
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Tundra
Kyle Goes Alone
Written by Jan Thornhill
Illustrated by Ashley Barron
Owlkids
Today Is the Day
Written by Eric Walters
Illustrated by Engenie Fernandes
Tundra
When Santa Was a Baby Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Geneviève Godbout
Tundra
A Woodpecker's Tale
Written and illustrated by Sean Cassidy
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
For those books written for readers of Gr. 4 to 6
The 2016/2017 Diamond Willow nominees are:
Audrey (cow)
Written by Dan Bar-el
Tundra
Finding Grace
Written by Becky Citra
Second Story Press
Friend or Foe: The Whole Truth about Animals That People Love to Hate
Written by Etta Kaner
Illustrated by David Anderson
Owlkids
Frostbite Hotel
Written by Karin Adams
Lorimer
Lost in the Backyard
Written by Alison Hughes
Orca Book Publishers
Masterminds
Written by Gordon Korman
Scholastic
Rain Shadow
Written by Valerie Sherrard
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Seven Dead Pirates
Written by Linda Bailey
Tundra
Speechless
Written by Jennifer Mook-Sang
Scholastic Canada
28 Tricks for a Fearless Grade 6
Written by Catherine Austen
Lorimer
For those books written for readers in Gr. 7 to 9
The 2016/2017 Snow Willow nominees are:
The Dogs
by Allan Stratton
Scholastic Canada
by Melinda Friesen
Rebelight Publishing
Fragile Bones
by Lorna S. Nicholson
Clockwise Press
The Gospel Truth
by Caroline Pignat
Red Deer Press
Julian
by William Bell
Doubleday Canada
The Unquiet Past
by Kelley Armstrong
Orca Book Publishers
Walking Home
by Eric Walters
Doubleday Canada
We Are All Made of Molecules
by Susin Nielsen
Tundra
Young Man With Camera
by Emil Sher
Scholastic
Zomboy
by Richard Scrimger
HarperTrophy
Because these nominees were announced last year, young readers have already been reading and choosing their favourites. Winners will be announced at the Willows Gala on May 4.
