Massive congrats to Eric Walters, Kathy Kacer, Michael Betcherman and Kass Reich, who have been shortlisted for this year’s Willow Awards! The Willow Awards are held each year by the Sasketchewan Young Readers’ Choice Awards to promote reading and celebrate Canadian literature. Each year, Saskatchewan children and youth vote for Willow Award recipients from finalists nominated in three award categories divided by age group.
Sergeant Billy: The True Story of the Goat Who Went to War by Mireille Messier and illustrated by Kass Reich is a finalist for the Shining Willow Award. Sergeant Billy was published by Tundra Books and and tells the true story of a goat who saved the lives of three soldiers during World War One. Kass is represented by Fiona Kenshole.
Broken Strings by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer is a finalist for the Snow Willow Award. Broken Strings was published by Puffin and is about a young girl playing the mother in Fiddler on the Roof in the aftermath of 9/11. Eric and Kathy are represented by Amy Tompkins.
The Justice Project by Michael Betcherman is also a finalist for the Snow Willow Award. The Justice Project was published by Orca Book Publishers and is about a former high school football star who gets an internship for a program that defends the wrongly convicted. Michael is represented by Amy Tompkins.
To see the full list of honorees, please visit: https://willowawards.ca/announcing-the-new-2020-willow-award-finalists/