ME AND BANKSY by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, THE KING OF JAM SANDWICHES by Eric Walters, MAURICE AND HIS DICTIONARY by Cary Fagan and illustrated by Enzo Lord Mariano, and IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME by Ted Staunton and Will Staunton have all been nominated for the 2022 Rocky Mountain Book Awards! Each year Alberta teachers, librarians, parents, and students select exemplary Canadian literature for students to read in grades 4-7. After reading, the students will vote on their favorite books and the winners will be announced in spring of 2023.
About ME AND BANKSY (Puffin Books):
Dominica’s private school is covered in cameras, and someone is hacking into them and posting embarrassing moments for the whole school to see. Like Ana picking her nose. When Dominica quickly changes her shirt from inside out in what she thinks is the privacy of a quiet corner in the library, she’s shocked — and embarrassed — to discover a video has captured this and is currently circulating amongst her schoolmates. So mortifying, especially since over the past three years, they’ve had a half-dozen school talks about social media safety.
Who has access to the school security cameras and why are they doing this? Dominica and her best friends, Holden and Saanvi, are determined to find out, and in the process start an art-based student campaign against cameras in the classroom.
Tanya Lloyd Kyi writes both fiction and nonfiction on topics related to science, pop culture, social history — or a combination of the three. Her recent books include Under Pressure, Prince of Pot, and Mya’s Strategy to Save the World. Tanya lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her family.
About THE KING OF JAM SANDWICHES (Orca):
Robbie, 13, is the King of Jam Sandwiches. With a mentally ill father at home, Robbie knows how to take care of himself. When his father is not waking him up at all hours of the night or disappearing for days at a time, Robbie spends his time preparing meals, doing laundry and going to school, not to mention his part-time job. Robbie knows he deserves much better but feels he can’t do anything to change his situation, that is, until he meets Harmony.
Harmony is the fast-talking, tough as nails new kid in school, and it’s up to Robbie to show her the ropes. Not surprisingly, their first encounter ends horribly, with Robbie getting punched in the face. But despite their differences, Robbie and Harmony have a lot in common, including each having a dysfunctional parent, and once they realize this, they become inseparable.
But then one day, Robbie’s father disappears again, and Harmony’s mother runs away from rehab. On a mission to find her mother, Harmony displays the courage that Robbie so craves, and Harmony’s example kickstarts Robbie’s own quest to seek a better life.
Eric Walters is a Member of the Order of Canada and the author of over 115 books that have collectively won more than 100 awards, including the Governor General’s Award for THE KING OF JAM SANDWICHES. A former teacher, he began writing as a way to get his fifth-grade students interested in reading and writing. Walters is a tireless presenter, speaking to over 100,000 students each year in schools across the country. He has won the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Fiction Award three times and the Association’s Red Maple Award four times, a Christopher Award and an Africana Book Award. He was recently nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. In addition, he cofounded Creation of Hope, a children’s program that provides services to orphans in rural Kenya. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Eric Walters now lives in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife, Anita.
About MAURICE AND HIS DICTIONARY (Owlkids Books):
Based on author Cary Fagan’s own family history, this graphic novel follows a young Jewish boy, Maurice, and his family’s harrowing journey as they flee their home in Belgium during the Second World War. They travel by train to Paris, through Spain to Portugal, and finally across the ocean to Jamaica, where they settle in an internment camp. All the while, Maurice is intent on continuing his education and growing up to be a lawyer. He overcomes obstacles to find a professor to study with, works toward a high school diploma while in the camp, and is ultimately accepted to university in Canada. His English dictionary becomes a beloved tool and beacon of hope through the danger and turmoil of the family’s migration. Moments of lightness and humor balance the darkness in this powerful story of one refugee family’s courage and resilience, and of the dictionary that came to represent their freedom.
Cary Fagan is an award-winning author for children and adults. In 2014 Cary was awarded the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work. Cary was born and raised in Toronto, where he lives with his family.
About IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME (Scholastic):
Where else but Canada would you find a town that turns its main street into a giant tubing run? Or witness a Mission Impossible-style heist where a thief drops down through the ceiling and makes off with over $120,000 worth of hockey sticks? Not to mention the slippery — or was that sticky? — bandits who stole 20,000 liters of maple syrup. In an engaging, hilarious and always fascinating exploration of geography, history, wildlife, science, culture, food, art — and giant roadside attractions — this is Canada at its most jaw-droppingly unusual and innovative.
Ted Staunton is the award-winning author of over forty books for young people, including What Blows Up in The Almost Epic Squad series, Bounced, the picture book Friends for Real, illustrated by Ruth Ohi, and the co-author of the non-fiction title It Seemed Like a Good Idea . . . : Canadian Feats, Facts and Flubs, with his son, Will. A busy and popular presenter at schools across Canada, Ted also teaches writing at George Brown College in Toronto, and is a roots/blues musician in whatever time is left over. Visit him online at www.tedstauntonbooks.com.
Will Staunton spends a huge amount of time driving back and forth across Canada playing music with his rock/bluegrass band, Union Duke. When he’s at home in Toronto, he teaches a whole bunch of instruments and frets over the headlines with his wife.
Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Eric Walters, Cary Fagan, Ted Staunton and Will Staunton are represented by Amy Tompkins.
To see the full list of nominees, please visit: https://rmba.info/category/nominees/2022/