The Manitoba Book Awards gala was held in Winnipeg on Sunday, April 25, 2010, at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain. The ceremony was hosted by Neil Besner, Vice President and former Dean of Arts of the University of Winnipeg. The well-attended event was presented by the Manitoba Writers’ Guild with support from the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers. The awards honour the best writing and publishing talent across a diverse number of categories. The winners in the McNally Robinson Book of the Year for Young People, younger and older categories, are listed below.

McNally Robinson Book of the Year for Young People Award (Younger Category)

Timmerman Was Here
Written by Colleen Sydor
Illustrated by Nicolas Debon
Published by Tundra Books

McNally Robinson Book of the Year for Young People Award (Older Category)

Puppet
Written by Eva Wiseman
Published by Tundra Books

Since the event’s inception in 1989, during which a single award (the McNally Robinson Book Award) was presented, The Manitoba Book Awards (formerly the Manitoba Writing and Publishing Awards) has grown to feature 13 categories. Nominees and winners are selected by jurors drawn from across Manitoba and Canada.

The Manitoba Writers’ Guild formed in 1981 to promote writing throughout Manitoba, and remains committed to providing personal and professional support to writers at any level in their careers, and enhancing the province’s literary community.

The Association of Manitoba Book Publishers represents 14 Manitoban publishing houses, which publish over 100 books each year in English, French, and Cree. Many of these books are written by Manitoban authors or feature Manitoban stories.

The award administrators gratefully acknowledge the support of McNally Robinson Booksellers, Aqua Books, Friesens, the Province of Manitoba; the Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism; the Winnipeg Arts Council; the Manitoba Arts Council; the Canada Council for the Arts; The Winnipeg Foundation; and the Manitoba Foundation for the Arts.