The winners of the 2025 Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Awards (MYRCA) were announced on April 25 at the Gas Station Arts Centre Theatre in Winnipeg. Manitoba’s young readers have the opportunity to vote for their favourite Canadian book in two categories—the MYRCA Sundogs for Grades 4-6 and the MYRCA Northern Lights for Grades 7-9. The winners and honour book are listed below.
MYRCA Sundogs (Grades 4-6)
The Bellwoods Game, written and illustrated by Celia Krampien (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
HONOUR BOOK
The Cricket War, written by Thọ Phạm and Sandra McTavish (Kids Can Press)
MYRCA Northern Lights (Grades 7-9)
The Secret of the Ravens, written and illustrated by Joanna Cacao (Clarion Books)
HONOUR BOOK
Flight Plan, written by Eric Walters (Orca Book Publishers)
During the ceremony, the MYRCA committee unveiled the 2026 nominees.
2026 MYRCA Sundog nominees
Coop for Keeps, written by Larry Verstraete (Yellow Dog)
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, written by Mary Averling (Razorbill)
The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage, written by David A. Roberson (HighWater Press)
Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival, written by Trina Rathgeber, illustrated by Alina Pete, coloured by Jillian Dolan (Orca Book Publishers)
Maya Plays the Part, written by Calyssa Erb (Annick Press)
Misadventures in Ghost Hunting, written by Melissa Yue (HarperCollins Publishers)
Mortified, written by Kristy Jackson, illustrated by Rhael McGregor (HarperCollins Publishers)
Noah Frye Gets Crushed, written by Maggie Horne (HarperCollins Publishers)
Reasons to Look at the Night Sky, written by Danielle Daniel (Tundra Books)
Waking the Dead and other Fun Activities, written by Casey Lyall (Greenwillow Books)
2026 MYRCA Northern Lights nominees
Cave-In, written by Pam Withers (Yellow Dog)
If We Tell You, written by Nicola Dahlin (Kids Can Press)
Is There a Boy Like Me?, written by Kern Carter (Scholastic Canada)
Little Moons, written by Jen Storm, illustrated by Ryan Howe, colourted by Alice RL (HighWater Press)
The Shape of Lost Things, written by Sarah Everett (HarperCollins Publishers)
Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams, written by Shari Green (Andrews McMeel Publishing)
Tig, written by Heather Smith (Tundra Books)
The Time Keeper, written by Meagan Mahoney (DCB Young Readers)
The Unfinished, written by Cheryl Isaacs (Heartdrum)
Why We Play with Fire, written by Giselle Vriesen (100 Block Futures)
For more information, visit myrca.ca.