Winners Announced for the 2023 Governor General's Literary Awards

This morning, the Canada Council for the Arts announced the winners of the 2023 Governor General's Literary Awards. The awards promote literature from Canada, recognizing the best English-language and French-language books in seven categories, including two categories for young readers—Young People’s Literature – Text and Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books.

The awards carry a cash prize of $25,000, with $3,000 going to the publisher of the winning title. In addition, the finalists in each category also receive $1,000.

Young People’s Literature – Text (English-language)

The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett (Clarion Books)
 

“Seamlessly moving between the poetic and the grounded, Everett weaves a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale that lingers. By the time readers reach the emotional climax of this surprising, powerful and beautifully written novel, they’ll be inclined to return to the beginning and read it again from the perspective of someone who knows what’s coming.”

PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Cheryl Foggo, June Jur and Tom Ryan

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books (English-language)

When You Can Swim by Jack Wong (Scholastic Canada)

“A vibrant ode to swimming where joy is yours for the taking as soon as you jump in, When You Can Swim transforms fear into a rushing wave of eager anticipation. The sumptuous use of colour and texture brings water to life in an array of settings, depicting it as a central character in a wondrous celebration of the breadth of a child’s abilities. It especially reaches out to those who have historically been excluded from learning to swim.”

PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Marianne Ferrer, Lee Edward Födi and Mahak Jain

Young People’s Literature – Text (French-language)

Linoubliable by Lou Beauchesne (La courte échelle)
 

“With Linoubliable, Lou Beauchesne gives life to an irresistible character. Mimi, 14, grieves her sister, who died at birth, through letter she writes to her. In her search for truth, she shares the hazards of everyday life with emotion, humour and clarity. Linoubliable is a breathtaking work that stands out due to its poetic and bold writing.”

PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Cheyda Haramein, Jean-François Sénéchal and Danièle Simpson

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books (French-language)

Le plus petit sauveur du monde by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude (Éditions XYZ)

“A heartrending and relevant book that move us with the force of its questions, encourages parent-child conversations and reminds us of the urgent need to listen. The surreal, dreamlike illustrations sensitively reflect the seriousness of the subject matter. This ambitious work lets the light shine through with mastery and delicateness. The world’s smallest saviour has yet to come.”

PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Julien Chung and Andrée Lévesque-Sioui

For the complete list of winners in all categories, click here.