Winners Announced for the 2024 Governor General's Literary Awards

The Canada Council for the Arts has announced the winners of the 2024 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. The winners are listed below.

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

Crash Landing by Li Charmaine Anne (Annick Press)
 

“With dynamic characters and self-assured writing, Crash Landing is a beautiful and realistic portrayal of the challenges of first-generation immigrant teens. Skateboarding, video, Virginia Woolf and cultural norms provide an unexpected coming-of-age and coming-out story. Li Charmaine Anne’s writing—evocative, grounded and delicate—sticks every landing.” —PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Sarah Everett, Louisa Onomé and Ken Setterington

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

Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean E. Pendziwol and Todd Stewart (Groundwood Books)
 

“With its stunning illustrations and lyrical text, Skating Wild on an Inland Sea beautifully evokes the sights, smells, chills and joy of a day spent in the majesty of a Canadian winter. For Pendziwol and Stewart, the lake, animals and children are all equal parts of this interconnected world. Magical.”—PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Kyrsten Brooker, Shauntay Grant and Kevin Sylvester

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

Une bulle en dehors du temps by Stéfani Meunier (Leméac Éditeur)

“Despite being deemed ugly, Océane is heartrendingly incandescent. Roch, the rebel, is the only one who sees her beauty. Faced with adults who are unable to help them, these two beings choose to define themselves in nature, where they are welcomed without judgment by animals both real and imagined. Stéfani Meunier’s style is delicate and impactful throughout this perfect mastery of a novel, with its stunning and risky denouement.”—PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Mario Brassard, Christine Sioui Wawanoloath and Élise Turcotte

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

Le premier arbre de Noël by Ovila Fontaine and Charlotte Parent Front (Éditions de la Pastèque)
 

“This sensitive book lives in the heart of the boreal forest. It opens a door into an age-old understanding of the world, both functional and poetic. As constant as the river, it reads like a song and builds a bridge between Innu tradition and the New World. The story and drawings pair as successfully as the author and the illustrator do. Children and grown-ups alike will want to read this tale again and again.”—PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Clément de Gaulejac, Diane Obomsawin and Isabelle Picard

For the complete list of winners and nominees in all categories, visit ggbooks.ca.