Jean Little First-Novel Award

Established in 2021, the Jean Little First-Novel Award is intended to recognize the achievements of a first-time Canadian children’s middle-grade novelist. For the purposes of this award, “middles grades” are defined as typically grades 3-7/ages 8-12. The annual award is a cash prize of $5,000.

After the beloved Jean Little died in April 2020, Sarah Ellis, Kit Pearson and Maggie de Vries came up with the idea of establishing an award in Jean’s name.

“We decided that the most appropriate honour would be a prize for a Canadian middle-grade novel by a first-time writer. Much of Jean’s writing was for the middle grades, and Jean was always an enthusiastic supporter of beginning writers. This award would honour her long and successful career and encourage the next generation of writers following in her footsteps.”

To contribute to the Jean Little First-Novel Award fund, click here.

Submissions will open in January 2026.

Past Winners and Finalists

  • Alterations
    Alterations
    Written and illustrated by Ray Xu
    Union Square Kids, 2024
    Winner
  • Maya Plays the Part
    Maya Plays the Part
    Written by Calyssa Erb
    Annick Press, 2024
    Finalist
  • Teddy vs. the Fuzzy Doom
    Teddy vs. the Fuzzy Doom
    Written and illustrated by Braden Hallett
    Annick Press, 2024
    Finalist
  • Cricket War, The
    2024
    Cricket War, The
    Written by Thọ Phạm and Sandra McTavish
    Kids Can Press
    Winner
  • Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters
    2024
    Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters
    Written by Emi Pinto
    HarperCollins Publishers
    Finalist
  • The Boy Who Woke the Sun
    2024
    The Boy Who Woke the Sun
    Written by A.T. Woodley - Illustrated by Mike Deas
    Red Deer Press
    Finalist
  • The Secret of the Ravens
    2024
    The Secret of the Ravens
    Written and illustrated by Joanna Cacao
    Clarion Books
    Finalist
  • Where the Water Takes Us
    2024
    Where the Water Takes Us
    Written and illustrated by Alan Barillaro
    Candlewick Press
    Finalist
  • Weird Rules to Follow
    2023
    Weird Rules to Follow
    Written by Kim Spencer
    Orca Book Publishers, 2022
    Winner
  • The Grave Thief
    2023
    The Grave Thief
    Written by Dee Hahn
    Puffin Canada, 2022
    Finalist
  • How to Be a Goldfish
    2023
    How to Be a Goldfish
    Written by Jane Baird Warren
    Scholastic Canada, 2022
    Finalist
  • Scout Is Not a Band Kid
    2023
    Scout Is Not a Band Kid
    Written and illustrated by Jade Armstrong
    RH Graphic, 2022
    Finalist
  • The Wolf Suit
    2023
    The Wolf Suit
    Written and illustrated by Sid Sharp
    Annick Press, 2022
    Finalist
  • Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer
    2022
    Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer
    Written by Leslie Gentile
    DCB Young Readers, 2021
    Winner
  • Living with Viola
    2022
    Living with Viola
    Written and illustrated by Rosena Fung
    Annick Press, 2021
    Finalist
  • Thanks a Lot, Universe
    2022
    Thanks a Lot, Universe
    Written by Chad Lucas
    Amulet Books, 2021
    Finalist
  • No Vacancy
    2021
    No Vacancy
    Written by Tziporah Cohen
    Groundwood Books, 2020
    Winner
  • Journal of a Travelling Girl
    2021
    Journal of a Travelling Girl
    Written by Nadine Neema - Illustrated by Archie Beaverho
    Wandering Fox Books, 2020
    Finalist
  • My Name is Konisola
    2021
    My Name is Konisola
    Written by Alisa Siegel
    Second Story Press, 2020
    Finalist