Best Books Selections Committees
Expert committees of educators, booksellers and school and public librarians from across Canada have handpicked the materials featured in Best Books for Kids & Teens. Committees look for excellence in writing and illustration. Most importantly, these committees focus on selecting materials that will appeal to children and young adults.
We thank these committee members for generously donating their time and expertise.
BEGINNING READERS, EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS, MIDDLE YEARS HI-LO, TEEN HI-LO
| Gail Hamilton (Chair) Teacher-Librarian (Retired) East St. Paul, MB |
Dr. Dave Jenkinson Professor Emeritus Faculty of Education University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB |
Tamara Opar Youth Services Librarian (Retired) Winnipeg, MB |
Harriet Zaidman Children's and freelance writer Teacher-Librarian (Retired) Children's Book Columnist Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg, MB |
GRAPHIC NOVELS
| Scott Robins (Chair) (he/him) Children's Services Specialist Don Mills District Branch, Toronto Public Library Toronto, ON |
Fatma Faraj (she/her) Junior School Teacher-Librarian Branksome Hall Toronto, ON |
Linda Ludke (she/her) Collections Management Librarian London Public Library London, ON |
Rebecca Roach Itinerant Resource Teacher Alternative Schools (West) Toronto District School Board Toronto, ON |
JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE FICTION #1
| Sandra Stockall EAL Tutor Subject Coordinator (Retired) Anglophone East School District Moncton, NB |
Dr. Kathleen S. Berry Professor (Retired) Critical Social Theories/Drama in Education/Literacies University of New Brunswick Sackville, NB |
Barbara Gebuhr Teacher and Principal (Retired) Anglophone East School District Canadian International School of Beijing Midway, NB |
Laura Robblee (she/her) BA in Psychology Masters in Business Administration Moncton, NB |
JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE FICTION #2
| Ashley Pamenter (Chair) (she/her) Manager, Programs Girls Guides of Canada Co-Chair, Red Maple and White Pine Steering Committees Toronto, ON |
Charlotte Big Canoe (she/they) Program Curator, Family & Studio Art Gallery of Ontario Toronto, ON |
Larysa Essex (she/her) Children's Services Coordinator Midland Public Library Member, Silver Birch Steering Committee Past Chair, OLA Mentoring Committee OLA Super Conference Planning Committee Midland, ON |
Alison Houston Librarian (Retired) Port Hope, ON |
NON-FICTION #1
| Rachel Seigel (Chair) Author Book Reviewer Sales Operations Associate Page Two Publishing Toronto, ON |
Sara Chan (she/her) Teacher Toronto District School Board Toronto, ON |
Wendy Burch Jones (she/her) Teacher-Librarian Toronto District School Board President Ontario School Library Association Toronto, ON |
Colleen Nelson |
NON-FICTION #2
| Clare Gorman (Chair) (she/her) Teacher-Librarian (Retired) Toronto, ON |
Dr. Cristina Guerrero (she/her/ella) Professor Bachelor of Child and Youth Care Program Faculty of Social and Community Services Humber Polytechnic Toronto, ON |
Rabia Khokhar (she/her) |
Dr. Christine Monson Teacher-Librarian Toronto District School Board Toronto, ON |
PICTURE BOOKS
| Kathleen Martin (Chair) Writer Halifax, NS |
Lisa Doucet (she/her) Manager Woozles Halifax, NS |
Dr. Vivian Howard (she/her) Associate Professor (Retired) School of Information Management Dalhousie University Halifax, NS |
Sandy Seth (she/her) Teacher Halifax Independent School Halifax, NS |
YOUNG ADULT FICTION #1
| Madison Cumbaa (Chair) (she/her) Teacher-Librarian Position of Responsibility (Equity) Toronto District School Board Toronto, ON |
Elizabeth Coats (she/her) Library Technician Halton Catholic District School Board Milton, ON |
Sandra Pan (she/her) Teacher Toronto District School Board Toronto, ON |
Nancy White (she/her) Teacher Toronto District School Board Toronto, ON |
YOUNG ADULT FICTION #2
| Gigi Nadeau (Chair) (she/her/elle) Librarian (Retired) Riverside School Board Saint-Hubert, QC |
Kristie Bridges Teacher Riverside School Board Saint-Hubert, QC |
Kathleen Largy-Nadeau (she/her) Coordinator, Practice Teaching Faculty of Education Bishop's University Sherbrooke, QC |
Judith Munger Librarian Eastern Townships School Board Sherbrooke, QC |