Through the generosity of IODE member, the late Mrs. Violet Downey, IODE established The National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award in 1984. The first award was presented in 1985. This Award is offered annually for the best English language book containing at least 500 words of text (preferably with Canadian content) in a category suitable for children age 13 and under. Members and specialists made up the panel of judges, including IODE members and specialists in the field of children’s literature, annually select the award-winning book.
| List of books distributed in Canada in 2023 that have been been selected for the IODE Violet Downey Recommended Reading List (not ranked). |
Six Canadian Books on the 2024 Short List
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A Bucket of Stars Written by Suri Rosen Published by Scholastic Canada Ltd. A story of two kids trying to save the world they know and heal the families they have. It’s the summer of 2003 and thirteen year-old amateur astronomer Noah Cooper has just moved to Queensport, a small town with a vast sky full of stars. There he meets Tara Dhillon, a lonely girl and aspiring filmmaker. |
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A Green Velvet Secret Written by Vicki Grant Published by Penguin Random House It's always hard to lose a friend, but for Yardley O'Hanlon it's devastating. Her best friend is her wild and wonderful grandmother Gidge. They're two fashionable peas in a quirky little pod. They spend all their time together sewing and crafting and creating beautiful things — until Gidge dies, and Yardley loses her for good. Or does she? |
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Game Face Written by Shari Green Published by Groundwood Books Thirteen-year-old Jonah is determined to prove that anxiety won't stop him from succeeding as his hockey team's goalie in this dynamic novel in verse. It takes courage to ask for help, but Jonah starts to realize that his team goes beyond the people who lace up their skates with him every week, and maybe it’s okay to look for support on and off the ice. |
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Out of the Dark Written by Julie Lawson Published by Nimbus Publishing When Jane Mooney’s older brother Connor lies about his age and enlists in the Great War at age fifteen, she can’t imagine ever being more devastated. But on December 6, 1917, when two ships collide in Halifax Harbour, the resulting explosion proves her wrong. The further complication arises when The Great Influenza Pandemic reaches Halifax’s vulnerable shores. |
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Stazy and the Magic List Written by Nancy Hundal Published by Rebel Mountain Press Stazy can't believe her lousy luck...parents separated, new school, new (tiny!) house. 4 girls, each with their own unique special needs, skills and powers, work together to complete the magic list and in the process learn many life lessons! |
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Swept Away Written by Natalie Hyde Published by Cormorant Books Inc. A frog-shaped garden sprinkler, a mismatched pair of ladies’ gloves, and an ugly flower picture made of human hair do not add up to murder. Or do they? Eleven-year-old Ruth’s friend and neighbor, Bea, has just died — an accidental drowning. Or so they say. Ruth’s not so sure. |
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