The Jean Little First-Novel Award is a Canadian literary award, administered by the Canadian Children's Book Centre, to recognize a Canadian author's first middle-grade novel.
Named in honour of the late Jean Little, the award was established by fellow children's authors and Little's friends, Sarah Ellis, Kit Pearson, and Maggie de Vries, who is also Little's niece. The award carries a monetary prize of $5,000. Jean Little (1932–2020) was an award-winning Canadian writer of more than 50 books for young readers.
The award is one of several presented by the Canadian Children's Book Centre each year; others include the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction, the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award.
Honourees +Award winners and finalistsYearAuthorTitlePublisherResult2021No VacancyGroundwood BooksWinner Journal of a Travelling Girl Wandering Fox Finalist My Name is Konisola Second Story Press2022Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand SummerDCB Young ReadersWinnerLiving with ViolaAnnick Press Finalist Thanks a Lot, Universe Amulet Books2023Weird Rules to FollowOrca Book PublishersWinnerThe Grave ThiefPuffin Canada Finalist How to Be a GoldfishScholastic CanadaScout Is Not a Band KidOrca Book PublishersThe Wolf SuitAnnick Press2024 and Sandra MacTavishThe Cricket WarKids Can PressWinnerWhere the Water Takes UsCandlewick PressFinalistThe Secret of the RavensClarion BooksBee Bakshi and the Gingerbread SistersHarperCollins and Mike DeasThe Boy Who Woke the SunRed Deer Press2025Alterations Union Square KidsWinnerMaya Plays the PartAnnick PressFinalistTeddy vs. the Fuzzy Doom: Secrets of RavensbarrowAnnick Press
References
External links Jean Little First-Novel Award