The Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People is a Canadian literary award that goes to the best work of historical fiction written for youth each year. The award is named after Geoffrey Bilson, a writer of historical fiction for youth and a history professor at the University of Saskatchewan who died suddenly in 1987.
The Geoffrey Bilson Award is selected by a jury chosen by the Canadian Children's Book Centre. Award winners must be Canadian authors, and the winning novel must have been published in the previous calendar year. Each year's winner receives a $1000 (C$) prize.
The award is one of several presented by the Canadian Children's Book Centre each year; others include the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction and the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award."Sask., Man. writers win for children's books" . CBC, November 11, 2010.
Honourees +Geoffrey Bilson Award winners and finalistsYearAuthorTitleResult1988LisaWinnerDanger on the TracksFinalist, illustrated by Lazlo GalFinalistLamplighterFinalistSalmonberry WineFinalistTake A Giant StepFinalist1989Mystery in the Frozen LandsWinnerMoses, Me and MurderFinalistRachel's RevolutionSon of the Hounds1990WinnerBlood Red OchreFinalistJesper, illustrated by P. John BurdenMogul and MeNykola and Granny, illustrated by Simon NgTales From Gold Mountain1991WinnerDawn RiderFinalist and Louise Burchell, illustrated by Carol SargentEliza’s Best WednesdayIncredible Jumbo, illustrated by Henry Van der LindePit PonySpy in the Shadows1992Award deferred1993Ticket to CurlewWinnerJeremy's War 1812Finalist, illustrated by Ann BladesYesterday's Children1994WinnerDaniel's StoryFinalist, illustrated by Linda PottsSoldier Boys1995 WinnerFinalistEllen's SecretHis Banner Over MeNellie L.Signal Across the SeaWithin a Painted Past1996Rebellion: A Novel of Upper CanadaWinnerAmy's PromiseFinalist, illustrated by Linda HeslopTrapped by Coal1997To Dance at the Palais RoyaleWinnerAfter the WarFinalistHome ChildPromise SongShadows of a SwordThunder IceWings to Fly1998Good-Bye MarianneWinnerAcross Frozen SeasFinalistBeyond the WaterfallLiving FreightMake or Break SpringNellie's QuestPrairie Fire!War of the EaglesWish Me Luck1999WinnerFinalist, illustrated by Mary Jane GerberGreater Than AngelsJaney's Choice2000Deferred to the following year2001Charlie WilcoxWinnerFinalistIn My Enemy's HouseLove-Lies-Bleeding 2002If I Just Had Two WingsWinnerMary Ann AliceFinalist, illustrated by Denis RodierShoes for AmélieUnder a Shooting Star2003WinnerFinalistFinding SophieIrish ChainSearch of the Moon King's Daughter2004Boy O'BoyWinner, illustrated by David BlackwoodAnne and SeamusFinalistBrothers Far From Home: The World War I Diary of Eliza Bates2005Good for NothingWinnerAngelineFinalistEstherLast Chance BayPlay Ball!2006WinnerFinalistForget-Me-NotFour Steps to DeathTurned Away: The World War II Diary of Devorah Bernstein2007KanadaWinnerMeyers' RebellionFinalistTerror at Turtle MountainWhere Soldiers Lie2008Elijah of BuxtonWinnerFinalistEye of the Crow: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His First CaseRise of the Golden CobraTin Angel2009WinnerFinalistChild of DandelionsGreener Grass: The Famine Years2010Vanishing GirlWinnerBitter, SweetFinalistCrusadeHauntedWatching Jimmy2011WinnerExiles from the War: The War Guests Diary of Charlotte Mary TwissFinalistFollyQueen of HeartsWild Geese2012WinnerI’ll Be WatchingFinalistShot at Dawn: World War IThis Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein2013WinnerI Am Canada: A Call to BattleFinalistMaking Bombs for HitlerViolins of AutumnYesterday’s Dead2014Graffiti KnightWinnerBrothers at WarFinalistLittle Red LiesMe & Mr. Bell 2015Dance of the BanishedWinnerArrow Through the AxesFinalistUnderground SoldierUnspeakable2016Uncertain SoldierWinnerFinalistMad Miss Mimic , illustrated by Willow DawsonAvis Dolphin2017WinnerEvery Hidden ThingFinalistWhen Morning ComesHeart of a ChampionFreedom’s Just Another Word2018WinnerFinalistClutchStep Up to the Plate, Maria Singh2019WinnerDon't Tell the Enemy FinalistMiles to Go Piper2020Orange for the SunsetsWinnerAmong the Fallen FinalistBe My Love City on Strike Room for One More 2021WinnerBarry Squires, Full TiltFinalist and Archie Beaverho ()Journal of a Travelling GirlUnder Amelia’s Wing 2022Second ChancesWinnerDear Peter, Dear Ulla FinalistElvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer and David Namisato ()Stealing HomeTraitors Among Us2023Weird Rules to FollowWinnerHidden on the High Wire: A Holocaust Remembrance Book for Young Readers FinalistHow to Be a Goldfish 2024Bernice and the Georgian Bay GoldWinnerOut of the Dark Finalist Mall Goth and Sandra MacTavishFocus. Click. Wind.2025Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams WinnerAge 16FinalistEyes on the Ice Wings to Soar2026I Won’t Feel This Way Forever FinalistJoe and the Wreck of the TribuneSaving Wolfgang Seabird
References
External links
Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young Readers site