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Award-winning Books in French
LA PALME LIVROMAGIE DE L’IMPRIMERIE GAGNÉ
This work explores the theme of originality through the adventures of a girl who wants to set herself apart from the other students in her class with her hairstyle - a different one every day. But the next day, all the other students have copied her style. A few days later, they persist in doing so, so she screams furiously that she’s going to have her head shaved the next day. But will she really? LA PALME LIVROMAGIE DE L’IMPRIMERIE GAGNÉ (COMMUNICATION-JEUNESSE)
The debate is the same, regardless of the sport: are today’s athletes as gifted as yesterday’s? The reader is immersed in this debate when the great Maurice "Rocket" Richard meets a mysterious cab driver who has supernatural powers. A team of veterans, including Jean Beliveau and Stan Mikita, is going to hit the ice. The author has given his story an interesting ending by reminding us that adults can sometimes awaken the child within. He also takes a critical look at the commercial aspect of sports and demonstrates how sports ought to be a source of pleasure as well. The author’s simple and eloquent style enlivens the action. LA PALME LIVROMAGIE DE L’IMPRIMERIE GAGNÉ (COMMUNICATION-JEUNESSE)
Maxime is seeking true love, but although she is only 15, her search is reserved and attentive to her needs. Not like her best friend Joëlle, who goes out with one boy after another out of fear of missing the boat. When taking part in a musical competition with her friends, Maxime attracts the favourable attention of a boy who interests her, without denying who she is. This story is written by a young person for young people and printed by young people: young characters, no adults, no restraints; anecdotes and emotions, love in its pure state. PRIX ALVINE-BÉLISLE
One day, a sweet, but bored little bear cub in the heart of the forest has a fascinating encounter. He surreptitiously observes a little girl wearing glasses, a cap and a short skirt. Soon, however, she drives off with her parents in a car. Fortunately, he hears her name, which is Juliette. From that time on, he dreams of only one thing: having a Juliette! He sets off in search of her, finding a friend along the way, and finally realizing his dream. Jasmine Dubé has written a very attractive, gentle tale, which is complemented by Leanne Franson’s beautiful, sensitive illustrations. PRIX 12/17 (BRIVE/MONTRÉAL) THIS PRIZE WAS NOT AWARDED THIS YEAR. PRIX CÉCILE-GAGNON
Suzie thinks she is a teenager like all the rest, until the day when she discovers the truth about her past. She was adopted when she was younger. This secret, buried in the memory of time, shatters her life. She decides to look for her parents. This will be the adventure of her life, an existential voyage combining a quest for her origins and her own identity. Richard Blaimert has written a very fine book for teenagers, in a lively style that echoes the life of young people today. PRIX DU LIVRE M. CHRISTIE (CHRISTIE BROWN & CO.)
Parents who read this book will recognize, with a smile, their feeling of responsibility when choosing a caregiver. Through the text and ever-growing images, children will learn about the criteria parents use in selecting the rare gem who has all the talents required to make their children happy. Like the parents in the story, Victor and Marilou, you will see that choosing a caregiver for Étienne is no easy task. But after reading the book, you will find yourself smiling again, and will understand that hope must never be lost: there is a fairy godmother for parents. PRIX DU LIVRE M. CHRISTIE (CHRISTIE BROWN & CO.)
What do you do when you’re so shy that you hide from everything? What can you say when your cheeks turn red when somebody speaks to you? Whether it’s at school or at home, Gilou talks about his shyness and, at the same time, tells us how he succeeded in finding a "real" friend: his red fish. Written with a good sense of decency and tenderness towards this little boy, Gilles Tibo gives us an autobiography which will certainly delight the very shy, and the very young. The author succeeds marvelously in describing Gilou’s uncertainties using simply drawn characters. The back and white illustrations are intensified by the use of the colour red, giving depth to the emotions of the main character. PRIX DU LIVRE M. CHRISTIE (CHRISTIE BROWN & CO.)
In the 13th century, Pope Innocent III launches a vast crusade in Languedoc, France to convert the "heretical" Cathars to Catholicisim. A young horseman, by the name of Guillaume de Montmorency, is part of the expedition. Believing that he will find honour and glory in this holy crusade, he discovers, on the contrary, the massacres and atrocities of war. Shaken by so many horrors committed by his own, he discovers, through his meeting Jenne, daughter of a Cathar, other feelings that will change his destiny forever. More than a simple adventure novel taking place in the middle ages, Jean-Michel Schembré gives us a very beautiful book that deals with a timeless theme, intolerance. PRIX LITTÉRAIRE DE GOUVERNEUR GÉNÉRAL - LITTÉRATURE DE JEUNESSE (CONSEIL DES ARTS DU CANADA)
The source of universal love provides human beings with a subject which lends itself to a number of forms of expression. The author’s collection of short stories takes into account the light and shady sides of love: seduction, compassion, tenderness, hate, crazy love, betrayal, grief, happiness and friendship. The writing is rich, but contemporary. We also feel the author’s need to share her attachment to poetry, music and art. What a great idea to offer young people this collection of short stories on love! PRIX LITTÉRAIRE DE GOUVERNEUR GÉNÉRAL - LITTÉRATURE DE JEUNESSE (CONSEIL DES ARTS DU CANADA)
Monsieur Ilétaitunefois appears each time a storyteller says his name. Exhausted by his appearances, the villagers imprison him. But they miss the same old story, and boredom wins over. Monsieur Ilétaitunefois is finally released, but.... The full-page illustrations in contrasting warm and cold colours attract the reader’s attention. PRIX LITTÉRAIRE LE DROIT - CATÉGORIE JEUNESSE (ASSOCIATION DES AUTEURES ET AUTEURS DE L'ONTARIO FRANÇAIS ET DE L’OUTAOUAIS QUÉBÉCOIS)
Jean-Louis Grosmaire, already a two-time winner of the Prix littéraire Le Droit and himself a world traveller, invites us to follow him in his new adventure novel, Paris-Hanoï. Travelling in Vietnam, "le Loup", a young fourteen-year-old Parisian, discovers a strange message hidden inside a lighter, which belonged to an American GI. This event marks the beginning of a facinating adventure, in which "le Loup"and his friend Chuang decide to look for the missing soldier. It is followed by a journey across Vietnam by our two heros, which allows us to discover a country, its culture, and most of all, the still visible traces of war. Here is a very beautiful book, in which emerge contemplations which bear the mark of humanism. PRIX QUÉBEC/WALLONIE-BRUXELLES DU LIVRE DE LA JEUNESSE
Although linked by firm friendship, Léonard and Julio never see each other for very long. One day, when they have decided to spend their first evening together, Léonard, whose parents have to go out for a few hours, invites Julio home. As soon as he arrives, things get out of hand: everything conspires to spoil the planned evening. Does this have anything to do with the fact that Julio is a vampire? Humour, emotions and surprises combine! This thrilling story is based on the friendship between two boys that will prove stronger than the nastiness of a "bully" at school, a sleeping neighbour and incredulous parents.   
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Indicates a humorous book.
