The Lane Anderson Awards for Excellence in Canadian Science Writing were presented last night during an intimate dinner at Yorkville’s Sassafraz Restaurant.
There were four finalists in each of the categories – adult books, and books for young readers.
The winner in the Books for Young Readers category was Cybele Young for The Queen’s Shadow; a story about how animals see, published by Kids Can Press. Judges commented : “blends light-hearted mystery with well-researched science….the kind of science book that begs to be re-read….”
Ms. Young lives in Toronto, ON.
Runners up in this category were:
Footprints: the story of what we eat by Paula Ayer, published by Annick Press.
Judges commented: “A book that both educates teen readers and empowers them to make their own choices…”
Paula Ayer lives in Vancouver, B.C.
Head Lice by Elise Gravel, published by Tundra Books
Judges commented: “…fosters a love of science books while providing the tools to understand – and deal with- a creepy creature readers may encounter personally.”
Elise Gravel lives in Montreal, PQ..
What’s the Buzz? Keeping bees in flight by Merrie-Ellen Wilcox, published by Orca Books
Judges commented: “By blending her personal experience of bees with current scientific understanding, The author adds humour, authority and conviction that individuals really can make a difference…”
Merrie-Ellen Wilcox lives in Victoria, B.C.
The winner in the Adult category was Alanna Mitchell for Malignant Metaphor: confronting cancer myths, published by ECW Press. Judges commented: “Combining societal and behavioural trends with highly personal interaction with a close relative’s situation (the author) has shone a whole new light on our obsessive fear of, and reaction to this dreaded disease.”
Alanna Mitchell lives in Toronto,ON.
Runners-up in this category were:
Once They Were Hats: in search of the mighty beaver by Frances Backhouse, published by ECW Press.
Judges commented: “ Immensely engaging bio-history of the beaver in North America. Well researched from multiple perspectives…”
Frances Backhouse lives in Victoria, B.C.
Dam Builders: the natural history of beavers and their ponds by Michael Runtz, published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside. Judges commented: “A beautiful pictorial science of the beaver…the pictures are truly incredible.”
Michael Runtz lives in Kingston, ON
Slick Water fracking and one insider’s stand against the world’s most powerful industry by Andrew Nikiforuk, published by Greystone Books and the David Suzuki Institute.
Judges commented: “Remarkable biography interwoven with the science and environmental impact of extraction of fossil fuels…incredibly well-researched..I finished it angry.”
Andrew Nikiforuk lives in Calgary, AB
All Lane Anderson finalists received plaques of appreciation.
Cybele Young and Alanna Mitchell each received a check for $10,000.
The Lane Anderson Award is administered by Christopher Alan of Gowlings in Toronto.