Pajama Press

Pajama Press congratulates Deborah Ellis, whose 2014 novel Moon at Nine has been shortlisted for the 2015 Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award.

Based closely on real events, Moon at Nine recounts the story of two teenaged girls who fell in love in 1980s Tehran. The moving novel has already been selected for the Amelia Bloomer Project List and as a Quill & Quire book of the year, an Ontario Library Association Best Bet, and a Best Books for Kids & Teens starred selection.

The CLA Young Adult Book Award is sponsored by TD Bank Group and Library Services Centre each year for a work of fiction that appeals to young adults between the ages of 13 and 18. The winner and honour books will be announced during the week of April 20^th. The award will be presented during the CLA National Conference and Trade Show in Ottawa on June 4^th.

Visit the Moon at Nine page to download a classroom discussion guide, find resources about Deborah Ellis, watch the official book trailer, or read full reviews.

Pajama Press is thrilled to announce that Graffiti Knight by Karen Bass has won the 2014 Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year Award.

Graffiti Knight is a historical novel set in Soviet-controlled East Germany two years after the end of World War II. Wilm, the 16-year-old protagonist, is struggling to find his voice in a time and place where keeping your head down and doing as you’re told seems to be the only way to survive.

In a press release today, the CLA said,

“Graffiti Knight will capture you from the opening line, taking you on a journey into the world of post-war trauma, seeing life through Wilm’s eyes…The story is based on the actual events, it provides moments of suspense, hope, and nerve wracking action for the reader. As the story unfolds, Wilm gains confidence, courage, determination and maturity, all characteristics that take him from one adventure/escape to another.

This fast paced novel is realistic and readers can easily relate to the protagonist despite the difference in time and place. Bass’ extensive research adds depth to the story, allowing the reader to feel as if they are back in East Germany watching the plot play out, instead of reading the words in a book. Graffiti Knight will attract both male and female young adults, and adults too. The end result of that reading will not disappoint.”

The Award will be presented on May 29th at the CLA 2014 National Conference and Trade Show in Victoria, British Columbia.

We offer our heartiest congratulations to Karen Bass for this prestigious accomplishment.

Pajama Press is proud to announce that three of our titles have been shortlisted for the 2014 Canadian Library Association Awards.

The Stowaways by Meghan Marentette, with illustrations by Dean Griffiths, has been shortlisted for the Book of the Year for Children Award. Graffiti Knight by Karen Bass and Nix Minus One by Jill MacLean have both been shortlisted for the Young Adult Book Award.

We congratulate our three nominated authors and look forward to hearing the award results the week of April 14th.