Governor General Award for English Language Children's Literature

or for a list of winners:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_General%27s_Award_for_English_language_children%27s_literature

Description:

The Governor General Literary Award is an award that is given to the best French and English language books written in Canada. The awards are self-funded and each winner is given a monetary award of $25,000. The winners are chosen each year by a panel of "peers" that are other writers, literary critics, and other individuals involved in the literature field. The panel chooses the winners based according to "literary merit."

According to the GG webpage, Criteria For Eligibility:

1. All books must be at least 48 pages long, except for children's picture books which must have a minimum of 24 pages.

2. All books must have a print run of at least 350 copies.

3. All books must have an ISBN, be distributed in Canada and be available in Canadian bookstores.

4. English titles must be published and available on the market for 13 months.

5. Books may be published in Canada or abroad. Foreign publishers must provide a historical backround, a catalogue of their published titles and a list of Canadian distributors.

6. Books must be foreign or first Canadian edition trade books that have been written, translated, or illustrated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

What these books really seem to favor or have in common:

There seems to be an element of mystery or magic in every story. The authors seem to have some sort of supernatural element in their stories. It may not take center stage in the tales, but it is definately there. The magic element is never scary or unpleasant, it seems as if it helps the protagonist of the story.

Books that we read:

Awake and Dreaming by Kit Pearson

The Crazy Man by Pamela Porter

Premise:

Emaline is a young girl in the 1960's who's life has been turned upside down due to a tragic accident and the loss of her father. But she finds comfort and help in the most unexpected place.

Some of the Kinder Planets by Tim Wynne-Jones

Premise:

A collection of stories that feature science and science fiction. Each of the characters revels in their triumphs, but they are not without challenge.

Looking for X by Deborah Ellis

Airborne by Kenneth Oppel

Pick-up Sticks by Sarah Ellis

Ghost Train by Paul Yee

The Maestro by Tim Wynne-Jones