City author Marsha Skrypuch's latest novel is getting plenty of acclaim, including a recent nod from the Canadian Library Association.
Skrypuch found out this week that the book, Stolen Child, is on the short list for the association's children's book of the year award.
The award recognizes a Canadian author of an outstanding book published in Canada in 2010 that appeals to children up to age 12.
The shortlisted books were chosen from among 156 titles.
"The 10 books shortlisted are all wonderful novels and I am honoured to have my novel included in such stellar company," said Skrypuch on Thursday while vacationing in Utah.
The author said the nomination is the third piece of good news she had received in as many days.
Stolen Child, which tells the story of a young girl who was kidnapped by the Nazis, also has been shortlisted for the Diamond Willow Award in Saskatchewan, and named a best book of 2010 by Resource Links, a national journal that reviews resources for children and young adults.
In February, the book, published by Scholastic Canada, was designated a "best bet," one of the top 10 juvenile novels of 2010, by the Ontario Library Association.
It also has been shortlisted for the 2011 Ontario Golden Oak Award, which will be decided in June.
The Stolen Child tells the tale of 12-year-old Nadia, who emigrates with her parents to Brantford. Nadia is a Lebensborn girl -a child who was kidnapped for her blond, blue-eyed Aryan looks by the Nazis in their frenzy to build a master race.
"Stolen Child is set in the Second World War and is historical fiction, but it is about a piece of history that few people know about," said Skrypuch. "I structured it as a thriller. What I've heard from readers is that they cannot put it down. That's the highest compliment a writer can receive."
Stolen Child is the author's 14th book. She has received a slew of awards and honours, including making the short list for the Canadian Library Association children's book of the year Award in 2007 for her novel, Aram's Choice.
Skrypuch says she is now in full writing mode, hunkered down on her tread desk -a desktop on a treadmill -that allows her to simultaneously walk and write.
She is working on two books. One is a companion novel to Stolen Child, called Making Bombs for Hitler, scheduled to be published by Scholastic in the spring of 2012.
"The other I'll keep under wraps for the time being," she said.
.jpg){kind=logo}
