Register your 2019-20 Group (Download the PDF)
The Latest News from Hackmatack
Award ceremony 2019. Photo: Snickerdoodle Photography
Reading has Begun!
We have 170 registered reading groups for our 2019-20 program year, across all four Atlantic provinces. Our voting deadline is April 15, and we can’t wait to see who wins our 2020 awards!
2020 Award Ceremony
This year’s ceremony is set to take place at the Riverview Arts Centre in New Brunswick on Friday, May 29. We plan to live stream it again for anyone who can’t attend in person.
Registration Deadline Extended
Our deadline for 2019-20 has been extended to October 15 for general registration.
New this year: Hackmatack is coordinating book purchases for Nova Scotia schools that register for the program through a grant from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Since our funds are limited, we’re giving Nova Scotia schools that participated in the program in 2018-19 priority registration: that deadline has been extended to September 30, 2019.
2018-2019 Winners Announced
The readers have spoken! Click here to find out who were the winners of the 2019 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award.
Click here to see photos from the ceremony.
If you missed the 2019 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award Ceremony, it’s available for viewing here. Enjoy!
2019-2020 Hackmatack Shortlists!
The selection committees have made their choices for the shortlists for the 2019-20 Hackmatack Awards. Congratulations to all the nominees! Check them out here:
Call for Volunteer Board Members
We’re expanding our volunteer board! We are looking for individuals:
- with enthusiasm for literacy and a love of children’s books;
- who are able to share their passion and great ideas at the three board meetings that take place each year (in September, December, and March) either in person or by telephone or Skype;
- who are willing to assist with the annual awards ceremony in late May;
- who have skills they are willing to contribute to the program (eg., writing grant applications, spearheading fundraising initiatives, handling the society’s bookkeeping)
Please send a brief letter of interest to hackmatack@hackmatack.ca including your name and contact information and what interests you about being a member of the Hackmatack board.
** We welcome interested parties to self-identify in any way they feel comfortable as well as including any insight into pertinent work / volunteer experience.
Remembering Sharon Palermo
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Hackmatack Board member Sharon Palermo passed away on March 5 after a brief illness.
She was a dedicated educator and children’s author who was passionate about books and reading.
Sharon proposed the idea of a “tree award” for the Atlantic region, putting in motion what would become the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award.
She devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy to the Hackmatack program. Her board work included a seat on the promotions committee, and she generously hosted meetings in her home. Through her tireless support she shared her love of reading with children across Nova Scotia and throughout Atlantic Canada.
We continue to be indebted to Sharon and her commitment to Hackmatack. It was a pleasure to work with her. She will be sadly missed.
Sharon’s obituary is available online at Arbor Memorial. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award and Society.