2026-27 Hackmatack Shortlists
📚 View the French shortlists.
⬇️ Download the English shortlists.
* Diverse author or illustrator
† Atlantic author, illustrator, or publisher
English Fiction
Black Boy Black Boy †*
by Angela Bowden,
illustrated by Ibeabuchi Ananaba
Nimbus Publishing, 2025
9781774713617 $24.95 (hc, 36 pages)
School age picture book
Butter Tart Island †
by Hope Dalvay
Acorn Press, 2025
9781773661742 $17.95 (pb, 320 pages)
Middle grade novel
The City of Lost Cats
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Tundra, 2025
9781774882122 $12.99 (pb, 276 pages)
Middle grade novel
Death by Whoopee Cushion †
by Vicki Grant
Tundra, 2025
9781774884683 $17.99 (pb 250 pages)
Middle grade novel
No Purchase Necessary *
by Maria Marianayagam
HarperCollins Canada, 2025
9781443472616 $17.99 (pb, 237 pages)
One Beaded Earring *
by Pat Lamondin Skene,
illustrated by Natalie Laurin
Orca Book Publisher, 2025
9781459841598 $8.95 (pb, 89 pages)
First chapter book
Queenie Jean is in Trouble Again
by Christine Read
Heritage House, 2025
9781772034790 $14.95 (pb, 210 pages)
Middle grade novel
Ra! Ta! Ma! Cue! *
by Howie Shia
Annick Press, 2025
9781773219905 $24.99 (pb, 72 pages)
School-age picture book
A Storm Unleashed
by Carol Matas
Scholastic Canada, 2025
9781039701779 $12.99 (pb, 236 pages)
Touching Grass *
by Kristy Jackson, illustrated by Rhael McGregor
HarperCollins Canada, 2025
9781443472234 $21.99 (hc, 319 pages)
Burst Your Bubble!
by Joyce Grant, illustrated by Jan Dolby
Owlkids, 2025
9781771477123 $22.99 (hc, 48 pages)
The Buzz on Wild Bees
by Kira Vermond, Illustrated by June Steube
OwlKids, 2025
9781771476171 $22.95 (hc, 40 pages)
Cracking the Code: The Human Quest to Uncover Secrets
by Rachel Kehoe, illustrated by Meegan Lim
Orca Book Publisher, 2025
9781459839595 $29.95 (hc, 96 pages)
Feeling Your Feelings: The Head-to-Toe Science of Emotions
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Phil Nicholls
Kids Can Press, 2025
9781525311277 $19.99 (hc, 48 pages)
I Am Wind
by Rachel Poliquin, illustrated by Rachel Wada
Tundra, 2025
9780735272187 $26.99 (hc, 80 pages)
Meet Fredrick Banting
by Elizabeth Macleod, illustrated by Mike Deas
Scholastic Canada, 2025
9781039707856 $18.99 (hc, 32 pages)
Octopus Ocean
by Mark Leiren-Young
Orca Book Publisher, 2025
9781459838956 $24.95 (hc, 104 pages)
Plant Attack! : The Fascinating Ways Flora
Defends Itself
by Erin Silver, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
Orca Book Publisher, 2025
9781459837973 $21.95 (hc, 32 pages)
Star Sailor: The Story of Words
by Sara Cassidy, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
Orca Book Publishers, 2025
9781459836631 $21.95 (hc, 40 pages)
The True Story of Vanilla
by Ann Richards, illustrated by Arden Taylor
Orca Book Publisher, 2025
9781459838444 $24.95 (hc, 104 pages)