Students Benefit from Provincial Support for Literary Program

More young Nova Scotian readers will be inspired to read thanks to provincial support for a regional reading program that will put many exciting, new books into every elementary school library.

The Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award gives young students the opportunity to read from a selection of outstanding Canadian and Atlantic Canadian books, and then vote for the books they like best.

This year students will be able to read from a selection 40 books nominated in the categories of fiction and non-fiction, in both English and French.

"We are proud to support a program that fosters a love of reading, promotes literacy and celebrates Atlantic Canadian writers," said Human Resources Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, on behalf of Education Minister Karen Casey.

The Hackmatack program, the country's only bilingual children's book award, is designed for readers in grades 4 to 6. Students in registered reading groups read books short listed by the Hackmatack Selection Committee and will vote this spring for the winning authors in each category.

"Over the past nine years, thousands of Nova Scotian children have been exposed to hundreds of great Canadian books through the Hackmatack program," said Kate Watson, Hackmatack co-ordinator. "We're really excited that the Department of Education has made the program accessible to even more elementary school readers."

Ms. Bolivar-Getson delivered books to Hebbville Academy, a long-time participant in the awards program, today, Nov. 19.

The short-listed books this year include Nova Scotia authors, Budge Wilson and Jessica Scott Kerrin.

"Hackmatack is a great experience. The books are so much fun to read and I learned a lot, too," said Hebbville student Delainey Hipwell, who read 12 Hackmatack titles as a Grade 6 student last year.

The Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award has been in existence in some Nova Scotia school and public libraries since 1998, but this is the first year the Department of Education has officially made the program available in all its elementary schools.

The program includes author reading tours in early to mid-May, followed by an awards ceremony in late May, this year in Moncton.