The finalists for the 2025 CCBC Book Awards have been announced. The awards recognize exceptional books for young people. Winners will be announced on October 27. Here are the shortlisted titles:

Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award

Hummingbird / Aamo-binashee by Jennifer Leason (available in US)

I Wonder about Worlds: Discovering Planets and Exoplanets by James Gladstone, illustrated by Yaara Eshet (available in US)

Mighty Scared: The Amazing Ways Animals Defend Themselves by Erin Silver, illustrated by Hayden Maynard (available in US)

A Song for the Paper Children by Christopher Tse

Two Pieces of Chocolate by Kathy Kacer, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (available in US)

Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy

Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution by S. K. Ali (available in US)

The Headmasters by Mark Morton (available in US)

Lockjaw by Matteo L. Cerilli (available in US)

Waking the Dead and Other Fun Activities by Casey Lyall (available in US)

Where the Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek (available in US)

Jean Little First Novel Award

Alterations by Ray Xu (available in US)

Maya Plays the Part by Calyssa Erb (available in US)

Teddy vs. the Fuzzy Doom: Secrets of Ravensbarrow by Braden Hallett (available in US)

Amy Mathers Teen Book Award

Age 16 by Rosena Fung (available in US)

And Then There Was Us by Kern Carter (available in US)

A Constellation of Minor Bears by Jen Ferguson (available in US)

Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution by S.K. Ali (available in US)

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga (available in US)

The Lightning Cycle by Vikki VanSickle, illustrated by Laura K. Watson

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People

Age 16 by Rosena Fung (available in US)

Eyes on the Ice by Anna Rosner (available in US)

The Go-Between by Jennifer Maruno (available in US)

Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams by Shari Green (available in US)

Wings to Soar by Tina Athaide (available in US)

Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction

All Consuming: Shop Smarter for the Planet by Erin Silver, illustrated by Suharu Ogawa (available in US)

The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey by Chad Soon and George Chiang, illustrated by Amy Qi (available in US)

Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival by Trina Rathgeber, illustrated by Alina Pete, colors by Jillian Dolan (available in US)

Meet Jim Egan by Elizabeth MacLeod and Mike Deas

You Can Be an Activist: How to Use Your Strengths & Passions to Make a Difference by Charlene Rocha and Mary Beth Leatherdale, illustrated by Drew Shannon (available in US)

Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award

A Face Is a Poem by Julie Morstad (available in US)

I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf by Danielle Daniel, illustrated by Matt James (available in US)

It Bears Repeating by Tanya Tagaq and Cee Pootoogook (available in US)

Mad at Dad by Janie Hao (available in US)

SOS Water by Yayo (available in US)