Big News: Surviving Summer Camp Makes the 2026 Whistler Independent Book Awards Shortlist!
- Paul Breau
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
I woke up to some really exciting news in my inbox today!
I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that Surviving Summer Camp has officially made the 2026 Whistler Independent Book Awards Shortlist in the Children’s category!
To go from the longlist to being named one of the final six books in this category is an honor. The Whistler Independent Book Awards—sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada and established in partnership with the Whistler Writing Society—do an incredible job of uplifting independent Canadian authors, and I'm thankful to the selection committee for recognizing my latest middle grade novel.
When I wrote Surviving Summer Camp, my goal was to create a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure that would grab readers from page one—especially those reluctant readers who might need a little extra spark to fall in love with a book. Knowing that it resonated with the committee means the world to me.
Congratulations to all the Nominees!
I want to extend my congratulations to all of the shortlisted authors and illustrators. There are so many excellent writers.
Here is the official 2026 Children’s Shortlist (listed alphabetically by author surname):
Victoria Cerdeira ; Anna Pomelova (illustrator), Monster Science: Create Your Own Genetic Masterpiece
Anna McCarthy; Emma Latham (illustrator), Giraffe in a Scarf
Mary Murphy; Fiona Van Housen (illustrator), Away with the Fairies, Book Four: One Trail, Many Tales
Robin T. Nelson, Secrets of the Sea From A to Z
J. Taylor, The After
What’s Next?
All of the shortlisted books are now heading to the next round of judging by the Whistler Writing Society. The final nominees will be announced on August 5, 2026. I'll be waiting with bated breath until then, but regardless of the outcome, making it this far is already a massive win.
Thank you all so much for your continued support, your wonderful reviews, and for sharing these books with the young readers in your lives. It's wonderful to be a part of such an incredible community of readers, parents, and educators.
Stay tuned for more updates in August, and if you haven't dove into Surviving Summer Camp yet, there’s no better time than right now for a perfect summer read!
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