Forest of Reading Names 90 Canadian Books for Young Readers in 2027

Ninety books by Canadian creators are in the running for the Forest of Reading’s 2027 awards, giving young readers a broad set of choices across age groups, formats and languages. The Ontario Library Association’s program has nine categories, from picture books for children beginning school to fiction for high school students, alongside three French-language awards.

Nine categories, from first picture books to teen fiction

The categories are designed around readers’ ages and reading experience, with different options for fiction, nonfiction and French-language books. That range gives schools and families a way to choose a group suited to the children taking part, whether they’re sharing picture books aloud or reading longer novels independently.

• Blue Spruce: JK–Grade 2, English-language picture books.
• Silver Birch Express: Grades 3–4, English-language fiction and nonfiction.
• Silver Birch Fiction: Grades 3–6, English-language fiction.
• Yellow Cedar: Grades 4–8, English-language nonfiction.
• Red Maple: Grades 7–8, English-language fiction.
• White Pine: Grades 9–12, English-language fiction.
• Le prix Peuplier: French-language picture books with less text and simpler subject matter, suited to read-alouds.
• Le prix Mélèze: shorter French-language chapter books of a maximum of 100 pages, or more mature picture books with larger text, illustrations, and simpler vocabulary and verb tenses.
• Le prix Tamarac: French-language chapter books from 100 to 250 pages, with smaller text, few or no illustrations, and more complex vocabulary and verb tenses.

The distinctions between categories are practical: they help match books to children’s reading levels and interests, while leaving room for different kinds of reading. A Grade 3 reader might gravitate toward the shorter selections in Silver Birch Express, while older students can explore fiction written for their grade range. The French-language categories also offer a progression from picture books and shorter texts to longer chapter books.

Young readers help choose the winners

Teachers and librarians on selection committees spent months reading books submitted by Canadian creators before assembling the nominated lists. Young readers from JK through high school can now read the selected books and choose their favourites, with winners to be determined next spring. The program’s central appeal is that children get to take part as readers, rather than simply receiving a list chosen for them.

Schools, parents and other interested participants can register through the Forest of Reading. The program welcomes young readers attending public or private schools, as well as children who are homeschooled. It also reaches beyond Ontario and Canada, according to the announcement. Registration details and the nominated titles are available on the program’s website.

For educators and families, the category structure offers a starting point for building a shared reading experience. Picture books can invite group reading and conversation; fiction and nonfiction selections provide different paths for readers developing their interests. The range also gives participants a chance to encounter Canadian creators across formats and age bands. The announcement does not list the individual books in this post, but points readers to nominee lists organized by category.

Nominee lists by category

The 90 titles are being presented in three groupings. The links below lead to the posted nominee lists for each award category:

Blue Spruce Award™
(JK–Grade 2, English-language picture books)
2027 nominees posted here

Silver Birch Express Award®
(Grades 3–4, English-language fiction and nonfiction)
2027 nominees posted here

Silver Birch Fiction Award®
(Grades 3–6, English-language fiction)
2027 nominees posted here

Yellow Cedar Award
(Grades 4–8, English-language nonfiction)
2027 nominees posted here

Red Maple Award™
(Grades 7–8, English-language fiction)
2027 nominees posted here

White Pine Award™
(Grades 9–12, English-language fiction)
2027 nominees posted here

Le prix Peuplier
(French-language picture books with less text and simpler subject matter, suited to read-alouds)
2027 nominees posted here

Le prix Mélèze
(Shorter French-language chapter books of a maximum of 100 pages, or more mature picture books with larger text, illustrations, and simpler vocabulary and verb tenses)
2027 nominees posted here

Le prix Tamarac
(French-language chapter books from 100 to 250 pages, with smaller text, few or no illustrations, and more complex vocabulary and verb tenses)
2027 nominees posted here

With the complete lists organized by category and registration open to schools, families and other readers, the next step is to find the right reading group and start exploring. The 2027 selections bring together books for a wide span of young readers; the results next spring will follow a season of reading shaped by the children themselves.