TIFA Presents: GGBooks Young People’s Literature Finalists
May 28

Celebrate the Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks) with six free, virtual events featuring the finalists of the 2020 Young People’s Literature Award categories. Check out the readings and panels below!
All the events will be available for everyone to watch for three days, and ten days for TIFA Friend donors, after their scheduled broadcast.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
TIFA Kids! Reading: The King of Jam Sandwiches with Eric Walters (Text Category) – 3pm ET
Celebrate and explore some of today’s best Canadian authors and illustrators in children’s literature! Join us for a family-friendly reading from The King of Jam Sandwiches by author Eric Walters, as part of TIFA’s exclusive event series spotlighting the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature categories. The GGBooks Literary Awards winners will be announced on June 1. Recommended for ages 9–12.
TIFA Kids! Reading: Weekend Dad with Naseem Hrab (Illustrated Category) – 4pm ET
Celebrate and explore some of today’s best Canadian authors and illustrators in children’s literature! Tune in for a family-friendly reading from Weekend Dad by Naseem Hrab, as part of TIFA’s exclusive event series spotlighting the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature categories. The GGBooks Literary Awards winners will be announced on June 1. Recommended for ages 4–7.
What Makes a Family?: Building Community in Books for Young People – 5pm ET
Join us to hear from a selection of the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature Awards, as they come together for a conversation in anticipation of the winners announcement on June 1. Polly Horvath (Pine Island Home), Sara Cassidy (Nevers) and Naseem Hrab (Weekend Dad) will join CBC Books’ Ryan B. Patrick for a live discussion on how their nominated books help young people explore new definitions of family and community.
Friday, May 28, 2021
TIFA Kids! Reading: The Barren Grounds with David A Robertson (Text Category) – 3pm ET
Celebrate and explore some of today’s best Canadian authors and illustrators in children’s literature! Tune in for a glimpse into this epic fantasy adventure! Award-winning author David A. Robertson will give a family-friendly reading from The Barren Grounds as part of TIFA’s exclusive series spotlighting the finalists for the GGBooks Young People’s Literature categories. The 2020 GGBooks Literary Awards winners will be announced on June 1. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
TIFA Kids! Reading: The Barnabus Project with The Fan Brothers (Illustrated Category) – 4pm ET
International bestsellers The Fan Brothers will give a family-friendly reading from The Barnabus Project as part of TIFA’s exclusive event series spotlighting the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature categories. The GGBooks Literary Awards winners will be announced on June 1. Recommended for ages 5–9.
Finding Their Way: Courage, Perseverance and the Search for Identity in Books for Young People – 5pm ET
Join us to hear from a selection of the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature Awards, as they come together for a conversation in anticipation of the winners announcement on June 1. Colleen Nelson (Harvey Holds His Own), Jordan Scott (I Talk Like a River) and Rebecca Thomas (Swift Fox All Along) will join CBC Books’ Ryan B. Patrick for a live discussion on how their protagonists demonstrate courage, perseverance and openness to new experiences as they discover who they are and how they belong.
These events are organized in collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts to celebrate the Governor General’s Literary Awards.
What's On
Toronto Lit Up: Butterflies in the Trenches by Curtis Carmichael
March 30 at 7:00pm
TIFA Virtual Book Club – Winter Season
April 05 – May 31
TIFA Presents – Between Good & Evil: Mellissa Fung in Conversation with Louise Penny
April 17 at 7:00pm
MOTIVE Festival
June 02 – June 04
TIFA @ Harbourfront Centre Camps: Senior Authors
July 04 – July 14
TIFA @ Harbourfront Centre Camps: Young Authors
July 31 – September 01
By The Lake Book Club Featuring Cody Caetano
September 12 at 7:00pm
44th Edition of the Toronto International Festival of Authors
September 21 – October 01