The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) has announced the winners of its 2023 English language awards, and a Vancouver author has taken home three of the seven accolades.

Kim Spencer’s Weird Rules to Follow, about a young Indigenous girl named Mia who begins to understand the complexities of race and culture and identity, won a total of $60,000 over three prizes. Included in her loot is the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award of $50,000, which is the largest cash prize in Canadian children’s literature.

In addition, Victoria-based Carey Newman of The Witness Blanket: Truth, Art and Reconciliation took home the $10,000 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non‐Fiction.

Here is the full list of winners from across Canada:

• TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award ($50,000): Weird Rules to Follow, written by Kim Spencer (Orca Book Publishers)
• Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award ($20,000): Mina, written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe (Simon & Schuster Canada)
• Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non‐Fiction ($10,000): The Witness Blanket: Truth, Art and Reconciliation, written by Carey Newman and Kirstie Hudson (Orca Book Publishers)
• Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People ($5,000): Weird Rules to Follow, written by Kim Spencer (Orca Book Publishers) 
• Amy Mathers Teen Book Award ($5,000): As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow, written by Zoulfa Katouh (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
• Jean Little First-Novel Award ($5,000): Weird Rules to Follow, written by Kim Spencer (Orca Book Publishers)
• Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy ($5,000): Blood Scion, written by Deborah Falaye (HarperTeen)

The winners of the sister French awards will be announced on November 6.

“Access to high-quality Canadian children’s books has never been more important,” says Urve Tamberg, president of the CCBC’s board of directors, in a statement. “We’re proud to showcase how this year’s titles introduce young readers to new places and perspectives.”