Susin Nielsen | |
---|---|
Born | 1964 (age 58–59) |
Occupation | Author |
Nationality | Canadian |
Notable works | The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen |
Notable awards | |
Spouse | Goran Fernlund |
Children | 1 |
Website | |
susinnielsen |
Susin Nielsen (born 1964) [1] is a Canadian author for children, adolescent and young adults. She received the 2012 Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature [2] and the 2013 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award [3] for her young adult novel The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen , which deals with the aftermath of a school shooting.
In 2019, she received won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People. [4]
Nielsen was raised in London and Chatham-Kent, Ontario. [5]
She is married to Goran Fernlund and has one child: Oskar. [1]
Nielsen began her writing career with the Degrassi franchise, writing scripts for the television shows as well as books for the series. Nielsen also played Louella Hawkins the Janitor in Degrassi Junior High. Following her work with Degrassi, Nielsen wrote for many other Canadian television series such as Heartland , What About Mimi? , and Braceface . [6] While working on these shows she produced three children's picture books: Hank and Fergus, Mormor Moves In, and The Magic Beads.
Her first independent novel, Word Nerd, deals with bullying, a theme she returns to in The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen. Her books often describe the effect of broken families on children.
Nielsen's 2015 book, We Are All Made of Molecules, about two step siblings trying to form a bond with each other, was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award.
Nielsen's books have been translated into Dutch, French, Portuguese, Italian, German and Polish (In the Polish language, not all of them have been translated). [6]
Nielsen's 2021 book, Tremendous Things, was nominated for the 2022 Ontario Library Association's Red Maple Award for Fiction.
In 2019, Nielsen was honored with the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People, which honors writers and illustrators whose body of work has been "inspirational to Canadian youth." [4] [7] [8]
Two of Nielsen's books are Junior Library Guild selections: No Fixed Address (2018) [9] and Tremendous Things (2021). [10]
In 2015, The Globe and Mail , [11] Kirkus Reviews , [12] Quill & Quire , and The Telegraph [13] included We Are All Made of Molecules on their list of the best young adult novels of the year.
Year | Title | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Word Nerd | INDIES Award for Juvenile Fiction | Silver | [14] |
2010 | Forest of Reading Red Maple Award | Winner | [15] | |
Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award | Winner | [16] | ||
Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom | INDIES Award for Juvenile Fiction | Winner | [17] | |
2011 | Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize | Finalist | [18] | |
Snow Willow Award | Winner | [19] | ||
2012 | Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award | Winner | [20] | |
Rocky Mountain Book Award | Winner | [21] | ||
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen | Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature | Winner | [2] [22] [23] | |
2013 | Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award | Winner | [3] | |
Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award | Winner | [24] | ||
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize | Finalist | [25] | ||
2014 | Forest of Reading Red Maple Award | Winner | [26] | |
2015 | We Are All Made of Molecules | Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature | Finalist | [27] |
2016 | Carnegie Medal | Longlist | [28] [29] | |
Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award | Winner | [30] | ||
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize | Finalist | |||
2018 | Optimists Die First | Carnegie Medal | Nominee | [31] |
Federation of Children's Book Groups' Children's Book Award | Finalist | [32] | ||
2019 | No Fixed Address | IODE Violet Downey Book Award | Winner | [33] |
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize | Winner | [34] [35] | ||
2020 | Carnegie Medal | Longlist | [36] | |
Forest of Reading Red Maple Award | Winner | [37] [38] | ||
Princess Puffybottom . . . and Darryl | Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award | Shortlist | [39] | |
2022 | Tremendous Things | Carnegie Medal | Nominee | [40] |
Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award | Shortlist | [41] |
The Carnegie Medal for Writing, established in 1936, is a British literary award that annually recognises one outstanding new English-language book for children or young adults. It is conferred upon the author by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), who calls it "the UK's oldest and most prestigious book award for children's writing". CILIP is currently partnered with the audio technology company Yoto in connection with the award.
The Pat Lowther Memorial Award is an annual Canadian literary award presented by the League of Canadian Poets to the year's best book of poetry by a Canadian woman. The award was established in 1980 to honour poet Pat Lowther, who was murdered by her husband in 1975. Each winner receives an honorarium of $1000.
The Gerald Lampert Memorial Award is an annual literary award presented by the League of Canadian Poets to the best volume of poetry published by a first-time poet. It is presented in honour of poetry promoter Gerald Lampert. Each winner receives an honorarium of $1000.
The Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People, colloquially called the Vicky, is given annually at the Writers' Trust Awards to a writer or illustrator whose body of work has been "inspirational to Canadian youth". It is a top honour for Canadian children's writers and Canadian children's book illustrators.
The Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young Readers is a Canadian literary award that goes to the best work of historical fiction written for youth each year. The award is named after Geoffrey Bilson, a writer of historical fiction for youth and a history professor at the University of Saskatchewan who died suddenly in 1987.
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The Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award is an annual literary award for children's picture illustrators. It was established in 1985 following the death of Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver, one of Canada's pre-eminent book illustrators. In her will, Cleaver left a fund of $10,000 for an award to be given annually in recognition of outstanding artistic talent in a Canadian picture book. The recipient receives a cheque for $1,000, and a certificate.
Norah McClintock was a Canadian writer of young adult fiction who published more than 60 books. She won five Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence.
The Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize is awarded annually as the BC Book Prize for the best juvenile or young adult novel or work of non-fiction by a resident of British Columbia or the Yukon, Canada. It was first awarded in 1987. It is supported by the B.C Library Association.
Sarah Ellis is a Canadian children's writer and librarian. She has been a librarian in Toronto and Vancouver. She has also written reviews for Quill and Quire. She taught writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a masthead reviewer for The Horn Book.
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The Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize is awarded annually as the BC Book Prize for Canadian authors and illustrator of picture books, picture story books, and illustrated non-fiction books. The prize is shared by the author and the illustrator, who must be a resident of British Columbia or Yukon. It was announced in 2002 and first awarded in 2003. A handful of finalists are also selected for another award: participation in the expenses-paid BC Book Prizes on Tour, a week-long tour across the province to present their books at schools and libraries each April.
The TD Canadian Children's Literature Award is an annual Canadian literary award, presented to the year's best work of children's literature. Sponsored by TD Bank Financial Group and the Canadian Children's Book Centre, the award carries a monetary prize of $30,000. On September 11th, 2018 it was announced that the monetary prize was increased from $30,000 to $50,000.
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen is a young adult novel by Canadian author Susin Nielsen, first published in 2012. It deals with the effects of a school shooting on the shooter's family.
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