Established in 1985,the National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award of $3,000 is given to the best English-language book published in the previous calendar year by a Canadian and published in Canada. The work must contain at least 500 words of text, be suitable for children aged 13 and under and may be in any category, with the exception of fairy tales, anthologies and adaptations. The winner will be chosen by a six-member panel of judges, which includes two recognized specialists in the field of children’s literature. The award may be divided between two people. The prize is generally announced in May.

2009

Winner: Before Green Gables - Budge Wilson Age 12+

Runners-Up
Afrika, by Colleen Craig. Colleen Craig Age 12+
Death in the Air Shane Peacock Age 12+
Leaving Fletchville Rene Schmidt Age 8+
Star Climber Kenneth Oppel Age 12+
Voyageur Eric Walters Age 8+
War Brothers Sharon McKay Age 12+

2008 Winner- Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock, Tundra Books

2008 Other Shortlisted

Schooled by Gordon Korman, Scholastic

Elijah of Buxtonby Christopher Curtis, Scholastic

Darkwing by Kenneth Oppel, Harper Collins

Rex Zero, King of Nothing by Tim Wynne-Jones, Groundwood

   
2007 Eric Walters Shattered. Toronto: Viking Canada, 2006.
2006 Rachna Gilmore The Sower of Tales. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2005.
2005 Anne Dublin Bobbie Rosenfeld: The Olympian Who Could Do Everything. Toronto: Second Story Press, 2004
2004 Sarah Ellis The Several Lives of Orphan Jack. Illustrations by Bruno St-Aubin. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2003.
2003 Karen Levine Hana’s Suitcase. Toronto: Second Story Press, 2002.
2002 Brian Doyle Mary Ann Alice. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2001.
2001 Sharon McKay Charlie Wilcox. Toronto: Stoddart Kids, 2000.
2000 Katherine Holubitsky Alone at Ninety Foot. Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 1999.
1999 Gayle Friesen Janey's Girl. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1998.
1998 Celia Barker Lottridge Wings to Fly. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 1997.
1997 Janet McNaughton To Dance at the Palais Royale. St. John’s: Tuckamore Books, 1996.
1996 Jean Little His Banner Over Me. Toronto: Penguin Books Canada, 1995.
1995 Sarah Ellis Out of the Blue. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 1994.
1994 Kit Pearson The Lights Go On Again. Toronto: Viking Kestrel, 1993.
1993 Julie Johnston Hero of Lesser Causes. Toronto: Lester Publishing, 1992.
1992 Sheryl McFarlane Waiting for the Whales. Illustrated by Ron Lightburn. Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 1991.
1991 Michael Bedard Redwork. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1990.
1991 Barbara Smucker Incredible Jumbo. Markham, ON: Viking, 1990.
1990 Paul Yee Tales From Gold Mountain. Illustrated by Simon Ng. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 1989.
1988 Donn Kushner A Book Dragon. Toronto: Macmillan of Canada, 1987.
1987 Janet Lunn Shadow in Hawthorn Bay. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1986.
1986 Marianne Brandis The Quarter Pie Window. Erin, ON: The Porcupine's Quill, 1985.
1985 Mary Ellen Lang-Collura Winners. Saskatoon: Western Producer Prairie Books, 1984.