Wigham Family Literature Resources

Wigham Family Literature Resources

Literature Guides: Find Lists of Great Books!

Resources for Finding and Evaluating Literature

eBooks

Find links to all our eBook Database Subscriptions

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For Teachers

Sources for finding literature websites and professional reviews on children's and young adult literature.

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Lists and Awards: External Links

  • Governor General's Literary Awards - Celebrates literature and inspires the general public to read books by creators from Canada. They provide finalists and winners with valuable recognition from peers and readers across the country
  • Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards - A variety of awards administered by the Canadian Children's Book Centre to recognize Canadian literature and authors.

  • Marilyn Baillie Award - Given by the Canadian Children's Book Centre, this award honours excellence in Canadian picture books.
  • Caldecott Medal - One of the most prominant picture book awards, it is given annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (a division of the American Library Association) to the most distinguised American picture book for children.
  • Amelia Frances Gibbon Award - Given to an outstanding illustrator of a Canadian Children’s Book. This award is sponsored by the Library Service Centre.

  • Arlene Bardin Award - Awarded by the Canadian Children's Book Centre to honour excellence in Canadian Children's Speculative Fiction.
  • Monica Hughes Award (2012-2016) - Awarded by the Canadian Children's Book Centre to honour excellence in Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy for children and adolescents.

  • TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award (2004-2024) - Given by the Canadian Children's Book Centre to honour the most distinguished Canadian children's literature, both in English and French.
  • Michael L. Printz Award - This award honours the best book written for teens based on literary merit, and is given by the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association.
  • Newbery Award - Awarded to the most distinguished addition to American children's literature by the Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

  • Geoffrey Bilson Award - Given by the Canadian Children's Book Centre honour oustanding Canadian Historical Fiction for young readers.
  • Scott O'Dell Award - Created by Author Scott O'Dell to encourage other authors to write historical fiction. It is awarded to a meritorious book in the genre for young adults.

  • Sharon Fitzhenry Award - Awarded by the Canadian Children's Book Centre, this award honours excellence in Canadian children’s non-fiction books for Grades 4-12 (Ages 8-18).
  • Norma Fleck Award (1999-2023) - Awarded by the Canadian Children's Book Centre to the best in Canadian children's non-fiction.
  • Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 - These lists are compiled by the National Science Teaching Association and the Children's Book Council to highlight outstanding children's science trade books.
  • Robert F. Sibert Medal - Given annually to the most distinguished children’s informational book by the Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.
  • YALSA Excellence in Non Fiction for Young Adults - Awarded to honour the best in Young Adult nonfiction by the Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.
  • Orbis Pictus Awards - Recognizes excellence in nonfiction for children. It is awarded by the National Council of Teachers of English.

  • Theodor Seuss Geisel Award - Named for the man behind Dr. Seuss, this is awarded to the most distinguished in American books for early readers by the Association for Library Service to Children, a Division of the American Library Association.
  • Toon Books - Comic books for kids that are easy for them to read, and are meant to an ecourage an appreciation for books that will last.

  • Schneider Family Book Award - Awarded to children’s and young adult literature that exemplifies the disability experience. This award is administered by the American Library Association.

  • Rainbow Book List - An annual list of children’s and teens literature containing authentic and significant GLBTQ content. The list is compiled by a committee of the Rainbow Round Table, a part of the American Library Association.
  • Stonewall Book Awards - The Mike Morgan & Logan Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award is the youth focused Stonewall Award. It recognizes excellence in books relating to the LGBT experience.

  • Batchelder Award - Honours the most outstanding books that were written outside America and in a different language then translated into English. The award is given by the Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.
  • Outstanding International Books - A list of excellent international books for young people selected by the United States Board on Books for Young People.
  • Middle East Book Awards - Honours children’s and young adult literature that offer a meaningful contribution to the understanding of the Middle East. Given by the Middle East Outreach Council.
  • Notable Books for a Global Society - An annual list of 25 titles that forward understanding of cultures throughout the world. This list is compiled by the Children’s Reading and Special Interest Group of the International Literacy Association.
  • Jane Addams Children’s Book Award - Recognizes excellence in literature that encourages thought about peace, social justice, global community, and equality for all people.
  • Notable (Social Studies) Trade Books for Young People - An annual list of titles that can be used in the teaching of Social Studies for grades K-8. The selection is facilitated by the National Council for the Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council.
  • Pura Belpré Medal - Awarded to an author and illustrator whose children’s book best portrays and celebrates Latino culture. This award is co-sponsored by Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking.

  • E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards - To recognize books that are excellent to read aloud. The award is split into two categories, Picture Books, and Older Readers.

  • National Book Award -Multiple awards given under this heading, to honour excellence in literature in multiple genres. Administered by the American non-profit, the National Book Foundation.
  • Notable Children’s Books in the English/Language Arts - An annual list of 30 books of multiple genres that are considered exemplary works. Facilitated by the Children’s Literature Assembly.
  • YALSA Book Finder - Searchable database of all the titles from YALSA's many awards and lists.
  • Children's Notable Lists - Annual lists that identify the best of the best in children's books, recordings, and digital media. They are compiled by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

  • Orca Currents - Short contemporary novels that are meant to help middle school students reading under their level.
  • Orca Soundings - These short novels focused on captivating characters are meant to encourage reading in teens.
  • Orca Sports - Engaging sports stories with easy-to-read language aimed at a middle school audience.
  • Lormier Sidestreets - High energy novels meant to engage teen reluctant readers.

Wigham Family Collection: The Best in Children's Literature

This literature collection and webpage are in honour of the Wigham Family. Darol and Evelyn Wigham are highly regarded for their philanthropic work in support of education. Their daughter Patricia graduated from the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Education in 1981 with a Bachelor of Education. As a gesture of their appreciation for the quality of education she received here, the Wighams established a fund for developing a collection of the finest children's literature, to be made available to students at the University of Lethbridge.

The Curriculum Laboratory is proud to provide a home for this outstanding collection.

For information questions, general inquiries, or circulation questions, phone the Curriculum Laboratory Information Service Desk at 403-329-2288, or ask your question online.