Scorpion Rules wins the Monica Hughes!

GUYS MY BOOK DID THE THING!

To narrow that down a little.... Last night was THE big night for kids' lit in Canada tomorrow: The TDs! Swanky party, $140K in prizes, and the chance to see what kids book people look like when all dressed up. I spent it the evening trying not to nibble off my nail polish, as THE SCORPION RULES was shortlisted in both the categories for which it was eligible: The Amy Mathers award for teen novels, and the Monica Hughes award for science fiction and fantasy.

And it WON, guys. It took the Monica Hughes -- which makes me the first two-time winner of the award. (It's five years old.) I'm so thrilled! I read the whole list this year and it was amazing. In fact, I went up to the stage with EK Johnston's speech in my pocket, because Kate -- a good friend -- was in Miami, touring with another book. I was more ready to give her speech than mine.

But I gave mine.

LOOK!

Huge congratulations to the other winners, including Susan Juby for teen fiction, Kevin Sands for mystery, Karen Bass for historical fiction, Danielle Daniel for picture book, and the amazing Melanie Florence-Hanna, who took the big prize for her Missing Nimâmâ.

Edited to add: Behold the jury citation!

After reading The Scorpion Rules, those who are familiar with Bow’s previous work will be in awe of her consistent ability to create rich worlds populated by fully realized characters. Those reading her for the first time are in for a literary treat and are sure to make it a rule to never miss one of her novels again… Bow deftly propels the story toward a hopeful and poignant culmination… Searingly intelligent, note-perfect in tone and mood, and consistently provocative, The Scorpion Rules is powerful, deeply insightful science fiction… The quality of writing is nothing short of masterful.”