We are proud to announce that our long-time member, Jacqueline Guest, was named a Member of the Order of Canada on December 30, 2016. Her work has advanced diversity in children’s literature, promoted Indigenous culture, and made excellent contributions to youth literacy, and we are thrilled to see these achievements recognized.
Jacqueline is a Bragg Creek author of young adult and middle grade fiction. She has published 19 books that have won numerous awards, including the Canadian Children’s Book Center – Our Choice Award, of which she is an eight-time recipient. Jacqueline is also the recipient of the Indspire Award for the Arts (formerly the National Aboriginal Achievement Award), which is the most prestigious career achievement award given within the Indigenous community.
Jacqueline’s books include historical fiction for young adults, sports novels for middle grade readers, and fast-paced action novels for Hi/Lo readers. They are notable for featuring protagonists from diverse backgrounds, including First Nations, Inuit, and Metis. One of her most well-known works is Belle of Batoche, a historical novel featuring an 11-year-old Metis girl caught in the battle of Batoche during the Riel Rebellion. Honours for Belle of Batoche include the Edmonton Public Schools Best of the Best Award, the Canadian Children’s Book Center – Our Choice Award, and the Ontario Library Association Best Bet, and it was also a finalist for the Red Cedar Book Awards.
Jacqueline has also given presentations in schools for over 20 years, offering presentations on history and culture, writing skills, novel studies and reading comprehension to students of all ages. In addition, she has offered presentations and workshops for adults on writing, literacy, and diversity. Jacqueline has contributed to Writers’ Guild of Alberta programs, serving as an instructor for our youth programs and as a rural writer in residence.
Jacqueline herself is thrilled with this honour, and says she is “heartened that children’s writers are being acknowledged for our contributions to encouraging Canada’s youth to be the very best they can be.” Since writing can be a solitary and lonely profession, Jacqueline appreciates that “this award shines a spotlight on all writers and their contributions, but I am especially happy that a children’s author will be in Ottawa.” Jacqueline will be formally inducted into the Order of Canada later this year by the Governor General of Canada, his Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
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