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| Author | Philippa Dowding |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children, fiction |
| Published | 2021 |
| Publisher | DCB / Cormorant Books, Toronto |
| Publication place | Canada |
| Media type | Print (paperback), digital (eBook) |
| Pages | 216 |
| Award | Governor General’s Literary Award |
| ISBN | 9781770865983 |
Firefly is a novel written by Canadian author Philippa Dowding, and published in 2021 by DCB / Cormorant Books in Toronto, Ontario. It won the 2021 Governor General's Literary Award for Young People’s Literature - Text.
Plot
Firefly is a thirteen-year-old girl looking for a new home after police take her unstable and violent mother away. She is discovered living in the park across from her mother's home and is forced by social services to live with her Aunt Gayle, owner of the Corseted Lady Costume Shop. While Firefly adjusts to having a roof over her head, she develops post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sets out on a quest to discover her true identity.
Reception
Firefly was generally well received in Canada. The Governor General’s Literary Award Peer Assessment Committee for the 2021 English-language awards wrote "Firefly will shine for readers and resonate long after they close this quietly powerful book.” Teachers Guide at the 49th Shelf listed the novel for grades 4 to 7 in English Language Arts, and grades 6 to 8 in Social Science and Humanities.
Awards
| Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Governor General's Award for Young People’s Literature - Text | Winner | |
| 2022 | Forest of Reading Red Maple Award | Nominee | |
| IODE Violet Downey Award | Shortlist | ||
| Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award | Winner | ||
| 2023 | MYRCA Northern Lights | Shortlist | |
| Rocky Mountain Book Awards | Shortlist |
References
- ^ "Awards: Governor General's Literary Winners; Porchlight Business Book Longlist". Shelf Awareness. November 19, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- "Firefly (Young People's Literature – Text – English)". Governor General's Literary Awards. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- "49th Kids for Teachers". 49thshelf.com. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- van Koeverden, Jane (November 17, 2021). "Young people's literature — text winner: Firefly by Philippa Dowding". CBC Arts. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- Bresge, Adina (November 17, 2021). "Inuk author Norma Dunning wins $25K Governor General's fiction prize". Coast Reporter. Glacier Media Group. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
- "Red Maple Nominees – Forest of Reading". forestofreading.com. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- "2022 Violet Downey - Short List". IODE Canada. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- Wasser, Shoshana (June 22, 2022). "2022 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Awards presented to Brittany Luby, Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley and Philippa Dowding". Ontario Arts Council. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- "2023 Northern Lights Nominees". Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- "2023 Archives". Rocky Mountain Book Awards. Retrieved February 20, 2023.