2025 Forest of Reading Winners Announced: Canadian Students Choose Their Favourite Books

From May 13 to 15, 2025, Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre was alive with the buzz of excited students, educators, and families as the Forest of Reading Festival returned for another unforgettable year. Hosted by the Ontario Library Association (OLA), this is Canada’s largest literary event for young readers, attracting over 6,000 participants. Across three fun-filled days, attendees met beloved authors and illustrators, took part in engaging workshops, enjoyed book signings, and honoured their favourite Canadian books in a big wayAfter celebrating all year through our Hooked on Books series, Teachers on Call’s online and in-home tutoring service had the privilege of attending and joining the excitement at the 'Rock Concert of Reading.' We even had the chance to meet several of the authors and illustrators we’ve been interviewing throughout the year. Check out our blog for the full list of Forest of Reading winners and our very own Festival photo album!

At Teachers on Call, our in-person and online tutoring team is proud to support the Forest of Reading and the Festival, where Canadian creators are celebrated like rock stars. We believe in its mission to foster a love of reading by empowering children and teens to choose what they read and to vote for their favourite titles. It’s a fantastic way to promote literacy and critical thinking, while helping students see themselves in the books they read. Whether you're an educator or a parent, we highly recommend embracing this program to help inspire the next generation of book lovers. While the Festival may be over, the reading celebration doesn’t have to end — this list offers great inspiration for end-of-year or summer reading adventures.

What Is the Forest of Reading?

The Forest of Reading is Canada’s largest recreational reading program, designed to promote a love of reading across all age groups. Managed by the Ontario Library Association, the initiative offers ten reading award programs in both English and French, tailored to various grade levels from kindergarten through high school. The Forest of Reading includes ten recreational reading programs distinguished by age group and reading level, each with ten nominated titles. The English school-aged programs are Blue Spruce, Silver Birch Express, Silver Birch Fiction, Yellow Cedar, Red Maple, and White Pine. French literature is celebrated through the Peuplier, Mélèze, and Tamarac programs. The adult program, Evergreen, celebrates excellence in Canadian literature. There are 100 nominated titles with ten books in each program. Since October, almost 145,000 children have read nominated books, which include Canadian fiction and non-fiction books by English and French-language authors. Find out more about what goes on behind the scenes in our interview with Program Director, Meredith Tutching.

Canada’s Biggest Celebration of Young Readers

Each year, young readers across the country dive into nominated books by Canadian authors and illustrators, then vote for their favourites. The results are revealed each spring at the much-anticipated Forest of Reading Festival in downtown Toronto at the Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8), with digital award ceremonies also available to make the experience accessible to everyone, coast to coast. Over 118,000 kids voted this year across 9 programs. The 2025 festival featured over 20 author and illustrator workshops, more than 20 live performances, and a bustling exhibitor area with books, games, and interactive experiences. Students get the opportunity to meet their favourite authors in person at book signings—like Vancouver, British Columbia's Johnnie Christmas, creator of the graphic novel Gamerville, and debut Indigenous author Kristy Jackson, based near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, whose powerful first novel is Mortified. Read our Hooked on Books interview with Kristy here. One of the additional highlights for students? Every student attendee had the opportunity to select  a free book from a giant white tent thanks to the support of Canadian publishers and First Book Canada. 

Join the Celebration from Anywhere With Digital Ceremonies

The Forest of Reading Digital Award Ceremonies provide an inclusive and accessible way for readers across Canada to join in the excitement of the annual literary celebration. Released on May 15, 2025, these free digital ceremonies showcase the winners of the English-language programs, allowing students, educators, and book enthusiasts to participate virtually. The French-language ceremonies were made available on May 16, 2025, ensuring that all participants can celebrate the achievements of Canadian authors and illustrators. These ceremonies are included with registration and are accessible online, making it easy for everyone to be part of this national reading event. Watch the ceremonies online, now!

2025 Forest of Reading Award Winners

The complete list of 6 English language winners is here:

• Blue Spruce Award
  Lost Stick by Anoosha Syed
  (Viking Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House)
• Silver Birch Express Award
  Lost & Found: Based on a True Story by Mei Yu
  (Union Square Kids/Hachette Book Group)

• Silver Birch Fiction Award
  The Legendary Mo Seto 01 by A. Y. Chan
  (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster)
• Yellow Cedar Award
  Haunted Canada Graphic Novel 01: Four Terrifying Tales by Joel A. Sutherland
  (Scholastic Canada)
• Red Maple Award
  40 Days in Hicksville by Christina Kilbourne
  (DCB Young Readers/Cormorant Books)
• White Pine Award
  The Space Between Here & Now by Sarah Suk
  (Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins Canada)

These award-winning titles represent the creativity, diversity, and storytelling power of Canadian literature and highlight voices that resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

2025 Blue Spruce Award™ Winner for JK-Grade 2 picture books

Lost Stick - Written and Illustrated by Anoosha Syed, Published by PRHC Viking Books

Lost Stick is a delightful twist on a lost pet story, following a lovable pup named Milo who goes on a globe-trotting adventure to find the stick he believes is his best friend Louise’s favorite treasure. As Milo searches far and wide—confusing countless sticks for the one—he discovers that home, and being with Louise, is what truly matters. Young readers connected with Milo’s funny and heartfelt journey, voting Lost Stick as a favorite in the Forest of Reading award program.

About Author and Illustrator Anoosha Syed

Anoosha Syed is an award-winning author, illustrator, and character designer with a unique international perspective. According to Anoosha, she grew up in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai. “As the perpetual ‘new kid’—I went to seven different schools!—I found comfort in books, but I never saw myself in them,” she shared. Born in Pakistan and currently based in Dallas, Texas, Anoosha Syed also has Canadian connections to both downtown Toronto, and Milton, Ontario where she previously lived. Anoosha earned her BFA in Illustration from Ceruleum: Ecole d'arts Visuels in Switzerland in 2015, and has since worked as a character designer for popular preschool series with studios like Disney, Nickelodeon, and Netflix, including work on a live-action preschool series. With over forty illustrated children's books to her name, Anoosha is also associated with titles like That's Not My Name! and The Salt Princess. She currently lives in Dallas, Texas, United States.

Dive into our exclusive interview with Anoosha Syed to discover the inspiration, creative process, and behind-the-scenes stories that brought Lost Stick to life.

2025 Silver Birch Express Award® Winner for Grades 3-4, fiction, non-fiction

Lost and Found: Based on a True Story - Written and Illustrated by Mei Yu, Published by Union Square Kids

Lost & Found is a heartwarming early reader graphic novel about Mei Yu, a young girl who moves from China to Canada and faces the challenges of starting over in a new school—and a new language. Based on debut author and illustrator Yu’s own immigration story, the book gently explores the emotions of being the “new kid” while celebrating resilience, creativity, and friendship. Young readers connected deeply with Mei Yu’s journey, voting Lost & Found the 2025 Silver Birch Express Award® Winner

About the author Mei Yu

Mei Yu is a multi-talented artist, author, and popular YouTuber based in Vancouver, Canada, known for her vibrant art tutorials, original characters, and engaging storytelling. Her graphic novel Lost & Found, inspired by her own immigration journey, resonated with young readers across Canada and was selected as the 2025 Silver Birch Express Award.

2025 Silver Birch Fiction Award® Winner for Grades 5-6, fiction

The Legendary Mo Seto - Written by A.Y. Chan, Published by Aladdin

The Legendary Mo Seto is an action-packed and heartfelt novel about twelve-year-old Mo, a determined taekwondo fighter who must overcome self-doubt, a fierce rival, and a mysterious sabotage plot to rescue her dad and prove her strength—no matter her size. Blending martial arts, family legacy, and adventure, Mo’s journey is both empowering and unforgettable. Young readers were captivated by her courage and spirit, voting The Legendary Mo Seto the winner of the 2025 Silver Birch Fiction Award.

About A.Y. Chan

A.Y. Chan is a Canadian author who grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, where she fell in love with middle grade and young adult books, her favorite genres to this day. A black belt in taekwondo, she has also trained in Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai, bringing authentic martial arts experience to her writing. The 2025 Silver Birch Fiction Award winner, The Legendary Mo Seto, reflects her passion for action, adventure, and empowering young readers.

2025 Yellow Cedar Award Winner for Grades 5-8, non-fiction

Haunted Canada Graphic Novel 01: Four Terrifying Tales - Written by Joel A. Sutherland

Illustrated by Hannah Barrett, David Bishop, Matt Salisbury, and Jenn Woodall, Published by Scholastic Canada Ltd.

Haunted Canada Graphic Novel 01: Four Terrifying Tales brings the spine-tingling stories of Joel A. Sutherland’s beloved Haunted Canada series to life in graphic novel form for the first time. With eerie illustrations by David Bishop, Hannah Barrett, Jenn Woodall, and Matt Salisbury, this collection of ghostly tales—from haunted crossroads to sinister dolls—is perfect for horror fans and thrill-seeking readers. Young readers across the country were hooked by the scares and voted it the winner of the 2025 Yellow Cedar Award.

About Joel A. Sutherland

Joel A. Sutherland, originally from Oakville, Ontario, is the award-winning author of the bestselling Haunted Canada series and several acclaimed middle-grade horror novels. Now living in Clarington, he balances his work as a librarian with writing chilling tales that spark young readers’ imaginations and keep them turning pages long into the night. Check out our exclusive interview with Joel A. Sutherland.

2025 Red Maple Award™ Winner for Grades 7-8, fiction

40 Days in Hicksville - Written by Christina Kilbourne, Published by DCB Young Readers/Cormorant Books

40 Days in Hicksville is a gripping mystery about a city girl named Kate who, stuck in a small town she calls “Hicksville,” stumbles onto a decades-old secret buried deep on her grandfather’s property. As she teams up with her neighbour Zach to solve a chilling cold case, Kate uncovers dark family truths that change everything she thought she knew. Young readers were hooked by the suspense and voted 40 Days in Hicksville the winner of the 2025 Red Maple Award.

About Christina Kilbourne

Christina Kilbourne is an award-winning Canadian author who grew up in Southwestern Ontario and Muskoka, a resort area north of Toronto. She holds an Honours BA in English Literature and Anthropology from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, and a Master's degree in Creative Writing and English Literature from the University of Windsor. Christina's diverse experiences, from traveling the world to working in various writing and design roles, inform her powerful storytelling.

2025 White Pine Award™ Winner for Grades 9-12, fiction

The Space Between Here & Now - Written by Sarah Suk, Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins Canada

The Space Between Here & Now is a powerful and emotionally rich novel about Aimee Roh, a teen with a rare condition that causes her to time travel through scent-triggered memories. When a forgotten moment with her estranged mother pulls her back for nine mysterious hours, Aimee embarks on a journey to Korea to uncover long-buried truths and reclaim her story. Readers were deeply moved by this haunting exploration of memory, identity, and grief, voting it the winner of the 2025 White Pine Award.

About Sarah Suk

Sarah Suk is a Korean Canadian author based in Vancouver, British Columbia, known for crafting heartfelt and thought-provoking stories for young readers. In addition to her award-winning novel The Space Between Here & Now, she has written Made in Korea, Meet Me at Blue Hour, and co-authored the middle-grade novel Troublemaker with actor John Cho. When she’s not writing, Sarah enjoys capturing moments on film, spending time by the water, and treating herself to a bowl of bingsu.

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As we reflect on another incredible year at the Forest of Reading Festival, we’re already looking forward to what’s next. Whether in the classroom, at home, or at future festivals, the Forest of Reading continues to cultivate a love of books, learning, and literacy in children and teens across the country. 

The Forest of Reading isn’t just about reading books—it’s about creating confident, curious, and engaged readers. The program gives children and teens a sense of ownership in their reading journey, offering opportunities to connect directly with creators and celebrate literacy as a community. The festival may have come and gone, but it’s not too late to dive in! Whether the young reader in your life enjoys mystery, comedy, science and technology, or a bit of whimsy, there is something for everyone. Don’t miss our exclusive interviews with many of the 2025 Forest of Reading nominees and winners in our Hooked on Books series.