Paquette’s book in top three for Burt award

Aaron Paquette’s Lightfinder is one of three books to make the cut for this year’s Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature. Paquette’s placement in the top three will be announced on Oct. 22 at an awards ceremony hosted in partnership with the University of British Columbia. Prizes are $12,000 for first, $8,000 for second and $5,000 for third. Other contenders are Frank Christopher Busch for Grey Eyes and Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley for Skraeling. In addition, publishers of these titles will be awarded a guaranteed purchase of a minimum of 2,500 copies, which will ensure that First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth across Canada will have access to the books through their schools, libraries, as well as friendship centres. Last year’s winning titles were distributed to almost 900 locations reaching every province and territory. Lightfinder is published by Kegedonce Press. The Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature aims to provide engaging and culturally-relevant books for young people across Canada by recognizing excellence in English-language literary works for Young Adults by First Nations, Métis and Inuit authors. This is the third year for the award.