Members of the West Pictou Consolidated Hackmatack Reading Club have voted -- and their favourite book from this year's Hackmatck shortlist was Fatty Legs: a true story, by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (Annick: 2011). The non-fiction book is an autobiographical account of Margaret's experience as an Inuit girl attending a residential school. While there, she faces bullying and other hardships, but also discovers inner strength and how to stand up for herself. Fatty Legs: a true story had the most votes at West Pictou of any of this year's Hackmatack shortlisted books.
The non-fiction book which had the second-most number of votes was Case Closed?: nine mysteries unlocked by modern science, written by Susan Hughes and illustrated by Michael Wandelmaier (Kids Can Press: 2010). The book explains how scientists have used DNA and other technology to solve historic mysteries, such as missing aircraft and the identity of mummies.
The most popular fiction Hackmatack books at West Pictou were The Gnome's Eye, by Anna Kerz (Orca: 2010) and Tumbleweed Skies, by Valerie Sherrard (Fitzhenry & Whiteside: 2010). Both historical novels explore young girls dealing with upheavals in their lives. In The Gnome's Eye, Theresa struggles to learn English and fit in at her new Canadian school after emigrating with her family from a refuge camp in Austria. In Tumbleweed Skies, Ellie has to live with a grandmother she doesn't know (and who for some reason doesn't seem to like her) while her father works as a traveling salesman.
The favourite French Hackmatack book was Citron Bleu et Zeste de Carotte, by Celine Malepart (La Courte Echelle: 2009), a colourfully illustrated cookbook with a dash of humour.
The Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award committee is busy tallying votes from all Grade 4-6 students who participated in the program. The winners will be announced April 27th at an awards ceremony in Moncton, NB.
