Ladner author Darren Groth's latest novel is up for a Governor General's Literary Award, it was announced last week.
The young adult novel Are You Seeing Me? made the shortlist in the Children's Literature (Text) category for Canada's national literary awards.
"I'm very humbled by this recognition. I'm also delighted that myself and Are You Seeing Me? - a story set partly in this community - can represent Delta on a national stage," Groth said in an email to the Optimist.
Winners will be announced Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Are You Seeing Me? follows twins Justine and Perry, who is on the autism spectrum, as they embark on the road trip of a lifetime in the Pacific Northwest.
"Our literature reflects who we are as a society. Our authors, illustrators and translators challenge us to learn more about ourselves and the world, whether through novels, works of non-fiction or translation, poetry, drama or books for children and young adults," said Canada Council director and CEO Simon Brault. The novel debuted in Australia, Groth's home country, last year.
There the book made it on The Children's Book Council of Australia's short list for Book of the Year for older readers and was named an Outstanding Book by the IBBY Collection of Books for Young People with Disabilities.
