The finalists for the 2026 High Plains International Book Awards have been announced. Established in 2007, the awards celebrate literary works that examine and reflect life in the High Plains region, which includes the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas, and the Canadian Provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Canadian finalists are listed below in their respective categories.
Children's Middle Grade Book
Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers, written by Frances Backhouse (Orca Book Publishers)
Maggie Lou Meets Her Match, written by Arnolda Dufour Bowes, illustrated by Karlene Harvey (Groundwood Books)
No Purchase Necessary, written by Maria Marianayagam (HarperCollins Publishers)
Indigneous Writer
Kohkum's Royal Bannock, written by Wilfred Burton, illustrated by Hawlii Pichette (Thistledown Press)
Touching Grass, written by Kristy Jackson, illustrated by Rhael McGregor (HarperCollins Publishers)
Young Adult
Fireboy, written by Edward Willett (Shadowpaw Press)
The winners will be announced in October at an event in Billings, Montana.
For more information, visit highplainsbookawards.org.