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On Wednesday, May 7, students in grades 4 to 8 from Archwood, Nordale, and Marion Schools came together at Marion School to celebrate the Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Awards (MYRCA). The event was filled with energy and enthusiasm as students took part in a variety of engaging activities, including a virtual escape room, “Would You Rather” games, puzzles, trivia, and voting predictions. 

Students were seated in mixed-school groups, creating opportunities to connect with fellow book lovers from across the three schools. Many new friendships were formed, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. A book-themed photo booth added to the fun, with students eagerly posing for pictures—often with their new friends from other schools. Throughout the morning, prizes were awarded for participation in the various activities, adding to the festive spirit. 

One highlight of the day was the collaborative reveal of the 2026 MYRCA nominees, where students from all three schools took turns introducing the 2026 nominees. Students were eager to learn about the new titles and many expressed excitement to begin reading the latest selections. Among the attendees, 13 students had accomplished the incredible feat of reading all 20 of the 2025 nominees. These readers were recognized with a MYRCA t-shirt, a 2026 nominee book, and a framed certificate to honour their achievement. 

But the most memorable moment of the celebration was a presentation and book signing by Winnipeg author and illustrator Joanna Cacao, winner of the 2025 MYRCA Northern Lights Award for her graphic novel The Secret of the Ravens. Cacao shared her creative journey—from writing and illustrating to the publishing process—offering students a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a story to life. Her talk concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students asked thoughtful and insightful questions. 

This memorable event was made possible through the collaboration of teacher-librarians, library assistants, and teachers from all three schools. It was a joyful celebration of Canadian middle-grade literature and a shared love of reading. Students are already diving into the 2026 MYRCA titles with great enthusiasm!