TORONTO, ON – June 22, 2010 – Indigo Books & Music Inc. is proud to announce the first-ever Teen Read Awards, a celebration of popular teen fiction as well as the Canadian fans who read and love teen books.  In the past five years, the teen books category has grown by 150% and has become the second largest at Indigo and Chapters, after adult fiction.  The Teen Read Awards provides a new and exciting platform to support this enthusiasm and encourage reading and literacy among youth in Canada. 

“The explosive popularity of blockbuster series like Harry Potter and Twilight have helped ignite and fuel an undeniable appetite for reading in teens,” said Trevor Dayton, VP Kids and Entertainment, Indigo Books & Music. “Teens are some of our most passionate customers and we are dedicated to making connections and enhancing experiences for booklovers of all ages through unique events.  The Teen Read Awards offer teens a program created specifically for them to voice their opinions, support their favourite books and authors, and connect with other fans across the country.“

At the onset of the awards process, Indigo invited publishers across Canada to submit their nominations for 10 Teen Read Award categories including Best Read, Best Hero, Best Villain and Best Book to Flick.  An Indigo panel of teen fiction experts then shortlisted four nominees in each category and starting today until September 12th, 2010, Canadian teens can cast their votes in store and online at www.teenreadawards.ca for their favourite shortlisted books, authors and characters. Until July 25th, 2010, teens can also recommend and vote for their choice of a fifth nominee for each category.  Each vote makes them eligible for amazing daily prizes from gift cards and exclusive signed books to time with their favourite authors.

The winners will be revealed on September 25th at an awards ceremony in Toronto and will feature a fun, eclectic mix of presenters including authors, celebrity teens and musical acts who will surely bring the fandemonium for teen reading to a fever pitch.

Indigo is pleased to welcome exclusive category sponsors Cineplex and Indigo Love of Reading Foundation who will both support the Best Book-to-Flick and Best Hero categories respectively with prizes, promotions and exclusives for Canadian teens.

The Indigo 2010 Teen Read Award categories and nominees are:

Nominated authors are enthusiastic about the awards too.

“I'm thrilled that The Daughters has been nominated for Indigo's very first Teen Read Awards!” said Joanna Philbin, author of Daughters and nominee for Best Lip Lock. “This is bound to be an amazing summer tradition for Canadian teens, and I'm happy - and honoured - to be a part of it.” 

Michelle Zink, nominated in the Best Villain category for Prophecy of the Sisters adds: “I'm especially excited to be nominated for the 2010 Indigo Books Teen Read Awards because the winner is chosen by the people who count most – teen readers!  Their enthusiasm, insight, and passion for life inspire me every day.”

The Teen Read Awards featuring nominated authors and musical guests will be hosted on September 25th and is expected to be this Fall’s hot event ticket for teens. For more information on the first-ever Indigo Teen Read Awards please visit www.teenreadawards.ca.