Martyn Godfrey Young Writers Award
The Martyn Godfrey Young Writers Award is rebranding!
Same award, same awesome young writers, new name! Please head over to the YABS Young Writers Award page for all of the information you need to enter in 2026.
Martyn Godfrey (1949-2000) was born in England and raised in Toronto. Initially a school teacher in Ontario and Alberta, he became a full-time writer for young adult and juvenile fiction in 1985. He had more than 40 books published, and he toured with the Young Alberta Book Society for many years. One of the things he enjoyed most about his career was laughing over the creative and hilarious letters he received from kids. It was his joy in reading those letters that inspired us to create this award in 2001. Although the name of the award has changed, it is our honour to continue his legacy by inspiring Alberta’s youth to tell their stories.
We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Martyn Godfrey Award. Congratulations to all and keep writing!
2025 Elementary Winners
Grade 4
- Alexa Ho of Calgary for The Dragon Slayer’s Mission
- Mehr Kelley of Calgary for Operation: Find Popcorn
- Jade Keel of Vegreville for Window of Worlds
Grade 5
- Emma Vorster of Priddis for Missing
- Ilana Gallichan of Calgary for Cliffhanger: A Tale of Courage & Isolation
- Lucas Fadamiro of Calgary for Eli and the Shadow
Grade 6
- Ella Bergin of Three Hills for Warrior
- Nya Mancell of Calgary for Eve, Not Everleigh
- Maria Menendez of Calgary for The New Me
2025 Junior High Winners
Grade 7
- Anna Borysova of Calgary for Witch Glitch and Princess Punch
- Reyansh Chandra of Calgary for The Enchanted Masterpiece
- Zahia Islam of Edmonton for Bloom
Grade 8
- Sophie Ta of Calgary for A Whale-Soaked Sky
- Emily Geng of Athabasca for The Night Watcher
- Elena Lo of Calgary for The Final Level
Grade 9
- Nicholas E. of Calgary for Embers of Deceit
- Abrar Almishri of Calgary for The Law of Success
- Zoë D. of Edmonton Region for My Missing Half