Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 18, 2001
• Invested on: October 26, 2002

She published her first children's novel in 1981, and became a beloved chronicler of the struggles and triumphs of young people. Her novels are rich in time and place and delight readers with their evocative detail and action-filled storylines. Perhaps best known for her Booky trilogy, she has brought to life a heroine whom critics have called the "gutsiest" of Canadian children's literature for her courage in the face of hardship and heartache during the Great Depression. This prolific author enchanted thousands of young readers across the country with her appearances in schools and libraries and received numerous awards and honours for her work.