The Indigo Teen Read Awards opened with a vibrant celebration in Toronto at the Six Degrees venue on September 25, welcoming a wave of teen readers and a star‑studded slate of performers. Hosts Jessi Cruickshank and Dan Levy guided the evening with warmth and humor, keeping the energy high as the crowd roared with every moment.
Emily Osment delivered a high energy set to a packed audience and made a surprise appearance during the event. Although Alyssa Reid and Alex Lacasse were billed as performers, the night delivered an extra moment of sparkle that delighted the crowd as well.
The venue offered a photo booth and a graffiti wall, and the spread featured a variety of bites—from mini burgers to brownie lollipops—creating a festive atmosphere. As the evening closed, each attendee left with a swag bag filled with books and goodies.
Following the main ceremony, attendees continued the celebration at the Indigo location on Yonge and Eglinton, where exclusive shopping discounts complemented the festive mood.
Susin Nielsen, author of Word Nerd and a nominee for Best Canadian Read, reflected on the inspiration behind Word Nerd, recalling a diary kept at eleven that helped shape the voice of the main character. Nielsen advised aspiring writers to persevere, to keep drafting, and to submit work to places that welcome new voices.
Alyson Noël, the creator of The Immortals series, spoke about turning life events into stories and urged readers to dive into books, read widely, and practice writing. She emphasized kindness to oneself, noting that early drafts require revision before they can reach the shelves.
Alexandra Bullen, author of Wish, discussed her favorite character Bowie and imagined what it would be like to bring a beloved character to life. She teased Wishful Thinking, the sequel to Wish, hinting at new adventures with Hazel and three wishes.
When asked why teens should read, the hosts highlighted that what is read on the page shapes one’s imagination and personal world, and that life lessons can emerge from books in ways schools sometimes do not teach.
Alyssa Reid explained her approach to choosing a book by first looking at the cover, then the back, and finally the momentum of the story; if it feels suspenseful, she reads on.
Alex Lacasse shared his current read, The Witches by Roald Dahl, a book he began in grade six and now aims to finish, turning a long‑standing goal into a recent priority.
The Winners and Nominees included: Best Read winner The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, with nominees Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, Darkest Powers: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong, The Immortals: Shadowland by Alyson Noël, and Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen.
Best All-Time Fave crowned Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling as the winner, with The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, The Twilight Saga: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins as nominees.
Best Teen Series went to Vampire Academy: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead, while nominees included House of Night: Burned by P. C. and Kristin Cast, Blue Bloods: The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz, Pretty Little Liars No. 8: Wanted by Sara Shepard, and Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare.
Best Book-To-Flick recognized Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling as the winner, with Push by Sapphire, The Twilight Saga: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, Whip It by Shauna Cross, and The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis as nominees.
Best New Writer went to Fallen by Lauren Kate, with Wish by Alexandra Bullen, Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, and Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick as nominees.
Best Hero honored Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book Five: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan as the winner, joined by The Curse Workers: White Cat by Holly Black, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and Heist Society by Ally Carter as nominees.
Best Villain recognized Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink as the winner, with The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: The Necromancer by Michael Scott, The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, Stolen by Lucy Christopher, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling as nominees.
Best Hottie went to Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare, with Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, The Vampire Diaries: The Return, Shadow Souls by L. J. Smith, and Vampire Academy 5: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead earning nods.
Best Lip Lock crowned Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer as the winner, with Sea Change by Aimee Friedman, Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan, Captivate by Carrie Jones, and The Daughters by Joanna Philbin as nominees.
Best Canadian Read recognized Darkest Powers: The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong as the winner, with Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen, The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones, For the Win by Cory Doctorow, and Darklight by Lesley Livingston as nominees.
The night left a lasting impression, and anticipation grew for the next year’s Teen Read Awards as teens and readers alike looked forward to more stories, performances, and conversations about what they loved reading most.