Local author receives Book Excellence Award

SEELEY LAKE - Local author Tanya Fyfe received the 2021 Finalist Book Excellence Award in the Young Adult Fiction category for her most recent book "The Runaways of Missing Lake." This is the third award for this book published in September 2020. Other awards include the 2020 Pinnacle Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction and 2021 Independent Press Distinguished Favorite Award in Teen Fiction.

Founded in Toronto, Ontario, the Book Excellence Awards is an international book awards competition dedicated to recognizing both independent and traditionally published authors and publishers for excellence in writing, design and overall market appeal

"I was almost overwhelmed and humbled for the fourth book in my series to be honored with such a meaningful award," Fyfe said. "The book is so timely in that it touches on big, current themes from an adolescent perspective."

Fyfe said reviews have focused on how she addressed climate change and forest fires while not dragging down the narrative, all while bringing fun and fantasy into a real-life world. Teens and pre-teens (and their parents and grandparents) can relate to living in a small community and go back to when high school relationships were such a big part of their lives.

"I have been recognized for writing a relatable character in Luke Houser and for the fact he can be a role model for all kids right now," Fyfe said. "Readers can see how Luke handles significant and seemingly unsurmountable challenges all while trying to be what he thinks of as normal."

"The Runaways of Missing Lake" is the fourth book in a series written by Fyfe, however it stands on its own as a first read. Main character 16-year-old Houser learns to balance school, friends, responsibilities with the sled dogs he and his family raise and the enormous responsibility of being a Dragoneer during a time their species is threatened by the fear of discovery and a changing environment. Fyfe gives readers insight into our impact on the global climate, raising and caring for a team of Alaskan huskies and coming-of-age in a modern world. The book helps readers step away from COVID-19 and into the middle of nowhere with a charmingly reluctant young man who is just realizing where he fits in the world whether they are teens or not.

"It will make people look towards the mountains with some hope that perhaps there really is a dragon lair within," Fyfe said.

"The Runaways of Missing Lake" is available at local stores in Seeley Lake and online book-selling outlets along with her other three books in the series "Lost and Found in Missing Lake," "The Dragons of Missing Lake" and award-winning "Secrets Abound in Missing Lake."

To learn more about the Book Excellence Award visit bookexcellenceawards.com. To follow Fyfe, visit her blog tanyafyfe.com.