In honour of the shortlist announcement for this year’s NZCYA Awards, this quiz is about all things NZCYA related! How much do you know about the Awards of past and present? Check out our coverage of the award finalists here.
QUESTIONS
1. When were the first NZCYA Awards?
A. 1962
B. 1972
C. 1982
D. 1992
2. The Awards have seen many different sponsors and name changes throughout their life. What were the Awards most recently called before becoming known as the NZCYA Awards?
A. New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults
B. AIM Children’s Book Awards
C. New Zealand Government Publishing Awards
D. New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards
3. Which author has won the most NZCYA Awards for Book of the Year?
A. Maurice Gee
B. Margaret Mahy
C. Gavin Bishop
D. Joy Cowley
4. Out of the authors listed above, which one of them is the Book of the Year Award named after?
5. And, out of that list, who was the first-ever winner of the Children’s Book of the Year?
6. Who won the 2023 YA Fiction Award?
A. Kate De Goldi, with Eddy, Eddy
B. Jennifer Lane, with Miracle
C. Philippa Werry, with Iris and Me
D. Eileen Merriman, with Indigo Moon
7. Where is the NZCYA Awards ceremony held?
A. Auckland
B. Wellington
C. Christchurch
D. It changes every year
8. Which of the following is NOT a category at the NZCYA Awards?
A. Graphic Novel Award
B. Non-Fiction Award
C. Illustration Award
D. Best First Book Award
9. The first ever Book Awards had only two categories, including one for Children’s Book of the Year. What was the other category?
A. Young Adult Book of the Year
B. Best First Book
C. Non-Fiction Book of the Year
D. Picture Book of the Year
10. How many categories do the NZCYA Awards now have in total?
A. 8
B. 5
C. 6
D. 9
ANSWERS
1. D – The first-ever NZCYA Awards, then known as the New Zealand Government Publishing Awards, were held in 1982.
2. A – Until 2015, the Awards were called the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
3. C and D – Gavin Bishop and Joy Cowley are tied for most wins of Book of the Year; both have won the award four times each.
4. B – The award is known as the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award.
5. D – Joy Cowley was the first-ever winner of Children’s Book of the Year at the inaugural 1982 awards, with The Silent One.
6. C – Philippa Werry’s Iris and Me won the 2023 YA Fiction Award.
7. B – The NZCYA Awards ceremony is held in Wellington.
8. C – There is no category specifically for graphic novels (although one of this year’s YA Award finalists, Tsunami by Ned Wenlock, is a graphic novel, as is Raymond McGrath’s junior f fiction, DoubleDippers!)
9. D – Alongside Children’s Book of the Year, the other category at the first ever Book Awards was Picture Book of the Year.
10. A – There are currently 8 categories at the NZCYA Awards.
Check out the 2024 shortlist here.