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Cary Fagan

キャリー・ファガン

Karyī Fagan

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1957-01-01 （Toronto, Ontario）
Nationality
Canada
Languages
English
Residence History
Toronto suburbs → Toronto → London → New York City → Toronto

Career

Occupations
novelist, children's book author, editor
Active Years
1990-2023
Affiliations
espresso (co-publisher)
Nominations
1990 Finalist, Toronto Book Awards (City Hall and Mrs. God), 2000 Sydney Taylor Honor Book (The Market Wedding), 2004 Silver Birch Award Honour Book (The Fortress of Kaspar Snit), 2008 Finalist, TD Canadian Children's Literature Award (Thing-Thing), 2008 Silver Birch Express Award Honour Book (Ten Lessons for Kaspar Snit), 2008 Finalist, Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award (Thing-Thing), 2010 Finalist, Toronto Book Awards (Valentine's Fall), 2012 Longlist, Scotiabank Giller Prize (My Life Among the Apes), 2013 Finalist, Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize (A Bird's Eye), 2015 Finalist, John Spray Mystery Award (The Show to End all Shows), 2019 Finalist, Toronto Book Award (The Student), 2019 Finalist, Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction (The Student), 2019 Finalist, Governor General's Literary Award for Illustrated Children's Book (King Mouse)

Education

University of Toronto
Faculty of Arts / Department of English
Degree: Bachelor's degree in English
Year of Graduation: 1979
Country: Canada
Won eight student awards

Awards

Jewish Book Award for Fiction
1994
Work: The Animals' Waltz
Result: Winner
World Storytelling Award
2004
Work: The Market Wedding
Result: Winner
Quill & Quire Book of the Year
2009
Work: Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas
Organization: Quill & Quire
Result: Winner
IODE Jean Throop Book Award
2012
Work: Mr. Zinger's Hat
Result: Winner
Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
2013
Work: Mr. Zinger's Hat
Result: Winner
Vicki Metcalf Award for Children's Literature
2014
Work: body of work
Result: Winner
Joan Betty Stuchner—Oy Vey!--Funniest Children's Book Award
2019
Work: Mort Ziff is not Dead
Result: Winner
Canadian Jewish Literary Award
2022
Work: Great Adventures for the Faint of Heart
Result: Winner
Forward Silver Award for Humor
2023
Work: The Animals
Result: Winner
Vine Award For Jewish Canadian Literature
2023
Work: Water, Water
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Student

2019 novel

Adult novel, finalist for Toronto Book Award and Governor General's Literary Award.

student life

A Bird's Eye

2013 novel

Adult novel, shortlisted for Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.

Valentine's Fall

2010 novel

Nominated for Toronto Book Award.

Mr. Zinger's Hat

2012 picture book

Children's picture book, multiple awards.

hatcreativity

Water, Water

2022 children's fiction

Vine Award winner.

Bibliography

  • The Animals' Waltz
  • Sleeping Weather
  • Felix Roth
  • The Mermaid of Paris
  • Valentine's Fall
  • A Bird's Eye
  • The Student
  • The Animals

Style & Themes

Literary Style
whimsicalhumorous
Recurring Motifs
Jewish cultureadventure

Legacy

Canadian writer of novels, short stories, and children's books. Published 25 children's titles since 2001, with numerous awards including finalists for major prizes.

Trivia

  • Married to Rebecca Comay, philosophy professor at University of Toronto.
  • Co-publishes small press 'espresso' with Bernard Kelly and Rebecca Comay.
  • Has two daughters, a step-son, and a step-daughter.