Be sure to watch episode 1 before reading my spoilerful comments below! (CBC YouTube link above)

A big piece of the Canada Reads puzzle that you’re missing when you read the books is how good the celebrities will be at championing them. A good argument can save a mediocre book; a poor argument can allow a masterpiece to fall through the cracks. So, now that we’ve seen this year’s debaters in action, have our predictions for the winner changed?

Mine really haven’t. In my original predictions post, I predicted that Watch Out for Her would be the first to go, so there weren’t any big surprises in the first round. I felt bad for Maggie MacNeil, and also for the author Samantha M. Bailey, but there really wasn’t an argument to be made for it to stay longer in the competition. I hope the inclusion of genre literature continues, though.

As for the other debaters, I thought Michelle Morgan (champion of Etta & Otto & Russell & James) was the most eloquent and persuasive in her arguments, but Saïd M’Dahoma (Dandelion) and Shayla Stonechild (A Two-Spirit Journey) also did really well. I didn’t find Linwood Barclay (Jennie’s Boy) quite as convincing, especially against the common criticism that Jennie’s Boy is repetitive, so I expect Jennie’s Boy to be the next to go.

So far, I get the feeling that Dandelion is the frontrunner. Etta & Otto & Russell & James frequently faced criticism for being confusing and too stylistic, and A Two-Spirit Journey was considered by some to be choppy and blunt. I feel like the worst that was said about Dandelion was that it wasn’t personally relatable to some people’s own experiences, but they all seemed to enjoy it nonetheless.

In short, my prediction as of episode 1 for the final 2 is A Two-Spirit Journey and Dandelion, with Dandelion winning in the end. But we’ll see! Like I said, Michelle Morgan is an excellent debater, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she carries Etta & Otto & Russell & James through to the end.

I might post about each episode this week if I have the time, but if not I’ll at least check in again after the finale. If you have your own predictions to share, I’d love to hear them in the comments!