Calgary Author Wins "In the Margins" Book Award

CALGARY, Alberta - Feb. 4, 2015 - PRLog -- P.D. Workman’s tough-as-nails protagonist Ruby Simpson is running from her past. Readers are falling in love with Ruby as she battles gangs, drugs, depression, and more in her bid for independence and happiness. "You know it’s a great book when you have to keep reminding yourself that the characters are not real people.  I really cared about Ruby, and she gave me some bad moments.  I desperately hoped her story would have a happy ending,” says Hazel Grusendorf. Nichole Betourney adds: "'Ruby, Between the Cracks' really put me through the wringer and I actually had to put it down a few times because I needed to return to reality… There was no chance I was going to stop reading until I knew how the story ended! …I seriously can't wait for book two!"

In the Margins Book Award and Selection Committee, (ITM) a committee under the umbrella of Library Services for Youth in Custody (LYSC) agrees! Today they announced their top ten book titles for 2015, which included Workman’s novel "Ruby, Between the Cracks". Calgarian P.D. Workman is one of two Canadians who placed on the list. The other is Ashley Little of BC, with Anatomy of a Girl Gang.

ITM strives to find the best books for teens living in poverty, on the streets, in custody - or a cycle of all three.  They identify quality, age-appropriate resources for librarians and library workers to share with the teens in urban, lockdown, homeless shelters and other non-traditional venues for teens living in the margins.

"We are thrilled with the second year of this important work finding relevant books for our communities that validate, illuminate and humanize those living in the margins. We have a great list, bringing to national attention books that add to diversity in our collections and world,” said Amy Cheney, Chair of ITM. “The committee members and I are excited to share these books with you for those living and interested in the margins of society."

Workman expressed her gratitude to the ITM for their inclusion of Ruby in the top ten. "I am so honoured to have one of my books selected for this award. I took at look at the other nine books selected, and they all look so good. I'm delighted to have Ruby showcased side-by-side with them. I was excited when I was informed that Ruby had been nominated for In The Margins best books for teens; and humbled and thrilled when it made the top ten list."

P.D. Workman can be reached at pdworkman.author@gmail.com or 403-808-2550. Full media kit at http://pdworkman.com/media

Ruby, Between the Cracks #1
ISBN 9780992153953
Available through all major retailers

If you asked Ruby, she'd tell you she's happy with her life.  She's tough and independent and doesn't depend on anyone else.  The road that has led her here has not been easy, and she's blocked a lot of it from her memory.

But things aren't as rosy as she would have everyone believe, and the road ahead of her is filled not only with gangs, drugs, and depression, but other challenges that Ruby hasn't even imagined.