Erin Bow announces winners of The First Page student writing challenge

Erin Bow is an award-winning YA writer and the judge of this year's The First Page student writing challenge. CBC Books challenged students from coast to coast to imagine the great Canadian novel in the year 2167, presenting how current-day trends and issues have evolved in 150 years. More than 2,400 young writers responded with their ideas on climate change, gender equality, net neutrality, the threat of nuclear war and many other pressing subjects.

Last week, Bow joined host Tom Power in the q studio to talk about the shortlisted stories. Today, she's back with guest host Laurie Brown to announce the two winning entries  — one from the grades 7 to 9 category and one from the grades 10 to 12 category — and tell us what made them such compelling reads.

— Produced by Frank Lockyer Palmer