Good Girls

By Sarah Sahagian; Shalta Dicaire Fardin

From Inanna publications, a self-described feminist publisher, comes Good Girls, the first in a planned series of “daring and feminist-first” young-adult novels following the lives of two 15-year-old girls attending an “elite” all-girl Boston prep ... Read More »

January 23, 2017 | Filed under: Children and YA Fiction

The Darkhouse

By Barbara Radecki

Gemma, the heroine of the debut novel from Barbara Radecki, is 16 years old, and lives with her father, Jonah, on a small island off the coast of New Brunswick. Gemma’s mother decamped when the ... Read More »

January 18, 2017 | Filed under: Children and YA Fiction

Keeper of the Light

By Janet Barkhouse; Thérèse Cilia (ill.)

Since her father’s death at sea, Sara has been forced to leave school and work for Mr. Mosher, the lighthouse keeper, to help her mother make ends meet. It’s hard work: getting up early, lighting ... Read More »

January 17, 2017 | Filed under: Children and YA Fiction

★ Optimists Die First

By Susin Nielsen

To 16-year-old Petula de Wilde, optimists are misguided. They are people who believe things will always go their way and don’t see danger until it’s too late. When her toddler sister dies in a random ... Read More »

January 9, 2017 | Filed under: Children and YA Fiction

A Horse Named Steve

By Kelly Collier

This bright, breezy picture-book debut by Toronto author-illustrator Kelly Collier marks the first time I have ever seen the myth of Narcissus reworked with a horse in the starring role. The eponymous equine, like Cephissus ... Read More »

January 9, 2017 | Filed under: Picture Books

The Great Antonio

By Elise Gravel

In 1946, 21-year-old Yugoslavian Antonio Barichievich arrived at the port of Halifax as a refugee. He soon adopted Montreal as his hometown and remained there until his death in 2003, becoming a beloved local legend ... Read More »

January 9, 2017 | Filed under: Children and YA Fiction

A Month of Mondays

By Joëlle Anthony

Suze Tamaki is a Grade 7 slacker whose wry observations about school and the world around her make her both loveable and relatable. Any tween reader will be able to identify with Suze’s fears that ... Read More »

January 3, 2017 | Filed under: Children and YA Fiction

★ My Beautiful Birds

By Suzanne Del Rizzo

With the arrival of Syrian refugee families in many Canadian communities, parents and children alike are charged with trying to understand the harsh experiences these new classmates and neighbours have undergone. The compassionate and beautiful ... Read More »

January 3, 2017 | Filed under: Picture Books

To Burp or Not to Burp: A Guide to Your Body in Space

By Dave Williams; Loredana Cunti; Theo Krynauw (ill.)

Two fun new fall non-fiction titles provide answers to some common (and not-so-common) questions kids may have about the world around them and beyond. I Am Josephine (And I Am a Living Thing) helps kids ... Read More »

December 12, 2016 | Filed under: Picture Books

Fox and Squirrel: The Best Christmas Ever

By Ruth Ohi

Given our climate, it’s no surprise that Canadian kidlit publishers make the most of winter-themed titles, releasing a few every fall. This year’s crop is strong and inclusive, with something to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or ... Read More »