The Dog Heist by Dani Jansen Dani Jansen’s first book – The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life – made me laugh out loud. I promised myself to read her next book, which is The Dog Heist. The Dog Heist is about more than stealing Lyra the dog: it is the intricate story of two tweens,…
The Third Period Comeback by E. K. Johnston In an almost dystopian – indeed, apocalyptic – current events news cycle – even for children – this book is an oasis, a balm. It is a funny, quirky-character driven book with Canadian in-jokes, wonderful inclusiveness, Canadian settings and activities – cottages/cabins, hockey, camping, etc. And, it also has…
The Truth About Maura by Isabelle Jameson Maura makes a careful plan – how, when, where to get it done so that no one will find out. Her plan works perfectly, except that there’s a class mate at the abortion clinic, and they see each other. Social media explodes. Maura’s mother is embarrassed; her best friend is…
Finding My Spark by Isabelle Jameson Alex, the protagonist of this picture book, knows he is a boy. He can’t bring himself to say – out loud – the words in his head. His feelings begin his story – worried, afraid, unhappy. The illustrations convey these very well. Eventually, Alex writes a letter to his mom. She…
Young World by Soman Chainani As a teenager, I can remember imagining who I’d thank if I won an Academy Award. To be clear, I had no ambition then or ever, to be an actor. Still, one daydreams… Imagine a teenager daydreaming about being in charge… say President of the United States. Then imagine the light…
Our Little Secret by Edward Kay & Mikhael Klassen-Kay This book grabs the reader by the throat. It opens with a textbook case example of “in medias res”. Truly, the opening sentences are among the best I’ve ever read, for any age level, ever. Our Little Secret reveals said secret in the final words of the book…
The Lion’s Run by Sara Pennypacker If you’re like me and think, “surely there isn’t anything else to say or learn about World War II?!,” someone like Sara Pennypacker finds something new. In The Lion’s Run, I learned more about the Nazi’s, what was taken from people in France, about the Resistance, than I could have imagined. In any book…