Staff Reviews

Staff Reviews

Kids / YA Review July 2026

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 helps him to draw a picture to show his family, and then he tells his class. He wants people to use he/him pronouns. He wants to be called Alex.

His feelings change - relieved, brave, happy. He had the feelings before he had the words. A picture helps him tell his truth.

I remember an altercation with another child – Marty - when I was small. Grown-up interventions ensued. “What happened” was explained by others. I thought, “That’s not right.” It was so obvious in my head - but I didn’t have the words to clarify the facts or my feelings – also I was crying. Feeling powerless to communicate a correction, is what I remember most. (If I met Marty today, I’d explain the whole thing!)

All kids have felt worried or afraid or unhappy. All kids would rather feel relieved or brave or happy. I think this picture book will support many kids to feel these emotions themselves and/or have empathy for others. It might even help them to find words about a specific truth in their own lives. We hope there is room for this Canadian book in your library.

Picture Book pr8383099

 

 

Adult Review July 2026

The Plunge: Maverick Swimmers, an Unlikely Quest, and the Transformative Power of Cold Water by Chris Ballard

A look at cold water swimming, from solo and community quick dippers to events organized by the nascent International Ice Swimming Association, held around the world.

As with “Born to Run,” this is very much a character study of fascinating outliers and eccentrics, along with those dealing with trauma, from the famous (Lynne Cox, Wim Hoff), prize winning (a US Olympic swim team member) and everyday (a CDN getting over the loss of his wife). It also, much like James Nestor’s “Breath” is filled with very readable popular science in greater depth with historical and current research. I haven’t had a book more fun to read than this, year to date.

Adult Non-Fiction pr8342608

  

Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon

A satirical noir in the form of a 1930s private eye thriller that looks at the emerging threats of fascism and new technologies, this is the Great American cheese novel you didn’t know you needed.

Adult Fiction pr8096175

  

 

 

 

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