Reading List

2021/2022

ThemesActivismEmotions and Social AwarenessIndigenous

A powerful graphic novel adaptation of the Thomas King short story, Borders explores themes of identity, belonging, and is a poignant depiction of the significance of a nation’s physical borders from an Indigenous perspective.

2021/2022

ThemesHumourLove and Romance

From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager comes a whip-smart and layered romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han.

2021/2022

ThemesNature and environmentSTEM

A gripping narrative non-fiction with STEM and social justice themes that proves cities can be surprisingly wild places—and why understanding urban nature matters.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourSci-Fi and Fantasy

When Carmen becomes separated from Brax, she finds herself alone as an outsider in a strange land where she is seen as either a slave or food. She must use her assassin training, and the magical bond she shares with Brax, to survive and save him.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHistory

In Finding Home we explore the history of human migration, the current issues facing immigrants and refugees today, and the stories of people who have moved across the globe looking for safety, security and happiness.

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and Friendship

In this partially illustrated chapter book, an eight-year-old girl confronts a bully with the help of a genie she discovers has been living in a spice bottle her grandmother left her.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

This wildly imaginative, crayon-inspired picture book shows that with a bit of teamwork and a universe of creativity, anything is possible!

2021/2022

ThemesHorrorNon-FictionSci-Fi and Fantasy

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourNature and environment

A bad-luck day turns into an epic quest in the second book in this graphic novel series starring a chipper young bunny and a fancy talking candy. Hoppy Go Lucky will delight emerging readers who are eager to dive in to graphic novels!

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourMystery

It’s the first day at a new school for unicorn-loving, practical Tia. It’s hard to be the new kid but she finds an unlikely friend in Leo. Together they notice strange occurrences around the school and seek to find out who (or what) is behind it all!

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessHumourIndigenous

Moar has always loved autumn—playing outside with his friends, feeling the weather get colder—but there is one thing about autumn that really worries Moar. The moon. The days become shorter and the moon, with its creepy face and eerie smile...

2021/2022

ThemesSports and Games

Lone Runner, the latest in Dirk McLean’s sports series for Young Adults, tells the story of a Scarborough high school student as she competes for a spot on the cross-country running team.

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and Friendship

When Malaika finds out she is going to have a new baby brother or sister, she worries that her mother will forget about her. But a surprise arrives on Malaika’s birthday that gives her more reason to celebrate her family’s love.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and Friendship

A photographic board book that features the sounds of heartbeats from around the world.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipIndigenousNature and environment

A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, travel to visit a place very special to Moshom – the trapline his family used when he grew up. The boy imagines life two generations ago, and what is different and what is similar to his life now.

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipNature and environment

A sweet story about embracing change, the excitement of discovery and the wonder of nature and new friends.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipIndigenousNature and environment

A boy greets animal neighbours on a snowy walk, learning their names and tracks from his beloved grandfather.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourMystery

Welcome to the world of Simon and Chester, ghost and boy duo extraordinaire. They like to kick butt and take names. They don't like chores. They are best friends. And they are about to solve the MYSTERY OF A LIFETIME.

2021/2022

ThemesHistorySports and Games

A young boy's love for baseball helps him cope with life in a Japanese internment camp in BC. A historically accurate, thoroughly researched account of the events surrounding the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II.

2021/2022

ThemesHistoryIndigenous

From award-winning writer David A. Robertson comes this timeless graphic novel about the awe-inspiring resilience of Betty Ross. Read her story of strength, family, and culture, now in full colour.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipMystery

It seemed like a cool part-time program -- being a "simulated" patient for med school students to practice on. But now vivacious, charismatic Viv lies in a very real coma. What really happened? Each student has a reason why they can't tell the truth.

2021/2022

ThemesHumourIndigenousNature and environment

When the narrator of this fun and silly book—based on an award-winning song by Inuit singer-songwriter Becky Han—is startled by the buzzing of a bee, she sets off on an exciting adventure!

2021/2022

ThemesHistorySci-Fi and Fantasy

An African tightrope walker who can’t die gets embroiled in a secret society’s deadly gladiatorial tournament in this thrilling historical fantasy set in an alternate 1880s London, perfect for fans of The Last Magician and The Gilded Wolves.

2021/2022

ThemesFamily and FriendshipIndigenousMystery

The National Assembly of Cree Peoples has gathered together in the Windy Lake First Nation, home to the Mighty Muskrats. But when the memory bundle, the center of a four-day long ceremony, is taken, the four mystery-solving cousins set out ...

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipMystery

The literary scavenger hunt of a lifetime, starring an endlessly endearing non-binary tween! Co-authored by child-parent duo Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester, this is a vibrant and enormous-hearted story about friendship, identity, and belonging.

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessHumour

Norris Kaplan is clever, cynical and quite possibly too smart for his own good. A Black French Canadian, he knows from watching American sitcoms that those three things don't bode well when you are moving to Austin, Texas.

2021/2022

ThemesHumourMysterySci-Fi and Fantasy

Here comes The Rock from the Sky, a hilarious meditation on the workings of friendship, fate, shared futuristic visions, and that funny feeling you get that there’s something off somewhere.

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and Friendship

A heartwarming look at love, loss, and memorable objects through the eyes of a child.

2021/2022

ThemesHorrorNature and environmentSci-Fi and Fantasy

Thrive is the thrilling conclusion to the nationally bestselling Bloom Trilogy. It will leave readers on the edge of their seats as they race to finish!

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHealth and Wellness

In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help.

2021/2022

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHumourLove and Romance

Clueless Wilbur experienced a life-altering embarrassing moment the first day of middle-school. Now in Grade Nine, band geek Wilbur tries to rise above his reputation and impress the visiting Parisian exchange student with his newfound confidence

2021/2022

ThemesNature and environment

Survivorman Les Stroud tells stories of his amazing wilderness adventures, sharing survival tips, nature facts and other intriguing details to get kids excited about having their own outdoor adventures.

ThemesHumourLove and Romance

Inspired by the real psychology study popularized by the New York Times and its "Modern Love" column, this contemporary YA is perfect for fans of Eleanor and Park.

ThemesNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesCooking / FoodPicture Book

ThemesAdventureSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessHistoryLove and Romance

A violin and a middle-school musical unleash a dark family secret in this moving story by an award-winning author duo. .

ThemesNon-FictionPicture Book

Board Book

ThemesBiographyNon-Fiction

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and Friendship

In this novel for middle readers, 13-year-old Quinn and her friends try to adjust to life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ThemesHumourNature and environmentNon-FictionPicture BookSTEM

ThemesAdventureSTEM

ThemesAdventureSTEM

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and Friendship

In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, Shivani is horrified when her mother volunteers to cook traditional Indian food for her school's annual fundraiser.

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHumourNature and environment

Bunbun has it all: a delightful Bunbun nose, a winning Bunbun smile, a ridiculously cute Bunbun tail, and two adorable Bunbun ears. But Bunbun doesn't have a friend -- until Bunbun meets Bonbon.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipSci-Fi and Fantasy

A powerful look at the disintegration of society in the wake of a massive and mysterious outage that has knocked out all modern amenities. Fifteen-year-old Emma has moved house with her ex-Marine mother and younger brother, when all the power dies.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesPicture BookSports and Games

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHistory

This brilliantly illustrated picture book tells the story of the Aajibaichi Shala, the Grandmother School, that was opened in Phangane, India, in 2016 to teach local grandmothers how to read and write.

ThemesHorrorNon-Fiction

ThemesHumourSports and Games

ThemesHumourSports and Games

ThemesFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesNature and environmentPicture Book

Board Book

ThemesNature and environmentPicture Book

Board Book

ThemesHumourPicture Book

ThemesHumourNon-Fiction

ThemesIndigenous

ThemesNature and environmentNon-FictionPicture Book

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourMystery

Les lecteurs seront ravis de retrouver Tia et Léo dans cette nouvelle aventure conçue par Dom Pelletier. Les illustrations et le sens de l’humour de l’artiste feront rire petits et grands!

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourMystery

Lorsqu’un loup-garou ressemblant étrangement à M. Rodrigue kidnappe la directrice de l’école, Tia et Léo réalisent que leurs problèmes surnaturels sont loin d’être réglés.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourMystery

Tia, Léo et M. Rodrigue sont de retour pour une nouvelle aventure! C’est bientôt Noël, mais ça ne veut pas dire pour autant que tout est calme...

ThemesBiographyNon-FictionPicture BookSports and Games

ThemesBiographyHistoryNon-FictionSports and Games

ThemesHorrorHumourSci-Fi and Fantasy

Full of eye-popping illustrations and a story with nonstop sidesplitting laughs, plus a removable Professor of Monstrology diploma at the end of the book, Monsters 101 will have children--and adults--eager to enroll, time and time again!

ThemesNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesFamily and Friendship

ThemesIndigenousNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesActivismEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHumour

A touching and funny middle-grade story about family, friendship and growing up when you're one step away from homelessness.

ThemesBiographyNature and environmentNon-FictionPicture BookSTEM

ThemesHorrorHumourSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesHumourSci-Fi and FantasySports and Games

Canada’s favourite sport gets out-of-this world treatment in this action-packed, laugh-out-loud graphic novel!

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessHumourPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessHealth and WellnessHumour

A lighthearted read-aloud about facing a common childhood fear.

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessHumourSports and Games

ThemesNon-FictionSTEM

ThemesFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesSTEM

ThemesNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesPicture Book

ThemesFamily and FriendshipIndigenousSci-Fi and Fantasy

Narnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in the first book in an epic middle grade fantasy series.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipLove and Romance

ThemesHistory

ThemesHistoryIndigenousMystery

In the bright lights of the big city, the Mighty Muskrats search for an auntie lost long ago.

ThemesAdventureHistoryMystery

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesAdventureFamily and FriendshipHumourLove and Romance

ThemesHumourIndigenousNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHistory

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHealth and Wellness

In this powerful story from Christine Baldacchino and Carmen Mok, a young girl navigates social anxiety at family gatherings and works with her father to find a solution.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipIndigenousPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and Friendship

The story of two best friends with more in common than meets the eye, inspired by a true story that went viral online.

ThemesBiographyFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesHistoryHumourIndigenous

A retelling of the Christopher Columbus story from an Indigenous point of view turns the tale on its ear!

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourIndigenous

Trickster Coyote is having his friends over for a festive solstice get-together in the woods when a little girl comes by unexpectedly. She leads the party-goers through the snowy woods to a shopping mall -- a place they have never seen before.

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessLove and Romance

ThemesBiographyHistoryNon-Fiction

An Own Voices story of a child finding and trusting her words, this picture book tells the story of Miss Lou’s early years, when she was a young girl growing up in Jamaica.

ThemesCooking / FoodEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesFamily and Friendship

In this festive dual-language board book, twelve animals race to see who will represent the Chinese zodiac. In English and Simplified Chinese.

ThemesHumourSports and Games

ThemesFamily and FriendshipNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesHistoryLove and RomanceNature and environment

ThemesNature and environmentNon-Fiction

ThemesAdventureMystery

ThemesHumourSci-Fi and Fantasy

In BroBots and the Kaiju Kerfuffle! a trio of robot bros reel in a big challenge and must band together to battle a giant monster in this playful take on classic kaiju-mech and fairytale stories.

ThemesNature and environmentNon-FictionPicture Book

Board Book

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHistory

Part of the nonfiction Orca Origins series, Chinese New Year is illustrated with color photographs throughout. Readers will learn how a simple gathering of family and friends grew into a weeklong, worldwide festival.

ThemesHumourIndigenousNature and environment

Two tales, set in a time “when animals and human beings still talked to each other,” display Thomas King’s cheeky humor and master storytelling skills.

ThemesSci-Fi and Fantasy

A ruthless queen. An ancient god. One brave girl and an impossible choice.

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and Friendship

Young Amaya is auditioning for a role in a professional play. Although she longs to perform, she is about to learn how much team effort and hard work is involved.

ThemesNature and environmentSTEM

ThemesFamily and Friendship

A dazzling board book that introduces little ones to the Indian festival of Diwali through a selection of brilliant sights and sounds.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipNature and environment

We Bought a Zoo meets Jurassic Park in a gripping story featuring the evergreen appeal of human-animal friendships and set in an elephant sanctuary, about a thirteen-year-old girl, a cast of elephants, and a surprising new arrival—a woolly mammoth.

ThemesSci-Fi and Fantasy

Four girls with the power to control the elements must come together to save the world from a terrible evil in this “series opener [that] has it all” (Kirkus Reviews).

ThemesAdventureNon-FictionSTEM

ThemesFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesNature and environmentSTEM

ThemesHistoryNon-Fiction

Learn about the inspiring life of Harriet Tubman in this I Can Read Level Two reader, complete with historical back matter.

ThemesHorrorNon-Fiction

ThemesHorrorNon-Fiction

ThemesFamily and Friendship

A vibrant board book that introduces little ones to the Hindu festival of Holi with a rainbow of colors.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourNature and environment

An action-packed graphic novel that shows no friendship is impossible.

ThemesHistoryIndigenous

ThemesHumour

The bear’s hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others.

ThemesHumourPicture BookSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesAdventureSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessPicture Book

ThemesAdventureMystery

ThemesSci-Fi and Fantasy

The Effigies must uncover the connection between Saul, Blackwell, and the Phantoms before it’s too late in this epic conclusion to the Effigies trilogy.

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipSports and Games

It’s Carnival time. The first Carnival since Malaika’s mother moved to Canada to find a good job and provide for Malaika and her grandmother. Will Malaika still be able to dance in the parade?

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipSports and Games

Malaika is happy to be reunited with Mummy, but it means moving to Canada, where everything is different. It’s cold in Québec City, no one understands when she talks and Carnival is nothing like the celebration Malaika knows from home!

ThemesFamily and FriendshipNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesHistoryMystery

ThemesFamily and FriendshipNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesBiographyHistoryIndigenousNon-FictionPicture BookSports and Games

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and Friendship

Travel to the colorful and chaotic streets of India from the comfort of your home in this hilarious and heartfelt story about friendship and family.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHealth and WellnessIndigenousPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesMystery

Neil, “the flamboyant, irrepressible chef” (Kirkus Reviews), travels across the pond for a real honey of a case in the fifth book in The Neil Flambé Capers, the culinary mystery series celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey calls “good fun.”

ThemesCooking / FoodMystery

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessHealth and WellnessHumourLove and Romance

This touching, hilarious tragi-comedy proves: Life is out to get you. But so is love. A quirky alternative to the "sick lit" genre for YA readers.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourIndigenous

What creatures lurk beneath the sea ice? Putuguq and Kublu — two siblings who can’t seem to get along — are about to find out!

ThemesHistoryMystery

ThemesFamily and Friendship

Harold and the Purple Crayon meets Tom and Jerry in this sweet and funny picture book about a boy and girl who must balance their creativity and figure out how to cooperate after their drawings come to life.

ThemesFamily and Friendship

Two delightfully anxious friends learn that they can overcome anything—even gravity—in this humorous and heartwarming picture book from bestselling author Aaron Reynolds and illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipLove and Romance

Embarrassed by your brother? Estranged from your uncle? Then you might need some help from Almost Family Surrogate Agency. Cam Redden and his dad are rent-a-relatives, available for hire to anyone looking to upgrade.

ThemesSci-Fi and Fantasy

The Effigies seek out the true origins of the Phantoms that terrorize their world in this thrilling follow-up to Fate of Flames, which Elise Chapman calls “an immersive and monstrously fun read.”

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumourSci-Fi and Fantasy

A delightful, funny story of friendship, ghost chores, a spooky house and a professional haunter. Meet Sir Simon - a ghost - and Chester - a kid - as they get to know each other and slowly become friends.

ThemesHistorySci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesSports and Games

Ozzie and the other Nigerian refugees compete with a team of refugees from Syria for time on the soccer field. The two rival teams must then unite to try to win the division championship.

ThemesAdventureHumour

ThemesAdventureHumour

ThemesCooking / FoodFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHumourMystery

ThemesBiographyFamily and FriendshipHistory

ThemesHistoryIndigenousMysteryNature and environment

A visiting archaeologist goes missing, and four inseparable cousins decide to solve the mystery. In the midst of community conflict and family concerns, they follow every lead. The Mighty Muskrats won’t let anything stop them from solving their case!

ThemesHumour

ThemesHorrorMysterySci-Fi and Fantasy

A gripping series that combines Steampunk, spying, and a fantastic Victorian London.

ThemesHistoryHorrorSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesHumourIndigenousNature and environment

As Owl swoops down and blocks the entrance to a lemming den, he is sure that he has a tasty meal in the little animal he has cornered. But this smart little lemming will need to appeal to the boastful owl's sense of pride to get away.

ThemesAdventureFamily and FriendshipPicture Book

ThemesFamily and FriendshipIndigenousNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesHumourNature and environmentPicture Book

ThemesAdventureSci-Fi and Fantasy

ThemesHumour

When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up.

ThemesAdventure

ThemesFamily and FriendshipSports and Games

Unable to concentrate on his game because of the traumas he experienced in Syria, Victor, captain of a soccer team of refugee kids, discovers how to offer real leadership to his team during a national competition.

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessHumourSports and Games

ThemesHumourSci-Fi and Fantasy

Contained within this picture book is everything you ever wanted to know about the science behind unicorns: biology, history, diet, habitat and more. Join renowned unicorn scientists to learn the facts about this elusive species.

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHumourLove and Romance

Thirteen-year-old Stewart Inkster is academically brilliant but "ungifted" socially. Fourteen-year-old Ashley Anderson is the undisputed "It" girl of grade nine, but her marks stink. Their worlds are about to collide.

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHumour

Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat. . . .

ThemesNature and environmentNon-Fiction

ThemesActivismCooking / FoodNon-Fiction

ThemesPicture Book

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipHistory

ThemesFamily and FriendshipHistoryIndigenous

In this gentle book, a grandmother shares her experiences in a residential school with her granddaughter. A story of empowerment and strength from a difficult time in history.

ThemesMystery

A boy investigates a squirrelly situation to track down his missing stories in this charming ode to book lovers of all kinds.

ThemesEmotions and Social AwarenessFamily and FriendshipPicture Book