The Fifth Season By N.K Jemisin (Grade 10+)

The Fifth Season is the first entry in N.K. Jemisin's stellar Broken Earth trilogy, followed by The Obelisk Gate and The Stone Sky. All three of the novels won the Hugo award for best novel, a first in the history of the award, and were heralded by critics and fans alike for complex and exciting storytelling. Jemisin herself grew up in NYC and Alabama, and worked as a psychologist before becoming well known enough as a writer to make the latter her full-time job. She has been heralded as one of the great voices in modern science fiction, and was inlcluded in 2021 on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. LINK TO EXCERPT

Little Man, Little Man: A Story of Childhood By James Baldwin (Grades 7-9)

James Baldwin, one of America's most important writers, is known for his powerful books about race and identity. In his only children’s book, Little Man, Little Man, Baldwin tells the story of four-year-old TJ, who lives in Harlem. Through TJ’s fun adventures with his friends and his growing understanding of the world, Baldwin shows the joys and challenges of Black childhood. The book celebrates friendship, family, and community, with Baldwin’s warm and thoughtful writing making it a timeless story for readers of all ages.

The Crossover By by Kwame Alexander (Grade 4-6)

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is a heartfelt story with a handful of twists and turns, jumps and duck - all puns intended. It is a coming of age story in a unique setting of poetry. The stand alone poems are refresihng and the overall story is a slice of life from the basketball court.
One of the poems - Questions

Hair Love By Matthew A. Cherry (Grades 1-3)

Matthew A. Cherry is an African-American film director, writer, producer, and former American football player. He is best known for his award-winning animated short film and book Hair Love. Hair Love shows the relationship between an African-American father and daughter. Zuri's father has to step in for her mother to do her hair for a special ocassion and it turns out to be more difficult than expected.

Persepolis By Marjane Satrapi (Grades 10+)

Marjane Satrapi is graphic novelist, cartoonist, illustrator, film director, and children's book author. Her authobiographical graphic novel series Persepolis depicts her childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution as well as her journey to Austria in her early adult years. Prominent themes in the series include religion, truth, violence, and justice.

won’t you celebrate with me By Lucille Clifton (Grades 7-9)

Clifton's poem is a testament to resilience, self-love and the unyeilding power of the human spirit. Recognizing the challenges of living in a word marked by systemic oppresion and inequality, Clifton emphasizes her determination to shape her own identity in the face of obstacles. She inspires us all to celebrate our existence and circumstances.

The Kodiaks By David A. Robertson (Grades 4-6)

David A. Robertson is an esteemed author of picture books and novels. A member of the Norway House Cree Nation, he resides in Winnipeg and is a two-time Governor General Literature Award winner. His book The Kodiaks, follows Alex Robinson, a talented hockey player from the Norway House Cree Nation who moves to Winnipeg when his Dad changes jobs. His skill and perseverence make him a star player, but he still is forced to navigate the racism and criticism he receives as an Indigenous kid on the team. A tear-jerker packed with action, this is a great novel for grades 4-6.

The Day You Begin By Jacqueline Woodson (Grades 1-3)

Jacqueline Woodson is an African-American writer of books for children and adolescents. She is an award winning author of many "issue-related" books such as Brown Girl Dreaming. The Day You Begin is about how starting at a new school can be difficult but everyone is different. This book teaches children that sometimes sharing your story with others can help you overcome fear.

You Are Who I Love By Aracelis Girmay (Grades 10+)

In this poem, Girmay uplifts the quiet, often unseen contributions people make to the world, whether through labor, nurturing, or simply existing in their full humanity. The poem acts as a declaration of love for people in all their diversity and complexity, reminding us of the importance of compassion, solidarity, and recognition.

Binti By Nnedi Okorafor (Grades 7-9)

Born in Cincinnati to Nigerian-born parents, Nnedi Okorafor grew up between in Chicago with extended trips to Nigeria throughout her youth. She writes what she calls Africanfuturism, and she has atrracted much attention for her mindbending, and highly literary novels. Her best know is Binti, about an young Namibian woman of the Himba, who becomes the first of her people to attend an intergalactic university called Oomza Uni. It is a thrilling and engaging story of new beginnings and bravery in the face of the unknown.

Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone By Tae Keller (Grades 4-6)

Jennifer Chan is Not Alone is a story about bullying from an unexpected narrator. Tea Keller tells a gripping story of friendship, belonging and not so casual bullying. It is so easy to point fingers and feel justified when we feel hurt, but what happens when we are the ones doing the hurting. Jennifer Chan is a story that makes you think about what makes us who we are.

The author's note is a reflection on her experience talking with her bullies half a lifetime after she was the one bullied. It is a thought provoking read that will leave you pondering the nature of violence and possibility of redemption

Lion and Mouse By Jairo Buitrago, Translated by Elisa Amado (Grades 1-3)

Lion and Mouse is a modern take on the famous fable of the lion and the mouse. Author Jario Buitrago spins the story into a humourous tale of what can happen in relationships when you choose to look past differences, not underestimate people, and appreciate what the other person has to offer. In this case, it is the beginning of a new friendship.

Jairo Buitrago was born in Bogota, Colombia, and currently lives in Mexico City. He has had many of his picture books translated into other languages, and collaborated on 6 (Including Lion and Mouse) with illustrator Rafael Yockteng for Groundwood Books.

Someday I’ll Love Ocean Vuong By Ocean Vuong (Grades 10+)

This poem is an exploration of self and identity written as an address to the poets younger self. Vuong details memories of pain and alienation while offering a sense of both hope and forgiveness, ultimately encouraging their younger self to trust in a possibility of a future where self love and acceptance is achievable.

It's Not All Downhill From Here By Terry McMillan (Grades 7-9)

Terry McMillan was born and raised in Michigan, and discovered her love of literature while shelving books at the local library. Now she is back with It's Not All Downhill From Here, the story of Loretha Curry’s life. On the eve of her sixty-eighth birthday, she has a booming beauty-supply empire, a gaggle of lifelong friends, and a loving husband. Loretha does not think her best days are behind her, and is determined to prove everyone with that view wrong. But when an unexpected loss turns her world upside down, Loretha will have to summon all her strength and determination to keep on thriving, heal old wounds, and chart new paths.

Th'owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish By Joseph A. Dandurand (Grades 4-6)

Local poet, playwright, and storyteller Joseph A. Dandurand brings the traditional Kwantlen First Nation story of Th'owxiya to life in this play for children and young adults. Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish tells the tale of a spirit that preys on children, and a clever mouse named Kw’atel who must find a gift to appease the angry spirit and save the lives of two children and her own family.

I Hope By Monique Gray Smith ( Grades 1-3)

Monique Gray Smith is a celebrated BC author of Indigenous heritage whose books focus on themes of healing, connection, and self-empowerment. Her works are known for their warmth and ability to inspire young readers. I Hope by Monique Gray Smith is an uplifting and heartfelt children’s book that encourages hope, positivity, and resilience. Through simple, yet powerful language, the story expresses a series of hopeful wishes for children, including dreams of kindness, community, and the strength to face challenges.

Furs By Fred Wah (Grades 10+)

A celebrated yet underknown poet, novelist and short story writer, Fred Wah has been a major force in the poetics of western Canada since the early 1960s. He was the Poet Laureate of Canada from 2011-2013, and a founding member of the 1960s Vancouver-based radical poetry collective and newsletter known as TISH, along with Daphne Marlatt and George Bowering, among others. He has been honoured as an officer of the Order of Canada and a Governor General's Award for Poetry. In this poem, he writes of a very specific winter moment and context--a winter evening in the interior of BC.

Christmas Eve By Cathy Song ( Grades 7-9)

In Cathy Song's poem Christmas Eve, the speaker reflects on the poignancy of the holiday season, interweaving memories, traditions, and the quiet weight of family bonds. The poem captures the contrast between the warmth of celebrations and the solitude often felt during moments of reflection. Hopefully the holiday season brings you much joy but you also create space for those who long for communion.

The Snowfall is so Silent By Miguel de Unamuno (Grades 4-6)

The late Miguel de Unamuno was a renowned Spanish philosopher, poet, and writer. Known for his deep existential themes, Unamuno’s works surround life, death, and the human spirit. The Snowfall Is So Silent is a reflective poem. Unamuno captures the serene and quiet beauty of snowfall through themes of stillness, nature's quiet power, and the deep, almost contemplative silence that snowfall brings to the world.

Baseball Bats for Christmas By Michael Kuzugak (Grades 1-3)

Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak is a Canadian Inuk storyteller and children's writer. He has won several awards for his books that primarily tell stories about the Arctic and Inuit culture. Baseball Bats for Christmas talks about kids from Repulse Bay receiving trees for Chritmas but not knowing what they are and turning them into baseball bats.