Family Tree By Chuqiao Yang (Grades 10+)

Chuqiao Yang was born in Beijing, grew up in Saskatchewan, and now lives in Ottawa. Her poems often focus on family connections, cultural and generational memories, diaspora, and the nature of self and identity. Inspirations include T.S. Eliot, especially his poem The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, as well as William Shakespeare, John Keats, and Walt Whitman. She was a finalist for the Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers and her chapbook, Reunions in the Year of the Sheep, won the bpNichol Chapbook Award. She has a compelling and original voice, with poems that have been described as engaging, emotionally resonant, poignant, and honest. Her debut full-length collection, The Last to the Party, was released in 2024 with Goose Lane Editions (icehouse imprint).

I Am Offering This Poem By Jimmy Santiago Baca (Grade 7-9)

Born in 1952 in Santa Fe of Chicano and Apache descent, Jimmy Santiago Baca was abandoned by his parents and at 13 ran away from the orphanage where his grandmother had placed him. He was convicted on drug charges in 1973 and spent five years in prison. There he learned to read and began writing poetry. His semiautobiographical novel in verse, Martin and Meditations on the South Valley (1987), received the 1988 Before Columbus Foundation’s American Book Award in 1989. In addition to over a dozen books of poetry, he has published memoirs, essays, stories, and a screenplay, Bound by Honor (1993), which was made into a feature-length film directed by Taylor Hackford.

The Soldiers Came By John Agard (Grades 4-6)

John Agard is a Guyanese-British poet, playwright, and children’s author celebrated for his dynamic performances and exploration of identity, colonialism, and history. Born in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1949, he moved to Britain in 1977, where his work became central to postcolonial British literature. His poem “The Soldiers Came” vividly portrays the arrival of colonial forces, capturing the disruption and violence brought upon Indigenous peoples and their lands. Through simple yet powerful language, Agard exposes the human cost of conquest and questions imperial narratives. His poetry combines sharp social insight with rhythm and voice, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable histories.

Indian Veterans By Solomon Ratt (Grades 1-3)

Solomon Ratt is a Cree author, poet, and storyteller from the Woodland Cree Nation of northern Saskatchewan. Writing in both Cree and English, Ratt is known for preserving and revitalizing the Cree language through his literature and teachings. His poem “Indian Veterans” reflects on the experiences of Indigenous soldiers who served in wars abroad, only to return home to face continued discrimination and erasure. Through stark imagery and emotional honesty, Ratt honors their courage while exposing the injustice of their treatment. His work bridges memory, history, and resilience, affirming Indigenous identity and survival through the power of language and story.

For the women who are "difficult" to love By Warsan Shire (Grades 10+)

Warsan Shire is a Somali-British poet, writer, and teacher whose work explores themes of identity, migration, womanhood, and resilience. She became the first Young Poet Laureate for London in 2013 and is widely recognized for her powerful, intimate voice that speaks to the experiences of displacement and survival. Her poem “For Women Who Are Difficult to Love” addresses the pain and strength of women who are often misunderstood, presenting selfhood as both burden and liberation. Through raw imagery and unflinching honesty, Shire reclaims vulnerability as power, giving voice to women who refuse to diminish themselves.

Dead Stars By Ada Limon (Grades 10+)

from The Carrying Ada Limón is an American poet and the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States, celebrated for her vivid, emotionally resonant poetry that explores nature, identity, love, and resilience. Her poem “Dead Stars” reflects on humanity’s connection to the universe, urging readers to recognize both their cosmic origins and their responsibility to the world around them. With accessible yet profound language, Limón captures the beauty and ache of being alive, blending wonder with introspection. Her work often finds hope amid uncertainty, reminding us that even in our smallest moments, we carry the brilliance and possibility of the stars.

You're not like other girls By Nikita Gill (Grades 7-9)

These are the words: Fearless verse to find your voice. Nikita Gill is a British-Indian poet, writer, and visual artist known for her empowering works that explore themes of femininity, healing, mythology, and self-discovery. Through her poetry, she gives voice to the resilience and complexity of women’s experiences. Her piece “You’re Not Like Other Girls” challenges the backhanded compliment often used to divide women, instead celebrating the strength found in solidarity and individuality. Gill’s lyrical style blends contemporary emotion with mythic imagery, resonating deeply with readers worldwide. Her work encourages women to embrace their authenticity and reject societal expectations that seek to define or diminish them.

Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh By Uma Krishnaswami (Grades 4-6)

Maria Singh, nine, is eager to play softball for Yuba City, California's first-ever girls' team. The Second World War is still going strong in the spring of 1945. Maria's teacher, Miss Newman, decides to form a girls' softball team at their school after being inspired by Babe Ruth and the All-American Girls' League.

Maria's parents, Papi from India and Mamá from Mexico, are unable to shield their kids from discriminatory laws and discrimination in the meantime. Maria must determine whether she has what it takes to stand out and find her voice in an unjust society as the family is in danger of losing their land.

Map of Fun By Naomi Shihab Nye (Grades 1-3)

from 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East
Naomi Shihab Nye describes herself as a “wandering poet.” She has spent more than 40
years traveling the country and the world to lead writing workshops and inspiring students of
all ages. Nye was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother and grew up in
St. Louis, Jerusalem, and San Antonio. Drawing on her Palestinian-American heritage,
the cultural diversity of her home in Texas, and her experiences traveling in Asia, Europe,
Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East, Nye uses her writing to attest to our shared humanity.
She is the author and/or editor of more than 30 volumes.

Women Do This Every Day By Sadiqa de Meijer (Grades 10+)

Sadiqa de Meijer’s books include the poetry collections Leaving Howe Island (Governor General’s Award Finalist 2014) and The Outer Wards (Raymond Souster Award finalist 2020), and the memoir alfabet/alphabet (Governor General’s Award Winner 2021). Her work recurrently explores landscape, language, motherhood, inner lives, visual art, and the long wakes of colonialism and migration.

Little Women By Louisa May Alcott (Grades 7-9)

Precocious Amy, shy Beth, tomboyish Jo, and mature Meg. There is no greater contrast between the four March sisters. They must, however, rely on one another because their mother works to maintain the family while their father is away at war. Whether they're performing in a play, creating a covert organization, or enjoying Christmas, they can't help but wonder: Will Father make it home safely?

Anywhere By Janet Wong (Grades 4-6)

from Good Luck Gold and More
Janet Wong is the author of 38 books for children and teens on a wide range of topics, from yoga to f
riendship to chess. As a literacy volunteer for two decades, she served on the
NCTE Commission on Literature, the Children's Literature Assembly board and USBBY board, t
he IRA/ILA Notable Books for a Global Society committee and Literacy & Social Responsibility
SIG, and the ALA/CBC Joint Committee (responsible for developing the Reading Beyond
and Building a Home Library lists).

Song for a girl By Lucille Clifton (Grades 1-3)

Lucille Clifton (1936–2010) was an acclaimed African American poet known for her clear, powerful language and focus on family, heritage, womanhood, and resilience. She served as Maryland’s Poet Laureate and twice won the National Book Award, earning recognition for poems that uplift everyday lives with honesty and grace. Clifton’s work often celebrates identity and self-worth, especially for women and children. Her poem “Song for a Girl” is a short, affirming piece that encourages young girls to embrace their strength, growth, and unique voice. With warmth and simplicity, Clifton reminds readers that every girl has a song worth sharing.

Kihiani: A Memoir of Healing By Susan Aglukark, Andrea Warner (Grades 10+)

Susan and her six siblings grew up in a modest but loving home in Arviat, a mostly Inuit community on the western shores of Hudson Bay, although she was born in Fort Churchill, Manitoba. However, Susan's life was upended when she was eight years old while she was living in Rankin Inlet. This particular separation caused a rift inside of her that she has been healing from for years. She began composing poetry at the age of fifteen, and when Susan was given the option to leave her town, she seized the opportunity like a lifeline. After years, Susan signed with a major label for her third album, This Child, after being approached by a producer at CBC who was working on a compilation CD of Arctic artists.

This is Susan Aglukark's story of finding her Inuk self—the upheaval and turning points, the anguish and happiness, the destruction and recovery.

How It Escaped Our Attention By Heid E. Erdrich (Grades 7-9)

Heid E. Erdrich is an Ojibwe poet, author, and curator whose work explores themes of identity, environment, and the interconnectedness of Native and contemporary life. She is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and has published numerous award-winning poetry collections. In How It Escaped Our Attention, Erdrich examines the overlooked truths and silences that shape history, urging readers to recognize what has been hidden in plain sight. With incisive language and layered imagery, her poetry challenges assumptions, sparks dialogue, and invites reflection. Erdrich’s work continues to expand Indigenous literary presence while fostering awareness and transformation.

Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak By Danielle Daniel (Grade 4-6)

DANIELLE DANIEL is a writer, an award-winning children's book author and illustrator. Like many Francophones with origins in
Quebec, she shares a family link to an Indigenous ancestor, an Algonquin woman who inspired her first adult novel,
Daughters of the Deer. Her debut middle grade novel, Forever Birchwood, flows out of her connection to the land where she
was born and raised, her environmental concerns and her interest in Indigenous ways of stewardship. Her picture books
include Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox (winner of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and a Best 100 title at the NYC Public
Library) and You Hold Me Up, shortlisted for the 2018 Marilyn Baillie award. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC.

Alego By Ningeokuluk Teevee (Grades 1-3)

Ningeokuluk Teevee is an Inuit artist and author from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut, known for her dynamic drawings and storytelling rooted in Inuit tradition. Her acclaimed picture book Alego is a gentle, autobiographical tale that follows a young girl’s first clam-digging adventure with her grandmother. Through vivid illustrations and simple, heartfelt narration, Teevee captures the beauty of the land, the importance of family, and the passing down of knowledge across generations. Alego celebrates Inuit culture while offering all readers a window into everyday life in the North, affirming the power of story to preserve memory and foster connection.

War By Lee Maracle (Grades 10+)

Lee Maracle (1950–2021) was a distinguished Stó:lō writer, poet, and teacher, widely recognized as a trailblazer in Indigenous literature in Canada. Her work combined storytelling, activism, and scholarship, amplifying Indigenous voices and challenging colonial narratives. In her piece War, Maracle confronts the violence—physical, cultural, and systemic—that Indigenous peoples have endured, while also illuminating the resilience and strength that carry communities forward. With sharp insight and poetic force, she transforms personal and collective struggle into testimony and vision. Maracle’s voice continues to inspire generations, reminding readers that literature is both a weapon of truth and a path toward healing.

The Past is Always Our Present By Louise B. Halfe (Sky Dancer) (Grade 7-9)

Louise B. Halfe, also known by her Cree name Sky Dancer, is an acclaimed poet, social worker, and former Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Her writing is deeply rooted in Cree language, spirituality, and lived experience, often exploring the interwoven legacies of colonization, resilience, and healing. In The Past Is Always Present, Halfe confronts personal and collective memory, revealing how history continues to shape Indigenous identity and community. With unflinching honesty and lyrical power, her work honors survivors, challenges silences, and illuminates pathways of strength. Halfe’s voice stands as both witness and guide, affirming poetry’s role in truth and reconciliation.

To the miscoded By Jane Jonston Schoolcraft (Grades 4-6)

Jane Johnston Schoolcraft (1800–1842), also known as Bamewawagezhikaquay (“Woman of the Sound the Stars Make Rushing Through the Sky”), is recognized as the first known Native American literary writer. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to an Ojibwe mother and Irish father, she bridged oral tradition and written English verse. Her poetry often celebrates Ojibwe culture, family, and the natural world. In “To the Miscodeed”, she honors the spring wildflower—called miscodeed in Ojibwe—through tender imagery that reflects renewal, resilience, and beauty. The poem embodies her gift for blending cultural knowledge with lyrical expression, leaving a lasting literary legacy.