Taylor, C. (2001) On wings of a dragon. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside.
Author:
Cora Taylor
Summary:
Kour'el has been captured, and she cannot remember why. She must piece her memories together and figure out how the winged dragon Api'Naga comes into play. Meanwhile, Maighdlin and her friends Marika and Mala are taken from their homes to become slaves. Kour’el and Maighdlin must join forces to save the king and defeat the ruthless Queen Mariah.
Response and Reaction:
I also enjoy seeing fantasy series with heroines for the main characters that have young women as the target audience. The fantasy loving female is often a neglected demographic. Excellent writing makes this an enjoyable read. Taylor has a fun time playing with font to show the size of growing Api'Naga.
Format:
Young Adult Novel
Age Range:
15-18 years old
Themes:
Fantasy, magic, identity, journeys, dragons
Awards:
Manitoba Literary Awards - Young Readers Choice Award (NOMINATED) 2003
Saturday
Friday
The Subway Mouse
Reid, B. (2005). The subway mouse. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
Author:
Barbara Reid
Illustrator:
Barbara Reid
Summary:
Nib is tired of his life in the dark, dank subway. He is off to find the legendary Tunnel’s End. With his companion Lola, they face many perils along the way. But it is all worth it to reach Tunnel’s End.
Response and Reaction:
The illustrations in this book are amazing. Created with clay and mix medium they have incredible color, depth and humor. If the cute story does not already draw the reader in, the adorable pictures of Nib and Lola will.
Format:
Picture Book
Age Range:
4-8 years old
Themes:
Adventure, travel, family, love, storytelling
Awards:
CLA Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award (NOMINATED) 2004
Author:
Barbara Reid
Illustrator:
Barbara Reid
Summary:
Nib is tired of his life in the dark, dank subway. He is off to find the legendary Tunnel’s End. With his companion Lola, they face many perils along the way. But it is all worth it to reach Tunnel’s End.
Response and Reaction:
The illustrations in this book are amazing. Created with clay and mix medium they have incredible color, depth and humor. If the cute story does not already draw the reader in, the adorable pictures of Nib and Lola will.
Format:
Picture Book
Age Range:
4-8 years old
Themes:
Adventure, travel, family, love, storytelling
Awards:
CLA Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award (NOMINATED) 2004
Wow Canada!: Exploring This Land From Coast to Coast to Coast
Bowers, V. (1999). Wow Canada!: Exploring this land from coast to coast to coast. Toronto, ON: Owl Books.
Author:
Vivien Bowers
Illustrators:
Dan Hobbs
Dianne Eastman
Summary:
Told in the form of a scrapbook of a family trip, the different areas of Canada are explored. Containing numerous facts, pictures and anecdotes, many aspects of nature and life in Canada are covered. The weird facts and unique photos makes this book a delight to read.
Response and Reaction:
The various forms of mediums make this book eye catching and entertaining. It is perfect for flipping through or reading cover to cover. The personality of Guy and his family come through as fun and energetic.
Format:
Juvenile Non Fiction
Age Range:
9-12 years old
Subjects:
Travel, geography, history
Awards:
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Prize (WON) 2000
Information Book Award (WON) 2000
Author:
Vivien Bowers
Illustrators:
Dan Hobbs
Dianne Eastman
Summary:
Told in the form of a scrapbook of a family trip, the different areas of Canada are explored. Containing numerous facts, pictures and anecdotes, many aspects of nature and life in Canada are covered. The weird facts and unique photos makes this book a delight to read.
Response and Reaction:
The various forms of mediums make this book eye catching and entertaining. It is perfect for flipping through or reading cover to cover. The personality of Guy and his family come through as fun and energetic.
Format:
Juvenile Non Fiction
Age Range:
9-12 years old
Subjects:
Travel, geography, history
Awards:
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Prize (WON) 2000
Information Book Award (WON) 2000
A Handful of Time
Pearson, K. (1988). A handful of time. Markham, ON: Viking Kestrel.
Author:
Kit Pearson
Summary:
Patricia has been left with her aunt and uncle, who she has never met, for the summer. With a cousin who does nothing but torment her, Patricia knows the summer will be miserable. When she finds a pocket watch that transporters her back in time to when her mother was her age, Patricia learns a lot about why her mom is the way she is. With this information she can hopefully improve their damaged relationship.
Response and Reaction:
This is a moving story about the relationship between mothers and daughters. Patricia learns that a lot of who adults are came from when they were her age. It is difficult to get a grasp on the time of this book (both in the present and the past). The stigma surrounding Patricia’s parent’s divorce makes it feel older than 1988.
Format:
Juvenile Novel
Age Range:
10-14 years old
Themes:
Mothers and daughters, family, divorce, time travel
Awards:
CLA Book of the Year for Children Award (WON) 1988
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Prize (NOMINATED) 1988
Author:
Kit Pearson
Summary:
Patricia has been left with her aunt and uncle, who she has never met, for the summer. With a cousin who does nothing but torment her, Patricia knows the summer will be miserable. When she finds a pocket watch that transporters her back in time to when her mother was her age, Patricia learns a lot about why her mom is the way she is. With this information she can hopefully improve their damaged relationship.
Response and Reaction:
This is a moving story about the relationship between mothers and daughters. Patricia learns that a lot of who adults are came from when they were her age. It is difficult to get a grasp on the time of this book (both in the present and the past). The stigma surrounding Patricia’s parent’s divorce makes it feel older than 1988.
Format:
Juvenile Novel
Age Range:
10-14 years old
Themes:
Mothers and daughters, family, divorce, time travel
Awards:
CLA Book of the Year for Children Award (WON) 1988
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Prize (NOMINATED) 1988
Salmon Forest
Suzuki, D. & Ellis, S. (2003). Salmon forest. Vancouver, BC: Greystone Books.
Authors:
David Suzuki
Sarah Ellis
Illustrator:
Sheena Lott
Summary:
Kate’s father tells her the story of “Salmon Forest” as they walk along the river. Kate is able to see firsthand the lifecycle of the salmon. Every part of nature is connected to each other.
Response and Reaction:
This is an excellent introduction to the lifecycle of the salmon for children. It is present in an easy to understand format. Kates questions are similar to what a young child might ask, but might be annoying for older children who already have a grasp on the lifecycle. The glossary in the back seems small and tacked on.
Format:
Picture Book
Age Range:
4-8 years old
Themes:
Life cycle, nature, environmentalism, education
Authors:
David Suzuki
Sarah Ellis
Illustrator:
Sheena Lott
Summary:
Kate’s father tells her the story of “Salmon Forest” as they walk along the river. Kate is able to see firsthand the lifecycle of the salmon. Every part of nature is connected to each other.
Response and Reaction:
This is an excellent introduction to the lifecycle of the salmon for children. It is present in an easy to understand format. Kates questions are similar to what a young child might ask, but might be annoying for older children who already have a grasp on the lifecycle. The glossary in the back seems small and tacked on.
Format:
Picture Book
Age Range:
4-8 years old
Themes:
Life cycle, nature, environmentalism, education
Tapestry of Hope: Holocaust Writing for Young People
Borks-Nemetz, L. & Watts, I.N. (2003) Tapestry of hope: Holocaust writing for young people. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books.
Compilers:
Lillian Boraks-Nemetz
Irene N. Watts
Summary:
This moving book contains a collection of personal account, excerpts, short stories, plays and poems from Holocaust survivors or about the time surrounding World War II. The stories range from the time building up to the war to the time of the book being written and the effect that the Holocaust continues to have. The time line and further reading guide in the back are excellent resources for continuing to learn about this tragic time in history.
Response and Reaction:
Many of the accounts in this book are quite sad, as to be expected from a book on this topic. It is an incredibly important time in human history for young people to learn about. By keeping each piece brief, it will hold the reader’s attention and they are sure to find something to take away from this book.
Format:
Young Adult Non-Fiction
Age Range:
12 and up
Subjects:
Holocaust, survivors, stories
Awards:
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Prize (NOMINATED) 2004
Compilers:
Lillian Boraks-Nemetz
Irene N. Watts
Summary:
This moving book contains a collection of personal account, excerpts, short stories, plays and poems from Holocaust survivors or about the time surrounding World War II. The stories range from the time building up to the war to the time of the book being written and the effect that the Holocaust continues to have. The time line and further reading guide in the back are excellent resources for continuing to learn about this tragic time in history.
Response and Reaction:
Many of the accounts in this book are quite sad, as to be expected from a book on this topic. It is an incredibly important time in human history for young people to learn about. By keeping each piece brief, it will hold the reader’s attention and they are sure to find something to take away from this book.
Format:
Young Adult Non-Fiction
Age Range:
12 and up
Subjects:
Holocaust, survivors, stories
Awards:
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Prize (NOMINATED) 2004
More Pie
Munsch, R. (2002) More pie. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Inc.
Author:
Robert Munsch
Illustrator:
Michael Martchenko
Summary:
Samuel is hungry, STARVING even. After he finishes his cereal, two milkshakes, three stakes of pancakes and a fried chicken, Samuel’s mom refuse to make him anything else until lunch. So Samuel is off to the park for the pie eating contest. He should have enough to eat there.
Response and Reaction:
This is a fun book, but the illustrations were a little nauseating at time as the characters stuffed themselves to the point of being ill. Kids who feel like they never get quite get enough to eat will relate to Samuel’s plight. It is a fun read aloud with lots of chances for audience participation.
Format:
Picture Book
Age Range:
4-8 years old
Themes:
Hunger, eating
Author:
Robert Munsch
Illustrator:
Michael Martchenko
Summary:
Samuel is hungry, STARVING even. After he finishes his cereal, two milkshakes, three stakes of pancakes and a fried chicken, Samuel’s mom refuse to make him anything else until lunch. So Samuel is off to the park for the pie eating contest. He should have enough to eat there.
Response and Reaction:
This is a fun book, but the illustrations were a little nauseating at time as the characters stuffed themselves to the point of being ill. Kids who feel like they never get quite get enough to eat will relate to Samuel’s plight. It is a fun read aloud with lots of chances for audience participation.
Format:
Picture Book
Age Range:
4-8 years old
Themes:
Hunger, eating
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