Set on the cutthroat streets of Manhattan, Julie Berry’s novel, If Looks Could Kill, follows a murderer who finds himself on a collision course with a wrathful sisterhood of Medusas, whom his killings have unintentionally awakened. … More If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry
Sanei’s illustrations highlight the diversity of beings that the little girl appreciates throughout her day. Charming creatures like wandering geese, watchful sparrows, and a playful dog add whimsy and a sense of connectedness. The natural environment is depicted through an abundance of greenery, from light to dark. The brightness of Sanei’s palette makes the illustrations sparkle with animation. … More Head Full of Clouds by Joanne Schwartz, illus. Afsaneh Sanei
The overall premise was exciting and provided many opportunities for readers to get glimpses of some of the situations real astronauts in training find themselves in. I found Houston’s train of thought and actions to be engaging and easy to follow. … More Houston, Is There a Problem? by Eric Walters
Well-researched wilderness survival skills, such as how to start a fire without matches, how to carve into the side of a snowy mountain to check for avalanche risks, and how to snare a rabbit all work to make this story believable. I was there with the three Gunnarsson kids shivering under a Douglas Fur bough, hungry and waiting for my first morsel of freeze-dried food, and with them as they huddled together, dead quiet as searchers hike passed just metres away. … More Mountain Runaways by Pam Withers
Miles Morales Suspended touches on themes of identity, censorship, and the “patterns” of Miles’ life and upbringing through a combination of prose and poetry. The reader joins Miles for a day of in-school suspension, and it soon becomes apparent that something is afoot when termites start popping up and setting off his spidey-sense. Can Spider-Man solve this mystery? Or is this incident representative of something greater than defeating another bad guy? … More Miles Morales Suspended: A Spider-Man Novel by Jason Reynolds, illus. Zeke Peña
This is a beautiful book that really has it all. Based on real and tragic events that took place in Dutch island communities during the 1950s, it is a gripping adventure story which offers a moving and detailed portrait of life at the time. … More When the Dikes Breached by Martha Attema
In this middle-grade novel, real world issues such as poverty and bullying are explored in a kid-friendly manner. … More Willpower by Marty Chan
Review by Lisa Matthewson Orca Book Publishers, August, 2023 96 pages, paperback, $10.95 CAD, 9781459837218 Young Adult, Ages 12+ (Hi-Lo) Action/Adventure, Survival I wonder what time it is. My phone battery died hours ago, and I don’t have a watch. The rain clouds make it seem gloomy. Is it nearly night? I’m pretty tired. My … More Aftershock by Gabrielle Prendergast
With a beautiful and poetic narrative arc told by a meadow mermaid, this awe-inspiring tale
sends a message to young readers that anything is possible so long as you believe.
Written by Kallie George, I Am A Meadow Mermaid explores the power of imagination,
friendship, and adventure. The story follows a small-town girl who dreams of being a
mermaid and loves everything about the ocean. There’s just one problem: she’s a human who
lives in a field that is nowhere near the sea. Instead of letting this stop her, she goes on a
journey of the heart and soul proving that reality is what you make of it. … More I Am A Meadow Mermaid by Kallie George, illus. Elly Mackay
Review by GiGi Kang Orca Book Publishers, April 11, 2023 261 pages, paperback, $12.95 CAD, 9781459836730 Ages 9 to 12 Action/Adventure Fiction Excerpt to come with book’s release Imagine commanding a spacecraft at only fourteen years old. Houston Williams finds himself in this exact position in Mission to Mars by bestselling author Eric Walters, the … More Mission to Mars by Eric Walters
YOUNG ADULTING 