From the first chapter, The Revenge Game piques the interest of readers through its nonlinear storytelling. The leading question as readers make their way through the novel becomes: “How did this happen?” This book has a strong voice—comical, feminist, and curious—leading the reader through a series of clues to piece together. … More The Revenge Game by Jordyn Taylor
What truly stands out is the inclusiveness of the book as a host of under-represented communities find a place in the story. Moulton truly provides a rich tapestry of gender, sexuality, race, religion and culture without tokenizing or stereotyping these characters. Deeper questions about familial bonds, the historical Othering of marginalized groups, and the difficulty of ‘doing the right thing’ are also addressed, making it a more rewarding and layered experience. … More Don’t Want to Be Your Monster by Deke Moulton
To tell a story that is inherently drenched in heartache, not to mention to such a young audience, requires much tact. Vicki Grant has not taken this responsibility lightly; with her expert hand, she has infused a sorrowful story with just the right amount of comfort, hope, and sparkle. … More A Green Velvet Secret by Vicki Grant
This graphic novel is not only a brilliant addition to the horror genre, but a sincere attempt to capture the complexities of modern Indigenous life. … More Bad Medicine by Christopher Twin
What I really appreciated about Someone is Always Watching is the strength of Blythe’s voice. As the main character, the story is told from her first-person point of view, and I could feel her feelings with her, moment by shocking moment. … More Someone is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong
Have you ever taken a personality test and felt dissatisfied with the result? According to a website called Fatefinder.com, eleven-year-old Leo is an Auditor. This means he is curious and cautious, but he’s tired of being labelled so. His dad is a Problem Solver, his mom is a Counselor, and his younger sister, Lizzie, is an Adventurer, which Leo wishes he could be. Luckily, his wary ways are tested on a trip to visit his Grandpa on Heron Island in Western British Columbia. When the beehives that Leo’s Grandma cared for before her passing away are stolen late at night, Leo, Lizzie, and Grandpa undertake a bold mission of getting the hives back—they call it their big sting. … More The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney
Cheese sandwiches, Crocs, and PlayStation. These are eleven-year-old Green Bennett’s favourite things. Green is excellent at math, reads a lot of books such as The Hardy Boys, and is happy with who he is. Oh, and he has autism spectrum disorder, also known as Asperger’s Syndrome, but that is his least defining quality of all. However, when Coach Nelson’s necklace holding his late wife’s ring goes missing, Green is the first person everyone suspects because he’s different. His older brother, Cedar, is the thirteen-year-old star player on the basketball team and the only one who believes Green’s innocence. … More Butt Sandwich and Tree by Wesley King
What if you weren’t at all who you thought you were?
Iris Hollow and her two sisters Vivi and Grey went missing mysteriously ten years ago. When they returned home one month later, their dark hair turned white, their eyes went black, and strange, magical things started happening around them. No one knows what happened to them during the month they were gone, and neither do the three girls. One day, Grey disappears again, leaving her sisters a cryptic note. Iris and Vivi set out in search of her, but the clues reveal that Grey and their parents have been keeping a much more dark and ominous secret from them. … More House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
A buried treasure has the potential to refresh a town’s understanding of its own history. In Below the Surface, thirteen-year-old, curly-haired Theo is on summer break uncovering Cedarbrook’s most puzzling mysteries. The river under Sawyer’s Bridge is Theo’s favourite place in the town, but the bridge is said to be haunted by the ghost of an old traveller. He isn’t convinced, and instead visits regularly to search for treasure. That is, until he finds a pocket watch linked to the ghost, and the rumours begin to feel more possible. … More Below the Surface by Allison Finley
Kaila Johnson reviews ‘Spells for Lost Things’ … More Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch
YOUNG ADULTING 