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
Qayum’s storytelling is straightforward and direct. She refrains from exploring the inner terrains of her characters’ minds, or using literary devices to convey the gravity of grief and pain. Instead, she states the facts of the events of their lives using a subdued tone, and that in itself is enough to put readers in the characters’ shoes. … More Zia’s Story by Shahnaz Qayumi, illus. Nahid Kazemi
When Alina is selected to join her class’s advanced math group, she is faced with the best and the worst of her new school. Between incessant bullying, the struggle of trying to impress a group of friends from a completely foreign culture, auditions for the school play, and an embarrassing last name, Alina has a whole lot on her plate. … More The Unlovable Alina Butt by Ambreen Butt-Hussain
The writing in Melanie Jackson’s The Fifth Beethoven reflects its target age-range well. The book tackles some tricky topics, and I appreciated how the nuanced the approach was to the wealth imbalance and housing crisis in Vancouver. Another highlight of the book for me was Zandi’s character and personality throughout. She seems to be one of the main constants in the book. She is steady, knows what she wants, and is determined to get it. She is the real hero of the book, and while she is only meant to be the love interest to Nate, she does so much more. … More The Fifth Beethoven by Melanie Jackson
The characters in Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels are well-rounded and believable, with each undergoing meaningful growth throughout the story. Onyeka herself is a relatable and likable protagonist, grappling with her own insecurities and fears while striving to protect those she loves. Supporting characters like Adanna, Niyì, and Hassan add depth to the story, each bringing their own unique strengths and weaknesses to the table. … More Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels by Tolá Okogwu
At no point is Rae admonishing, despite the fact that the environmental crisis we are living in might demand it. Instead, she provides the reader with the base information of how water bodies work and then speaks to the ways in which humans have manipulated these ecosystems—through dams, systems of irrigation, among others—and the negative effects this has had not only the environment, but also on particular groups of people. … More Upstream, Downstream: Exploring Watershed Connections by Rowena Rae
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
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
As the third and final book in the Secrets of the Sands trilogy, The Oracle of Avaris is full of adventure, humour, romance, mythology, history, and fascinating characters! … More The Oracle of Avaris by Alisha Sevigny
Review by Claudine Yip
Burgeoning poet and eleven-turning-twelve-year-old Mona Hasan has an opinion about everything, so it’s only fitting she has a diary to record all her thoughts. … More The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan by Salma Hussain
YOUNG ADULTING 