So if you’re looking for independent books that tell home-grown, weird, serious, strange, and joyful stories to pass on to a reader in your life, why not consider some of our favourites from Canadian Indie presses this 2024 season? … More Young Adulting’s Year-End Book Recommendations from Indie Publishers
Khodi is a biracial Afro-Caribbean writer, rapper, spoken word artist and educator based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Growing up in Moose Jaw, Khodi was often the only Black person in his school and one of few in his community, experiencing a wealth of microaggressions.
Reading the stories of Khodi’s life made me more aware of how important it is to have a Black Canadian perspective on anti-blackness and anti-racism. … More Stay Up: Racism, Resistance, and Reclaiming Black Freedom by Khodi Dill, illus. Stylo Starr
Jessie is the heart of the story and it was easy to follow along with her and to understand and sympathize with her choices as she discovered how to deal with crushes, friend troubles, and the general chaos of the first year of high school. … More Something More by Jackie Khalilieh
Our November 2024 First Page Feature is Galadriel Watson … More First Page Feature: Unfortunate Stars by Galadriel Watson
Sometimes when YA novels embrace societal issues such as cultural diversity or the sexuality spectrum, it can come across as self-righteous or as forced into the plot to convey a message. Finding Famous is the opposite of that. Josie is simply Iranian-American, and Farsi words and Iranian foods and traditions are naturally woven into the narrative. … More Finding Famous: A Mashad Family Novel, by Candice Jalili
When Mina leaves for the Goblin Market and doesn’t return, Millie dons her red cloak and sets out to find her. Ready to face the worst, Millie doesn’t shy away from the dangers as she faces the tricky and magical world of the Goblin Market. Using her wits, Millie will do everything to save her dear sister Mina and bring her home safe and sound. … More Into the Goblin Market, by Vikki Vansickle, illus. Jensine Eckwall
Wab Kinew has created a beautiful world that intertwines virtual reality and Anishinaabe culture in a wonderful way. Descriptions of the Floraverse are stunning and I felt myself get sucked into the ‘Verse, captured by Bugz’ adventures. Chapters often ended on cliffhangers, and I was unable to put the book down. … More The Everlasting Road by Wab Kinew
This book deals with the serious topic of abuse, and realistically portrays how a teenager would deal with someone they care about experiencing domestic abuse. Trace is a believable character, whose behaviour reflects that of a survivor. … More Wingman by Jean Mills
While Airlock is a short book, it has just the right amount of worldbuilding to make it a satisfying science fiction novella. The state of the planet is described in enough detail for the story to be logical without lingering too much on unnecessary information. … More Airlock by Tash McAdam
YAing News is back for the week of August 26! … More YAing News: Week of August 26th
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