The titles in this posting are listed into sections for readers ages 8- 14+ including chapter books, books for middle years readers, YA fiction, Poetry. At least two of the titles are sure to appear on my list of 2024 favourite books.
See also a list of award winning titles presented on October 28th at the Canadian Children’s Book Awards for best in Canadian publishing , 2023,
Moreover, two spotlights are given to two special titles written by Uncle Larry’s nephews.
CHAPTER BOOKS: ages 8-11
ALI HOOPS by Evanka Osmak; illus Megan Chew
Fifth grader Ali has dreams of joining the girl’s school basketball team, not only because she loves the game, but she wants to share the experience with her best friend. Leila. Ali is dedicated preparing for the tryouts but has a hard time playing as good as Leila. This is story about perseverance and disappointments. Young people who are interested in the sports and being a member of a team, will cheer for Ali’s courage and determination as come to understand the meaning of competition.
EVERY LITTLE BIT OLIVE TRAN by Phuong Truong
Olive Tran, a Vietnamese girl, is about to celebrate her tenth birthday which is a major turning point in her life because she is now able to go to school without the accompaniment of her parent. Not only does she come learn about the meaning of being more independent but she becomes aware of racism in her world and try to understand how Asians, like her are treated cruelly. Phuong Tran, author of the picture book Everyone is Welcome, tells accessible – and important – stories of Anti-Asian racism and belonging.
SHOUT OUT
THE HOTEL BALZAAR by Kate DiCamillo; illus. Julia Sarda
Marta’s soldier father is missing and they young girl and her sad mother are living in a small room in the Hotel Balzaar. Mother cleans rooms in the hotel and warns her daughter that she musta be quiet like a little mouse. The curious gilr meets up with a mysterious countess guest of the hotel who promises to tell her seven stories in the coming days. Marta is entranced with the stories and their hidden meanings and hopes that the tales will help uncover the disappearance of her missing father. The tales are rich in narrative and mystery. How intriguing to read about an army general transformed into a talking parrot; a childless couple who were given a son who had the gift of singing like a nightingale; a nun who left the covent she lived in because she felt that God has abandoned her; a circus, tightrope walker.
Kate DiCamillo is a storyteller extraordinaire. Oh, how I wish I could write like DiCamillo. Oh, how lucky we are to have her words, her imagination, and stories of adventure, yearning and hope. Oh I wish, every teacher would share a title by this award-winning author with her students (perhaps starting with The Hotel Balzaar). This novella is certain to be at the top of my list of 2024 favourites. The artwork by Julia Vardas is spectacular: black and white images that sometimes fill the page or half-page with a number woodblock print-like images set in rectangles throughout the book. The Hotel Balzaar is the second of The Norendy Tales series. In the first book, The Puppets of Spelhorst, aa] king, a girl, a boy and an owl are puppets shut up in a trunk by an old sea captain who eventually come to life through the hands of two young girls and a maid. More please!.
Excerpt (p. 70)
“So,” said Marta, ‘if you will not let me ask about endings, maybe you will let me ask if there is more to the story.”
“Ah, well. More. There is always more,” said the countess.
FICTION: ages 9 -12
THE FAIRY TALE FAN CLUB by Richard Ayoade; illus. David Roberts
The premise of this book is quite clever. C.C. Cecily collects letters by concerned readers to send to fairy and folk tale characters to determine if life is being lived happily ever after. Each of the characters answers letters that have been forward to them (e.g. Little Red Riding Hood, Pinocchio, Humpty Dumpty,) British author, Richard Ayoade (The Book That No One Wanted to Read) is a very funny guy. I’m not sure that young people would ‘get’ his sense of humour and satire but that’s OK. They would be amused by the exchange of letters (no emails) and maybe just maybe be motivated to read or re-read familiar fairy tales. That’s a good thing. I’d also say that this book would inspire readers to write letters to book characters asking for clarification of story elements and asking questions about each character’s fate. Letters could be answered from the points of view of the characters. That’s a great thing. The detailed art work by David Roberts is terrific- and amusing too!
Sample (p. 10)
Dear Little Red Riding Hood (I’m sorry I don’t know your real name)
How can you be swallowed by a wolf and survive? Also, how is it possible to mistake a wolf for an old woman? On is grisly and scary, and the other is a wolf. Just kidding, ha ha! But to be serious, it didn’t sound realistic to me.
THE FRINDLE FILES by Andrew Clements
Andrew Clements final novel is “a tribute to great teachers, ce ourageous kids and the power of language.” (Jon Agee, New York Times, Sunday September 22, p. 22)
Andrew Clements is a master storyteller for having written over 20 books enjoyed by millions of grade four to seven readers. (The Landry News; In his first novel, Frindle (1987) we are introduce to Nick Allen who invented newfangled word for a ballpoint pen. Desipte battles with his fifth-grade teacher, Nick’s Frindle-brand became a phenomenon and a retail sensation. More than 24 years after Frindle fame, we meet Josh Willet a techno-obsessed sixth grade student who is is battling his technophobic English Language Arts teacher who forbids laptops and e-books in his class. Homework must be hadned in neatly on lined paper with work written in blue or black ink. When Josh discovers a Frindle pen, he believes something is up and he is determined to find out the truth about Mr. N’s background. Is Mr. N, (Mr. Allen Nicholas, the Nick Allen the hero of Friendle fame? Why is Mr. N hiding his true identity? Why is he so against the world of computers and social media? What Mr. N is passionate about is the “Strunk and White’s Elements of Style” syle guide, originally published in 1935 (Note: E.B White of Charlotte’s Web fame) which he asks his students to consult daily in order to consider the craft of being good writers.
The Frindle Files is another Clements engaging school adventures this time raising ethical questions regarding privacy, fairness, and the pros and cons of technology in modern times. The story revolves around a mystery crusade of a determined middle coder who attempt to put together pieces of a puzzle of internet piracy and hidden identity of a caring, quirky teacher who is fond of wearing Hawaiian shirts. One needn’t have read Frindle to enjoy this posthumous publication of one terrific children’s author (1949-2021). Pencil drawings(particlarly of pens) by illustrator Brian Selznick are scattered throughout.
OUT OF MY DREAMS by Sharon M. Draper
We first meet Melody Brooks in the novel Out of My Mind. Life is frustrating for this girl with cerebral palsy since she cannot speak, move, nor communicate her thoughts and wishes. Melody is however, a very smart girl with a photgraphic memory and a fierce desire to be normal. Draper wrote a sequel to the book entilted Out of My Heart where the girl, telling of Melody’s adventures at summer camp. In the third book, Out of My Dreams, Melody is given the opportunity to visit London and readers join Meldoy and her fellow travellers (a retired British actress and her and her adult companion) on a sightseeing excursion to such places as the Globe theatre, The British Museum, Buckingham Palace and the London Library and a rock concert. Thanks to help of her speech generating device, named Elvira, Melody is able to express herself most of the time. Participating in a an interntional symposium of Innovation, Discovery and Application (I.D.E A for innovative ideas to change the wolrd for the disabled. Through this experience and her friendships, Melody discovers she has the power to speak up, speak and ‘understand the power of hope, the power of ideas’ but most of all, the power of our dreams? This third book in the trilogy can be read as a stand-alone but readers who have cheered for Melody in two previous novels are certain to enjoy journeying with this smart, brave girl once again.
FICTION: YA, ages 12+
GATHER by Kenneth M. Cadow (2023)
“Stories aren’t for shocking, in my opinion. They’re for chewing on longer than you would a meal.” (p. 184)
1 is a resourceful, 10th grade teenager who fights to hold on to family and home while his mother struggles from addiction. His chance meeting with a stray dog, (who he names Gather) provides Ian with companionship and a reason to get through each day. Like many rural students his age, Ian struggles with poverty, is eager to find a job to help sustain him and is influenced by his friends who’s behaviour may or may not have different values than theirs. Hanging on to memories and lessons from Gramps, the neighbouring woodland and farming areas are very important to Ian. Ian is a smart guy, but the school system seems to be failing him. He is extremely dexterous and has a great ability to fix things gathering any materials that he comes across. The author brilliantly takes us into the head and heart of this teenager by presenting a first person narrative where the character is shown to be deeply reflective and critical of what life has given him. Throughout the novel, we are given many flashbacks which help to present a fully realized, realistic character. Evocative too is the Vermont setting, which is vital to Ian’s perspective on living. (“You are what you eat, you are what you do, and everything I learned to do, I learned here, in my town and on our land.” (p. 222)
This novel, nominated for National Book Award and winner of the 2024 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers Literature, is one of the finest books I’ve read this year. I loved the story. I loved the writing. I loved the voice of the protagonist. I’m assured that Kenneth M. Cadow has some of my favourite authors sitting on his shoulders: Gary Paulsen whose stories often shworwed characters surviving (and worshipping natural settings and J.D. Salinger who gave us Holden Caufield and his sardonic comments about the world around him. I’d say, too, that Elizabeth Stroud is whispering in Cadow’s ear as he tells stories about ‘interesting’ characters in our families and community who help to shape our lives.
This is the first young adult novel written by former teacher and principal, Kenneth M Cadow who writes: “In my teaching career, I have encountered dozens upon dozens of stories like Ian’s: kids whose spirits are threatened to be crushed by societal disregard. The kids who are able to pull through by the ingenuity of their skill set and the strength of character.” Gather is a monumental tribute to those students. This is an important story about resilience that many students who can connect too. It is an essential read for teachers who really want to ‘know’ their students. I strongly recommend this outstanding YA novel.
SHOUT OUT
TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW… Jason Reynolds
Let’s talk about sex, baby
Let’s talk about you and me
Let’s talk about all the good things
And the bad things that mayu be
~ Salt-N-Pepa
The novel is arranged in 8 sections, starting with the present (‘Right Now’ and moving backwards through time (Twenty-four minutes seconds ago; Twenty-four minutes before that…) until we learn about Neon and Arias first meeting (Twenty four months ag0. This clever device invites readers to gradually learn about the journey of these two characters’ trusting relationship and the learn about friends and family who help to carry them through their days. Jason Reynolds brilliantly captures the anticipation, the preparation, the hesitation, the nervousness, the excitement and the joy of two teenagers who have carefully planned to have sex for the first time. Reynolds writes that “the book is ‘for the young lovers who want to know what it is to feel safe and joyous while stumbling through maturation.” This “let’s talk about sex”story is a tender exposition that raises questions and answers them through honest conversations (Neon’s talk with each of his parents is priceless) about losing virginity. Twenty-fur Seconds from Now is teenage love story for all teenagers, and yes, for “Black boys who deserve love stories too.” (Reynolds / Acknowledgements). This is a book that will be read; a book that needs to be read. Must be read. Once again, bravo to you Mr. Reynolds.
POETRY
BLACK GIRL YOU ARE ATLAS by Renee Watson; illus. Ekua James (YA+)
Renee Watson is a poet and author of children’s literature titles (e.g., Piecing Me Together (YA): The 1619 Project: Born on the Water (picture book) and this semi-autobiograpical collection of poems is an deeply thoughtful celebration of Black girlhood drawn from Watson’s experiences of growing up. The anthology is presented in various poetic forms that serve as odes to the Black women in the poet’s life and is a call for Black adolescent girls to step into their power. Ekua James vibrant collage art pieces that accompany the words are poems unto themselves.
Excerpt (from “Altars”
Every girl…”needs to learn how to be n harmony with the music of her breath.”
Every girl growing into a woman
needs a teapot, a crockpot,
Needs to learn how to slow down,
slow down and wait.
Needs to learn how to steep,
how to take her time, simmer to a boil.
IN AND OUT THE WINDOW by Jane Yolen; illus. Cathrin Peterslund (ages 8 – 12)
I totally admire and respect the work of Jane Yolen for her contributions to children’s literature with over 400 published works in a variety of genres. I was excited to learn about her recent collection of over 100 poems organized into such themes as Home, Animals, School, Careers and the Calendar. Each section is introduced with an inspiring poem about writing poems (Why to Write a Poem; How to Write a Poem; Where to Write a Poem; When To Write a Poem etc.)The conceit of arranging these poems ‘in and out’ te window probvide an organizational framework for arranging the poem, but thematically doesn’t work all that much for me. Most poems are one page in length, some are very short, most have a rhyme pattern. I read the book chronologically, knowing as it is with many poetry (and short story) collections that I’d like some works more than others. I wish i could say that I liked more than I didn’t but there were only about a dozen pieces that got post-it note attention (e.g., A Family, Patter of Rain on the House, In My Locker, Catnip) As poet, Yolen puts a microscope on everyday occurrences. The poems seem to be best read aloud (as many poems are). Sometimes the punchlines landed other times, after re-reading pieces, I sighed, feeling that the poems didn’t carry me far into thought and feeling. Oh well. Having a new poetry anthology is cause for celebration. Having a new Jane Yolen publication is cause for congratulations. I admire the range of theme, form and length of the poems that appear in this collection. I was hoping to give this collection a five star review, /or maybe, maybe four, / I think i’d give it a rating of three / I yearned for something more. (illustrations were a throwaway).
ROBOT, UNICORN, QUEEN: Poems for your and me by Shannon Bramer; Irene Luxbacher (ages 8 – 12)
A range of topics are presented in this collection by Canadian poet Shannon Bramer (Climbing Shadows) inviting children to delve into the world of poetic language, familiar events and playful imagination. Topics include: a robot in the rain; practicing the piano; a broken plate; a loving pony; a tribute to the Iris; refusing to eat a sandwich; lying under sprinkler). Sample excerpts: “The toad toad me to sit and listen to her sing”; “I’m sewing a speckled starling in a tree”; The problem with this sandwich is that it is a sandwich”; “Please do not disturb the night owls thinking in the arms of trees.”If I were a pig / :zazzIf I were a pig I’d be a pig with pizzazz”. These are poems are splendid dreamlike adventures to be shared with young readers. . The staggering artwork by Irene Luxbacher are poems unto themselves created in fanciful abstract, dreamlike visions. Robot, Unicorn, Queen is the winner of the CCBC 2024 David Booth Youth Poetry book award.
THE UNBOXING OF A BLACK GIRla Shante (YA+)
As Shante navigates the city through memory, this timeless book illuminates the places where Black girls are nurtured or boxed in, through zazz
and poems about expectations, exploitations, love, loss, and self-realization,” (from Jacket description)
Angela Shante worked as a classroom teacher and has had a career as a poet / spoken word artist. This collection of poems inspects pivotal moments in Shante’s life, from childhood experiences, educational experiences, family and community. The Unboxing of a Black Girl is a tribute to Black joy as well as sobering events such as sexual assault, poverty, menstruation, hair perms, masking and mental health. Many pages contain words of less than 20 pages. Some pages tell stories about her upbringing, A strong feature of this book are the inclusion of footnotes that encourage readers to listen to songs, watch movies and read literature about Black Girls’ experiences. I am so glad to have spent time with these remarkable poems, which, as a white guy, opened up doors for me into the life of Black girls who feel boxed in.
Excerpt (p. 87)
Black is Not a Monolith (a pair of 5-7-5 haikus)
it can not be boxed
it can not be defined, and
it can not be bought
Black is divine, see
Black can be anything we
decide it to be.
A PROUD UNCLE:
SPOTLIGHT ON GREAT BOOKS BY TWO GREAT NEPHEWS
PASTA TO THE MAX & FLAVOURS TO THE MAX by Max Swartz O’Neill
Received a message from my great nephew this week that he has two little cookbooks listed on Amazon. The recipes in each book have been created and tested by my nephew Max, who is 11 years old. Hooray for Max! Yummy! Yummy!
Great recipes,
Great cook.
Great nephew,
Great book!
THE RED COURT: Shattered Skies, Volume I, by Matthew Hastie (YA)
My great nephew, Matthew (age 23) has published his first novel, a fantasy adventure extraordinare! WOW!
This novel was given to me in manuscript edition. The book has just been rleased as an Amazon titles, crossing fingers so that lovers of fantasy adventures can enjoy this thrilling book. The author is a great storyteller and expertly creates other world characters and plots of good and evil. He cleverly alternates the narratives between chapters featuring 1. Grayson 2. Violet and keeps readers guessing, ‘What happens next?’
Kudos to Matthew Hastie for presenting a wild ride of a book. His ease with language, his invention of contemporary and other worldly characters and his use of sharp dialogue, (and his wit) contribute to mighty fine read. Rick Riordan must be sitting on Hastie’s shoulders (Matthew read all is books) and there is no doubt that the twists and turns of Marvel comics (Matthew is addicted to these) have helped shape the action of The Red Court. Matthew Hastie pours his imagination onto the page and offers readers exciting cinematic events (particularly the many battle scenes), sure to engage readers who love entering a world of doors that transport to other universes, magical deeds, bloody combats, powerful swords, premonitions, dreamscapes, tyrants, elves, dwarves, dragons, minotaurs, evil parents, friendships – and yes, romantic relationships!!!
The Red Court is a remarkable accomplishment!
Here is the back cover synopsis:
When a group of estranged friends reunite five years after the disappearance of one of thei own, they each find themselves on separate paths.
Burdened with guilt, Grayson will stop at nothing to find their lost friend. While Gray finds himself in an otherworldly conflict, Violet and the others uncover a conspiracy that dates back to their towns foundling
As connections form between these two disparate conflicts, it becomes clear that they’re fighting on two sides of the same war. But with their enemies consolidating power, time is running out, and the fate of two worlds hangs in balance.
DISCLAIMER: Fantasy Adventure is not my genre of choice. Also, I’m not usually fond of books that are more than 700 pages. But I really enjoyed this one and I was honoures to be given the chance read it in advance of its publication.
Here is the dedication to the book, (which made me weep!)…
“Dedicated to my Uncle Larry, who never let me stop reading!”
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