Every novel can be considered to be ‘original’ but sometimes the content or format make a book different than others in the genre. Sometimes these books are particularly UNIQUE for the choice of story and /or the way the story has been told. Several of the 2025 / 2026 books (and two from 2020) in this listing qualify for being ‘something completely different’ (e, g., a novel about hosting animals to the afterlife; a graphic novel/ picgure book told, mostly told in full-spread monochromatic pages with real/surreal images; a novel told with chapters in mixed up orders, a story preented in sijo, a tradiional Korean verse form).
JULIA AND ROMANO by Eric Walters / YA
When Julia’s mother moves her across the country,to Campbell River, B;.C, teenager Julia Anderson is pissed off since she will be missing her friends, her boyfriend and the urban city of Toronto. Before long she meets charming, handsome Cody and they quicly develop a trusting amorous friendship., The problem: Julias’ mother, a lawyer is battling an environmental issue to preserve the cutting down of trees and Cody Romano’s father runs the local mill and fights to preserve the logging industry which means saving jobs.. As Julia and Cody’s love grows, they realize that they must keep their relationship a secret but everybody knows everybody in the small coastal community and tensions mount as the court trial unfolds and protests and damage arise. Eric Walters knows how to tell a good story and he’s done another fine job of digging into the minds and hearts of young people. Applause, too, to Walters for capturing people and places of lfe in a small community as if he’s lived there all his life. Of couse, as the title suggests, allusions to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet story filter throughout the narrative, adding to the enjoyment of this engaging read.
JUST ONE GIFT by Linda Sue Park; Illus. Robert Sae-Heng / illustrated novella / Poetry
Make a list of all the people you are related to. Make a list of all your friends. Make a list of all other people in your life (neighbour store owner, baby sitter). Choose one of those poeple and imagine that you could give them a realistic gift (no unicorns or magic wands). If you could give someone in your life the perfect present – just one gift – what would it be? A teacher gives her class the assignment by asking Linda Sue Park celebrates things large (the space to grow a garden; a restaurant) and not so large (a new pair of Nike shoes, a signed baseball, a thank you note to a bus driver; a parakeet) as students in their class share their poignant answers. The format of this book was inspired by sijo, a traditional Korean verse form which are short three-line poems, each line comprising thirteen to seventeen syllables, each line fulfilling a specific purpose. This short novella (71 pages), a companion to the author’s previous publication The One Thing You’d Save inspires readers to pay attention to the people of their lives.
ONE TIME by Sharon Creech / 2020
Sharon Creech, you write great books. I have been a Creech fan since reading Love That Dog and particularly enjoyed other titles written in verse format (e.g., Hate that Cat, Heartbeat,Moo). Though written in 2020, I was very pleased to encounter One Time. I so loved this book. Gina Filomena is has a mighty imagination that distinguishes her from other students in her class. She has met her match and connection with her new mysterious neighbour, Antonio, who braves the world with the a welcoming smile. Miss Lightstone, an extraordinary teacher is just the person that Gina,and her classmates need as someone to ignite creativity and enrich imagination. What an amazing teacher Miss Lightstone, is. Her free writing ‘experiments’ with writing topics are to be admired (and copied). Such practices as collecting words, fictitious family trees, recording the first sentences of novels motivate students to freely xpress themselves. The first message displayed on the board is the question “Who are you?” (and Later, Who could you be?’ inspires her students – and readers – to reflect and wonder. Every kid needs a Miss Lightstone in their life and for Gina, this person is the grown-up she needs as she learns to adjust to life.
The story is presented in 50+ short chapters each with a title that encapsulates Gian Filomena’s experiences. (e..g, . The Blue Frog, The Smile, The Moon and the Lake, Crows, The Hole in the Room.) The chapters could in fact could have been written as ‘diary entries since each chapter serves as a vignette of the character’s life and wise reflections of events that surround her. Readers who require ‘plot’ development may not be as engaged with this book as I was. This novel is introduced with a quotation from poet Mary Oliver “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” and concludes with another Oliver snippet. I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing, as though I had wings.,” ‘Nuf said. Thank you, thank you Sharon Creech for One Time.
NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE by Sarah Hagger-Holt / 2020 / Transgender parent
Everything is rather normal in Izzy’s family, except for one thing. When her Dad announces that he is coming out as Danielle, Izzy is fearful of what may become of her family. How will the twelve-year old girl, her older sister and younger brother handle the changes as her father transitions from Dad to Danielle / Dee. How will the kids in the school and people in the community handle this news. Nothing Ever Happens Here is a poignant and honest handling of being transgender issues. The story also is a powerful story for standing up for family and for fighting for what is right ({You’re right, when something isn’t fair it is important to sadn up for what you believe in.” (p. 203). Though written in 2020, this novel is an important read about transphobia that connects to a number of personal narratives today = and tomorrow.
THE UNLIKELY TALE OF CHASE & FINNEGAN by Jasmine Warga / Anthropomorphic narrative
It may seem unlikely that a dog and a cheetah would be best companions but when the two animals are brought together the dog (Finnegan) must help Chase (the cheetah) to gain confidence to perform for as part of an educational program for children at the zoo. Finnegan and Chase are each dealing with loss in their lives but they find comfort and courage and safety in the training program led by the supportive and encouraging Basma. The story is told in short chapters with alternating perspectives. Jasmine Warga has done a fine job of gathering research. Moreover, she expertly captures the inner thoughts and feelings of dog and cheetah as they communicate with each other adn the humans who care from them. The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan is another remarkable anthropomorphic narrative, a genre that I’m quite fond of (e.g., The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, Pax by Sara Pennyacker, The Eyes of the Impossible by David Eggers)
WHEN TOMORROW COMES by Tae Keller`
Newbery Medal winning author, Tae Kller (When You Trap a Tiger (2023) has written a new novel that is told through the voices of three seventh-grade characters as well as the perspective of a tree Naomi, Vi and Arthur used to be best pals but the triangle friendship has waned. are, for the most part good friends. When they were a bit younger discover a book of prophecies and now, a prophecy of fire and destruction brings them together on a quest. There seem to be three essential plots 1) finding the second book of prophecy to prevent calamity b) Vi’s new developing romantic relationship with the coolest dude in the school who sends out an embarrassing and inappropriate photo that Vi sent him 3) Wildfires are burning in the shadows of Seattle. And oh yes, the tree has its’ own story to tell about how the book, the prophecies and the dangerous fires came to be. I wish I liked this book more than some others have. Any one of these young teenager stories needs attention but the novel seems to meander make this a sprawling piece of fiction. I wasn’t particularly captured by the quest to find a second prophecy book that would predict the future and I was expecting a story about the threat of fires in the community, but this issue didn’t seem to be the central issue of the novel. The passages of the tree as chorus bringing a historical background to events intrigued, but I gradually found them to be tedious entries. However, Keller does a fine job of inspecting middle-school relationships. There seems to be good intentions in telling an urgent story of important issues of the environment and male toxicity and the potential danger of social media, but I found that too much breadth interfered with depth. I feel that any one of these issues on its own would have made this a more compelling read.
NOTE: Those kids on the cover seem far younger than grade seven tweenagers.
NOTE: A jarring comment that appeared in a Goodreads review reads: “Unable to continue this book due to LGBTQ content. (Arthur has two dads). “Oh my!” , says I.
TWO NEWBERY HONOR WINNERS 2026
The following two titles were both Newbery Honor winners this year.
THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAZE by Derrick Barnes
Henson Blaze is the hero of Great Mountain Mississippi and in the first 100 pagess or so we learn how much he is admired and respected by the whitefolk citizens. After all, thirteen-year old Henson is a star football player and his prospects to play on he high school team are celebrated. When the narrative takes us to the season’s opening game where everyone cheers on the talented Henson, the young teenager learns of a horrific incident that involved police brutality over a young black boy who was a loyal friend to Henson. Henson is forced to make a decision: Football fame or fighting justice. While deciding to withdraw from the sport, the town is emphatically divided in their support.Henson’s father, a leader in the community helps his son think about his destiny and consider that greatness can mean different thing. Also, the inclusion of heritage stories about experiences from the past that appear throughout the book provide some meaningful contexts about the Black Experience and Anti-Black experiences. Derrick Barnes tells a powerful story centred on a black ‘stars’ being responsible for the entertainment of others. (“This is a story about – along with other pertinent themes – America’s strange obsession with the Black body: for labor and entertainment” (author’s note, p. xi). The Incredibly Human Henson Blaze is more than a novel about community, self-discovery and pursuing dreams. It is a tale of “boyhood, manhood, sonhood and fatherhood and the blues.” (Sabaa Tahir). Derrick Barnes s picture books (Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut and I Am Every Good Thing) are rich tributes to the Black experience. Derrick Barnes you too are a hero.
from the Author’s Note (p. xiv)
“Don’t force yourself to fit neatly and quietly into the perception of those who do not have your best interests at hear, in their narrow-minded definition of who they think you are supposed to be. Be who you want to be…Hopefully, Henson will live with you for a long time, and will motivate you to never stop growing, changing and being the best version of yourself every single day for the rest of your beautiful lives.”
THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartmena / Anthropomorphic narrative / Death, Loss and Remembrance
Judging the book by its cover , with an illustration of a one-eyed fox wearing aburgendy cape and the word ‘dead’ appearing twice in the title readers know that they are in for an intriguing read. What an original story this is! Clare (he/ him) is the undead fox who ‘lives’ in the state of the not quite dead, but not quite alive. His mission, as Usher, is to guide souls to their final resting place. Did I mention that this was quite an ‘original’ tale? For six years, Clare has fulfilled his responsibilities as much as he enjoys his mushroom garden. All is upset with the arrival of a badger named Gingersnipe who is unable to leave Deadwood and togther badger and fox journey to find a solution to why Gingernipe is not able to enter one of the four realms of The Afterlife: Peace, Pleasure, Progress, Pain. The WOW black and white full-page illustrations that accompany each chapter bring the setting and characters to life. I really really enjoyed reading Aubrey Hartman’s exquisitely crafted writing and her inventive uncovering of death, loss and eternity is both delightful and grim.
Excerpt
“He reached the tortoise, who like Hesterfowl’s shack, looked even older up close. Blooms of moss grew in patches on his time-smoothed shell. His cracked and scaly skin sagged in puzzling places. All in all, Clare supsected the rock belly would be welcomed into the Afterlife very, very soon.” (p.133)
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT…
Each of these two books is unique a) in its formatting and b) in its discombobulated, playful, absurd plunges into the world of an unbelievable wild adventure. Both books serve as remarkable creations from genius talents – not for everyone’s tastes, especially for those seeking straightforward narrative. I’d say that both Peter McCarty and Philip Stead’s work as author and illustrator are for strong middle age and older readers. Those who choose to patiently embark on either of these novels – and stick with it – are in for a daring, oh-so-clever rumpus of a read,
THE FIVE WOLVES by Peter McCarty
The jacket blurb helps to conveniently summarize what this novel is about:” Across oceans, through fields, and down tunnels, five daering wolves traverse the planet in search of wonders to draw and paint. All the while, a disemobied narrator spins he tale of heir absurdist adventure and asks big questions: What is art? And who does it belong to?
Peter McCarty’s book is part grand picture book and part graphic novel. The Arrival by Shaun Tan comes to mind, as does the graphic novels by Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret; The Marvels,) Pages of wordless, grayscale, monochromatic, intricate art work fill the pages. Verbal text is executed with meticulous hand lettering, mostly in rectangular panels filled with a swirling montage of hundreds of words and phrases. Each panel features narrative displayed in bold font. For most of the book verbal text is in calligraphic blue font, but many pages later in the book are presented in dull russet-like shades of brown.This is hard to describe. You have to see it to believe it. It’s important to read the bold print patiently and if you so choose, let your eyes wander over the hundreds of words twisted in the background of each panel. The story isn’t told in a straightforward way and making sense of words and pictures may be taxing for many. Each reader will bring their own meaning – and questions – to what they see/read (and don’t see/read on each spread – and that’s a good thing. This is an ideal book for re-visiting and re-reading to better connect the dots.
The Five Wolves is a phantasmagoria of real and invented creatures and surreal settings. Clam seascapes, a big fish attacking a boat, fancy cat in hats firing a horrible cannon, flying Yerbas, hundreds of intelligent rabbits, a young boy donning a sword and shield, a princess plucked off her pony, an unbelievable cake and five artistic wolves traveling around the planet make for a wild and weird adventure drawn from the mind of a brilliant author illustrator. ‘Weird’ be a good word to describe this book. It is certainly a marvels of a publication in its awesome execution. For those seeking something completely different, daring, whacky, puzzling ,super- imaginative, mind-boggling and funny you’re in for a unique reading adventure.
Excerpts
“Art is not funny if it is blowing away.” (p 47)
“Look! the cat painted a chicken! It is a very nice chicken. I think so. ” (p. 57)
“Before you go, ” says ghe smart ra bbig, “we shall replenish your ar supplies with the same materials used to paint hse walls. Brushes of the finest fur, pigments made from he mos precious minerals, plaster to make eternal frescoes, and I will come with you. I will be the first rabbit to paint outside in a thousand years.” (p. 135)
“… and the fire goes Fwah! Fire is very bright (p. 179)
“Flap, flap, flab, flip, buzz, buzz, bizz, bizz, whip, whip, flip, flap, flap, flap, flap, flap, It’s The Flying Yerbas. Boooo! Nobody likes the Flying Yerbas!’ (p.244-5)
A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC or LIKE LIGHTNING IN AN UMBRELLA STORY: A story out of order by Philip Stead
The jacket blurb helps to conveniently summarize what this novel is about: “It is a tale of precisely twent-four goats and how they became free of heir tiresome burden. It is a tale of a twelve-year old goatkeeper on a quest to save the life of her greatest friend . It is a tale of bravery. It is a tale of luck. It is a tale out of order – a tale whose first chapter is lost insdie the noggin of a once-extraordinary magician, in accessible not only to him, butto the author as weell. We can only hope it will be revealed in time.”
Yes, the chapters are out of order (that didn’t bother me too much since each chapter was filled with adventure and wit), Yes, there are twenty-four goats (one of them a three-legged goat), who together are given the burden of being the foundation upholding the king’s castle. An old tree, that grants wishes transforms itself into a wheelbarrow. The Forest of Disappointment, The Mountain of Regret, a tollbooth, swamps, vultures, alligators, sea creatures all play a part in young Bernadette the Brave’s quest to capture her turtle (named Perseverance) before it is turned into a meal for the king. Latin phrases are spread throughout (e..g., ‘Omni mea culpa’ (It’s all my fault); ‘In media res’ (In the middle of things); ‘Finis Felix’ (a happy ending); Morals abound: “Most stories have only one moral.Some have none at all. This story has several – twenty-four to be exact” (p. 24) . Throughout the book, the author sits in hut in mountain wonders what he could write, should write to be helpful and specific (“When writing a story it is important to be specific. Otherwise, the reader will have no choice but to address any lack of specificity with their own imaginations. This can lead o disastrous results.” (p. 129). Yes, author meets his own disastrous adventure. A Potion, A powder, A Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm: a story out of order, stands on the shoulders of The Phantom Tollbooth (Norman Juster), A Barrel of Laughs, a Vale of Tears (Jules Feiffer) And A Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket) and anything by David Walliams. I myself got somewhat bogged down by all that happened from story that jumped from page to page, paragraph to paragraph but I sort of hung in there. Philip Stead’s black and white illustrations are sublime (I probably would have liked some more full-page images throughout). For those seeking something completely different, daring, whacky, puzzling,super- imaginative, mind-boggling and funny you’re in for a unique reading adventure.
Some morals:
There is no use paddling in a river that cannot decide which way it is going.
Imprecise wishes lead to imprecise results.
Never hold your umbrella aloft in a lightning storm
It is never lucky to be unkind.
It is better to do one thing well than two things poorly.