By Spencer Miller
The theme of this year’s Canadian School Library Day was “A Book for Every Student.” The theme was chosen to celebrate every student’s right to read and to see themselves reflected in their reading choices. When I heard this year’s theme, I was reminded of attending a presentation from YA author Li Charmaine Anne at The Word On The Street Lethbridge earlier this fall. Li Charmaine Anne’s debut novel, Crash Landing, is an ode to queer identity and growing up in an immigrant community. It’s set in Vancouver during the 2010–2011 school year and follows high school senior Ash Chan as she falls in love with skateboarding and the new girl in school. While listening to Li Charmaine Anne describe the book, I had two distinct impressions:
- YA books exploring the intersections of queer, Asian, and Canadian identity didn’t exist in the early 2000s. Books like Crash Landing weren’t being published even 10 years ago.
- While this isn’t the only YA novel with a queer main character or an Asian-Canadian main character, or that explores skateboarding subculture, or that is set in Vancouver, it is the only queer-Asian-skateboarder-in-Vancouver YA novel that exists. Representation of intersecting identities matters.
Reflecting on the theme “A Book for Every Student” gave me the chance to celebrate that students today have access to a diversity of stories that I never did growing up. Today, there are books for all ages that explore multiple identities and ways of being across various genres. But just because these books exist doesn’t mean that students are finding them. School librarians play an important role in making these books discoverable.
To help you find a book for every student, I’m recommending some brand-new titles from Canadian independent publishers. Not so long ago, books like these didn’t exist. Let’s not miss our chance to read and share them today!
K-3 (Picture Books)
Book pitch: A non-binary child and their family put on a fun family fashion show in this colourful celebration of self-expression.
More details: Getting Glam at Gram’s is a colourful and inclusive picture book full of fashion, family, and fun! Join Alex and their family as they dress up and put on a fashion show after dinner at their grandma’s house. Dressing up encourages creative thinking, and strutting down the runway inspires confidence. So, after reading, get glam with your students and put on a fashion show!
Book pitch: Anishinaabe siblings run into trouble while out fishing in this story that features Ojibwe words and cultural practices.
More details: The Hawk Shadow is a compelling story about sibling bonds that showcases Indigenous storytelling traditions. A young girl named Serenity follows her big brother Ed to his fishing spot on Hawk River. When Ed falls into the river, a hawk swoops down to guide Serenity to help. The sibling dynamic is filled with teasing, jokes, and love.
Book pitch: A young Muslim boy rediscovers his family’s history in the World Wars while preparing to participate in a Remembrance Day ceremony.
More details: In Muhammad’s Recipe for Remembering, a young Muslim boy visits with elder members of his community to discover the untaught history of Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu soldiers who served in the World Wars. Rich historical details are included in both the story and the artwork. Muhammad offers a resonant reminder that on Remembrance Day, we “remember those whose stories have been told and those whose stories are yet to be told.”
K-3 (Chapter Books)
Book pitch: Alina welcomes her cousin Safi from Kenya to spend the summer with her family in Calgary. Unfortunately, they have nothing in common! Or so Alina thinks…
More details: Alina in the Deep is a sequel to the well-loved Alina in a Pinch. In this story, nothing goes according to plan for Alina after her cousin Safi arrives from Kenya. It appears Alina and Safi couldn’t be more different. Alina works through relatable feelings (like jealousy and disappointment) and big ideas (about family, culture, and identity) with kindness and thoughtfulness.
Book pitch: After struggling to fit in at her new school, a young Cree girl is transported to a magical forest powwow.
More details: Sarah Ponakey Storycatcher kicks off a new illustrated early chapter book series. In this first book, readers are introduced to Sarah and follow her through the ups and downs of moving to the city from her home community. Sarah struggles with missing her Kôhkom and her best friend Eden. After being transported to a magical forest powwow, Sarah is reminded that she is connected to her Cree culture no matter where she lives.
4-6
Book pitch: Filipina-Canadian and intrepid kid detective Danica de la Torre uncovers paranormal activity in her neighbour’s attic.
More details: Danica de la Torre, Certified Sleuth is the first book in a new paranormal mystery series. Danica and her partner Jack have competition when another kid detective named Kennedy moves in across the street. When Kennedy becomes convinced his house is haunted, Danica and Jack are hesitant to team up on the case, especially because Danica’s tita has forbidden her from meddling with the spirit realm.
Book pitch: A thirteen-year-old Indigenous girl defies the odds and endures nine days alone in the unforgiving barrens of northern Canada in this graphic novel based on a true survival story.
More details: Lost at Windy River is the true story of Ilse Schweder, a thirteen-year-old girl who got lost in a snowstorm while checking her family’s trapline in northern Canada in 1944. Facing freezing temperatures, wild animals, snow blindness, and frostbite, Ilse relies on traditional Indigenous knowledge passed down from her family to find her way home.
7-10
Book pitch: A Cree teenager faces off with homophobic bullies on the hockey team and learns to embrace his identity.
More details: Between the Pipes is a graphic novel that addresses bullying and homophobia in hockey culture through the experiences of an Indigenous teen. With the help of an Elder and a Two-Spirit mentor, thirteen-year-old Chase finds the strength to be proud of who he is.
Book pitch: A sixteen-year-old Chinese-Canadian coming of age in Toronto learns to rebel against standards of size, gender, race, and beauty in the year 2000.
More details: Age 16 is a story of three generations, told from teenage Roz’s point of view as she navigates her relationship with her mother and grandmother. This emotionally poignant graphic novel shows how generations impact each other.
11-12
Book pitch: In the 1980s an Indigenous teen battles against an ancient evil descending on his small town in the Northwest Territories.
More details: Beast is a YA supernatural horror novel set in a small isolated Indigenous community. When an ancient ghoulish spirit arrives in town determined to destroy The Treaty (a peace agreement between the Dogrib and the Chipewyan), it’s up to Lawson Sauron and his friends to stand together, honour the treaty, and overcome the Dead One and his servants.
Book pitch: After going viral, a Black Canadian teen musician wrestles with instant stardom and his bisexuality.
More details: Under All the Lights is a YA novel about finding your authentic self. Teenage musician Ollie Cheriet is getting a lot of attention. Too much attention. Struggling with the pressure from performing, social media rumors, and his romantic life, his mental health starts to spiral. With the support of his touring partner, Ollie learns to be vulnerable and share his authentic self through his music.
Book pitch: A queer historical fantasy coming-of-age novel inspired by Newfoundland’s folklore and mythology.
More details: A Seal of Salvage blends historical fiction with magic realism to tell a story about unrequited love between teen boys. Set in 1950s Newfoundland, the story follows orphan Oliver Brown growing up an outsider and surrounded by rumours about his mother, her mysterious past, and her untimely death.
Spencer Miller (he/him) is a teacher, writer, reader and basketball fan. He advocates for Canadian books in the classroom as the Editorial Coordinator of Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom, a program of the Association of Canadian Publishers. You can follow more of Spencer’s passion for books on Instagram @SpencerBMiller.