Bonechiller by Graham McNamee

Title: Bonechiller

Author: Graham McNamee

Publish Date: September 2008

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Pages: 176pp

ISBN: 0553494279

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Supernatural

Annotation: Danny and his three friends encounter a soul-stealing beast that has been making young people disappear from their small town in Ontario, Canada.

Plot Summary: Danny and his father have moved to Harvest Cove, a small town just north of Barrie on the shores of Lake Simcoe. Danny has three close friends he hangs out with; Ash, Howie and Pike. It is the dead of winter, which means the weather is the coldest of the season. One night, after being out with his three friends, Danny is running home, and he is bitten by something. It was too dark to see what it was, some sort of beast/monster that moves quickly. The bite leaves him with ice in his veins, and later, with voices in his head, and nightmares that seem real. As he becomes increasingly and mysteriously ill, he realizes that his life is in danger. Danny and his friends decide they must kill this beast themselves as they have found disturbing statistics about kids who disappear every generation on the coldest winter nights. While dealing with this beast and feeling ill, Danny is simultaneously dealing with the death of his mother, reconnecting with his father, and falling in love with Ash.

Personal Response: I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller/horror story—it was a wild ride set in a lackluster little town. Filled with plenty of supernatural elements, along with a romance and what I found to be the most meaningful theme of the story in which was the reconnection of Danny with his father and his coming to terms with his mother’s death.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Coming to terms with death. Reconnecting.

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Winter, Supernatural, Paranormal Relationships, Boxing, Kidnapping, Nightmares, Monsters, Native American, Death, Father and Son Relationships,

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Black Box by Julie Schumacher

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd

The Missing Girl by Norma Fox Mazer

Whaleshinger by Welwyn Wilton Katz

Title: Whaleshinger

Author: Welwyn Wilton Katz

Publish Date: October 2002

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Pages: 212pp

ISBN: 0888991916

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Seventeen year old Nick is not yet over the death of his older brother and sixteen year old Marty has learning difficulties. On a scientific field trip on the California coast, these two teenagers come together and share an empathic bond with two grey whales.

Plot Summary: Seventeen-year-old Nick is feeling hurt and angry about his brothers death. To get away from everyone at home in Vancouver, he accepts a research job for a conservation group on Point Reyes and Drake's Bay. He meets Marty, an intensely shy sixteen-year old who seems to have her own set of disabilities. It is these qualities that help Marty communicate with a whale mother and her baby. Together, Nick and Marty discover that the conservation project is a front for a plan to rob the treasure of Sir Francis Drake’s sunken frigate. Nick and Marty make an uncomfortable conformation and experience an earthquake.

Personal Response: A deeply felt novel with a multi-layered storyline of science, love, loss, treasure, and a whale mother with an ailing baby. Katz writes beautifully and depicts deeply touching relationships—the love between Marty and Nick and the love they share with the mother whale and her baby.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Teen angst.

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Death, Depression, Teen Angst, Anger, Relationships, Family Relationships, Love, Whales, Ecology, Environment, Ocean, Sex, Thievery, Confrontation, Empathy, Earthquake,

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The Sky Is Falling by Kit Pearson

The Third Magic by Welwyn Wilton Katz

The Hidden World by Alison Baird

The Kitty Ran Up the Tree by Denis Lee

Title: The Kitty Ran Up the Tree

Author: Denis Lee

Illustrator: Nora Hilb

Publish Date: April 2009

Publisher: Key Porter Books

Pages: 16pp

IBSN: 1552638138

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Children/Action Poetry

Annotation: Action poetry about movements and incorporating cats and dogs.

Plot Summary: Action poetry utilizing dogs chasing cats up trees and a child dressed as a cat.

Personal Response: Part of the series, Alligator Tales, Dennis Lee’s action poetry is both witty and delightful. If I had a child I think I would have lots of fun reading this to them, and acting out the

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Fingers, toes, tickles, and laughter during the reading experience

Age Range: For infants or children in preschool

Subjects: Cats, Dogs, Action Poetry, Poetry, Children

Spot Giant’s Treasury by Eric Hill

Awake and Dreaming by Kit Pearson

Title: Awake and Dreaming

Author: Kit Pearson

Publish Date: September 2008

Publisher: Penguin Group

Pages: 240pp

ISBN: 0143056379

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Nine-year-old Theo in Vancouver, Canada and desperately wants a new family, in fact she dreams and wishes for one, and one day her dreams and wishes come true.

Plot Summary: Theo is nine years old and lives with her mother in Vancouver, Canada. They are extremely poor and Theo is often neglected by her immature mother, so she decides to go live with her aunt in Victoria. While aboard the ferry, Theo falls into a deep sleep. When she awakes, she finds herself in a big comfortable bed—in a big comfortable house with a wonderful and nurturing family with four perfect siblings who are always happy. At first, Theo is confused, but eventually she becomes accustomed to this new life with her new family—all her dreams came true and she has everything she ever wanted. Until she is awaken by a strong gust of wind, and her dreamworld is gone. Theo feels she cannot live without her new family and decides to go searching for them and is amazed at what she finds.

Personal Response: A beautiful story about finding happiness wherever you are. Kit Pearson does a fantastic job at weaving fantasy into reality. Theo is a charming character with applicable emotions. I found the prevalent theme of finding happiness wherever your at to be a wonderful message for youth and young readers may learn from Theo’s experiences.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Be thankful for what you have. No matter how bad your situation is, there is always someone in a worse situation.

Age Range: 9-12

Subjects: Adventure, Identity, Family Relationships, Dreams, Imagination, Poverty, Contentment

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Pick-Up Sticks by Sarah Ellis

Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me by Julie Johnston

Kate by Jean Little

What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses? by Richard Van Camp

Title: What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?

Author: Richard Van Camp

Illustrator: George Littlechild

Publish Date: April 2003

Publisher: San Val

Pages: 32pp

IBSN: 0613709888

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Picture Books

Annotation: On the coldest day of the year, a boy decides he wants to find out about horses, so he asks those closest to him what the most beautiful thing they know about horses is?

Plot Summary: A member of the Dogrib nation from the Northwest Territories in Canada seeks information regarding horses as he is a stranger to horses, only knowing about dogs. On the coldest day in January, he goes to his friends and family members, asking them what they know of horses.

Personal Response: Folksy text by Richard van Camp combined with gorgeous artwork by George Littlechild, this story asks a series of questions that the reader may have fun answering. Overall, I felt the story was insightful and sweet with the last question of "What's the most beautiful thing that you know about you?"

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Think about what special and beautiful attributes are.

Age Range: 4-8

Subjects: Horses, Curiosity, Cold, Dogs, Cowboy, Poem, Picture Books

This Land is my Land by George Littlechild

A Man Called Raven by Richard Van Camp

If You Could Wear My Sneakers! by Sheree Fitch

Title: If You Could Wear My Sneakers

Author: Sheree Fitch

Illustrator: Darcia Labrosse

Publish Date: September 1998

Publisher: Firefly Books, Limited

Pages: 32pp

ISBN: 1552092593

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Children’s Rights/Poerty

Annotation: A collection of poems aimed at children (for children’s rights) in support of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Told through humorous verses and using animals to present each intricate and significant idea.

Plot Summary: A collection of poems that interpret fifteen articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Each poem (article) uses a variety of animals and plenty of humor to help present each important idea. Additionally, in the back of the book is a guide, showcasing each poem and matching it with the article it represents.

Personal Response: I am starting to see this Canadian theme of children’s rights as Fitch creatively constructs a poem for each right (fifteen of them to be precise) in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in a language that is fitting for a child. In addition, the colorful images by Darcia Labrosse not only compliment Fitch’s verses but add to the playfulness and humor. From freedom of speech to having the right to health care, Ms. Fitch get’s her important message across.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Children’s rights, based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Age Range: 4 to 8

Subjects: Children’s Rights, Humorous, Poetry, Animals,

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The Name Jar by Yangsook Choli

Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles

There Were Monkeys In My Kitchen by Shree Fitch

Angel Square by Brian Doyle

Title: Angel Square

Author: Brian Doyle

Publish Date: September 2004

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Pages: 144pp

ISBN: 0888996098

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction/Realistic Fiction

Annotation: It’s 1945 in Ottawa. Tommy, AKA the Shadow, and a couple of his friends, Killer Bodnoff and CoCo Laframboise, are trying to figure out who attacked their friend, Sammy’s father who is Jewish.

Plot Summary: The year is 1945 and in Ottawa’s Lowertown, religion matters. Tommy, “the Shadow,” is best friends with Sammy, a Jewish boy. When Sammy’s father is assaulted, he is sent to Toronto to be hospitalized, taking Sammy with him till he recovers. This sets Tommy into detective mode to find out who assaulted Sammy’s father. To help the investigation, Tommy relies on two friends Killer Bodnoff and CoCo Laframboise. Tommy feels that if he finds the assailant, Sammy’s father will heal, thus bringing Sammy back to Ottawa. This also give’s Tommy a chance to impress Margot Lane, the girl of his dreams.

Personal Response: A heartbreaking story told with humor and intrigue. I felt the violence of the religious warfare (set back in the 1940s) to be somewhat realistic and the message of tolerance to be apparent. Tommy is the books hero and is very likable, and to some extent relatable. Overall, I felt the story to be a sweet tale.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Tolerance

Age Range: 9 through 13

Subjects: Mystery, Jewish, Bigotry, Friendship, Christmas, Prejudice, Detective, Mentally Handicap, Humorous, Relationships, Family Relationships, Hate Crime, Love, Victims, Religion, Catholic, Protestant, Tolerance, Historical

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Smith by Leon Garfield

Bad Boy by Diana Wieler

Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler

The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service

Title: The Cremation of Sam McGee

Author: Robert W. Service

Illustrator: Ted Harrison

Publish Date: July 2006

Publisher: Kids Can Press, Limited

Pages: 32pp

ISBN: 155453092X

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Folktale

Annotation: A classic Yukon adventure poem about a man name Sam McGee who is constantly suffering from the cold—so much so that he convinces his companion on the trail to cremate him he should die.

Plot Summary: Sam McGee is constantly struggling with the cold while along an Arctic trail. One day, McGee persuades his trail companion (the narrator of the story) to cremate him if he shall die. That very same day, McGee passes away leaving the companion obligated to keep his promise. We follow the companion on his journey to cremate Sam McGee and to finally keep him warm.

Personal Response: A poignant tale brought to life by the evocative paintings of Ted Harrison. I really appreciated reading the forward by Pierre Berton, as it gave me insight on the creators of this book and into the story/poem as a whole. I found this tale to be humorous and touching as the narrator kept his bargain and finally gave Sam McGee some warmth.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: If you make a promise to someone, keep it.

Age Range: 9 to 12

Subjects: Death, Yukon, Adventure, Humor, Cremation, Journey, Cold, Poem

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Children of the Yukon by Ted Harrison

The Shooting of Dan McGrew by Robert W. Service

Odd Man Out by Sarah Ellis

Title: Odd Man Out

Author: Sarah Ellis

Publish Date: February 2008

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Pages: 162pp

ISBN: 0888997035

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: When Kip’s mother remarries, he is sent to stay with his grandmother for the summer, along with five of his girl cousins. During his stay, Kip finds a notebook made by his late father when he was a teenager, things begin to change as Kip becomes entranced by the story as it leads him to self discovery.

Plot Summary: While Kip’s mother vacations on her honeymoon, he is sent away for the summer to stay with his Grandma and five girl cousins. At first, Kip finds himself struggling to find his place as he is not used to being around a spirited group of girls, and so he spends a lot of time in his attic bedroom where he discovers a notebook his late father had kept as a teen. As he begins to read the notebook, he becomes engrossed by the story, in which leads Kip to learning about his past, present, and what the future might hold.

Personal Response: An insightful story about the growing pains of an almost teenage boy, Kip. As the protagonist, Kip is easy to identify with, along with the additional characters consisting of the five girl cousins –although we don’t get too much depth of their views as we stay with Kip throughout the entire novel. The illustrations within the novel are detailed pertinent to the story.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Growing up and accepting change.

Age Range: 9 through 13

Subjects: Deceased Father, Identity, Family, Coming of Age, Mental Illness, Grandmother, Mystery, Death, Remarriage, Acceptance, Change, Fitting In, Mental Illness

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Rules by Cynthia Lord

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The Name of the Tree: A Bantu Folktale by Celia Barker Lottridge

Title: The Name of the Tree: A Bantu Folktale

Author: Celia Barker Lottridge

Illustrator: Ian Wallace

Publish Date: February 2002

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Pages: 36pp

ISBN: 0888990979

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Folklore

Annotation: A great drought settles somewhere on an African plan, forcing all the animals to search for food. When their search fails, it is the turtles search who succeeds.

Plot Summary: On an African plan, a great drought has settled, causing all the animals to search for food. In their search for food, the animals find a magic tree that holds all the fruits imaginable, but as the animals soon learn, they must learn the name of the tree in order to receive the unreachable fruit. With failed attempts, and almost a lackluster hopes, it is the turtle who succeeds with finding the name and saving the day.

Personal Response: This Bantu folktale is told in traditional format by displaying roles of a hero, as heroes are not always the biggest and strongest—yet sometimes the heroes are the least likely. All in all, a very sweet tale with masterful illustrations by that compliment the story, or rather let the story be the main attraction.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Persistence does not always mean the biggest and strongest. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Age Range: 4-8yrs

Subjects: Africa, Folklore, Bantu, Multicultural, Wisdom, Hero, Persistence, Animals, Children’s, Picture Book

A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry

The Dragon’s Pearl by Julie Lawson

Title: The Dragon’s Pearl Julie Lawson

Author: Julie Lawson

Illustrated: by Paul Morin

Publish Date: January 1995

Publisher: Stoddart Kids

Pages: 32pp

ISBN: 0773728821

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Folklore

Annotation: A traditional Chinese folk tale about a terrible drought in China and a boy, Xiao Sheng, finds a magic pearl that transforms him into a dragon. This dragon forever changes the lives of his mother and neighbors.

Plot Summary: Xiao Sheng was a boy who worked extremely hard in order to earn enough to feed his mother and himself. He gathered grass from sun up to sun down, everyday. He found solace in singing and always saw the good of things. One day Xiao finds a magic pearl, in which transforms him into a powerful Chinese dragon—a provider of the long-awaited rains.

Personal Response: A traditional Chinese folk-tale told with beautiful illustrations by Paul Morin, who brings the story to life with textured paintings—increasing the authenticity and matching the rich language of Julie Lawson. Additionally, the book includes an informative page about Chinese dragons, effectively celebrating the benevolent Chinese dragon.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Benevolence

Age Range: 4 to 12

Subjects: Pearls, Dragons, Folk Tales, Myths, Legends, China, Son and Mother, Rain, Tradition, Picture Book, Poverty, Magic, Transformation, Singing, Drought, Benevolence

Similar Titles:

Day of the Dragon King by Mary Osborne

On Wings of Evil by Cora Taylor

Title: On Wings of Evil

Author: Cora Taylor

Publish Date: June 2005

Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Limited

Pages: 250pp

ISBN: 1550419293

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Annotation: This sequel to On Wings of a Dragon continues the story of heroin Kour'el, the bird girl, and Api'Naga, her great dragon, who have returned to their homeland.

Plot Summary: In this sequel to On Wings of a Dragon, Kour’el is back at her homeland with her trusty dragon, Api’Naga. With them, they have brought back the new Queen Galea. As the Queen takes her throne, she faces a new evil in her land, thus requiring the help of Kour’el and Api’Naga. The evil Queen Mariah has come back in a new form with assassination attempts on Queen Galea. On top of that there seems to be a strange black and white bird that is the focal point for evil against the throne.

Personal Response: In order to fully understand this novel, the reader must read the first installment to the series, On Wings of a Dragon (2001). Taylor writes vivid descriptions and creates interesting events with adequate twists, although sometimes too predictable. With parallel plots, the reader must stay closely in-tune to not only follow the storyline but to fully appreciate what Taylor has created. This fairly tale/fantasy follows the traditional guidelines of good verses evil. Kour’el is an interesting character (and great inspiration) for girls as she went from maiden-in-distress to heroin!

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Good verses Evil.

Age Range: 9 and up

Subjects: Fantasy, Fantasy Heroin, Dragons, Good vs. Evil, Medievil, Historical, Adventure, Mystery, Magic

Series:

On Wings of Evil (2005)

On Wings of a Dragon (2001)

Will and Swampy by Jim Arnosky

Minus Time by Catherine Bush

The Secret Under My Skin by Janet McNaughton

Title: The Secret Under My Skin

Author: Janet McNaughton

Publish Date: 2000

Publisher: HarperCollin Children’s Books

Pages: 262pp

ISBN: 006008989X

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Annotation: It is the year 2368, and Blay Raytee, a government work-camp orphan who has no birthday, no real name, and almost no memories. In fact, her future seems as glum as her past. Until she is selected to help a powerful young bio-indicator, in which sets Blay on a path of discovery.

Plot Summary: The world has just suffered from a technocaust that has left a generation of orphans. Blay Raytee, one of those orphans, is chosen for a special mission to help a powerful young bio-indicator name Marrella. This sets Blay into a world of discovery as she is finding out that all may not be what it seems. The secrets she uncovers may be the elements to help restore her past and the human race.

Personal Response: A compelling story about a possible future. Janet McNaughton warns people that too much technology can have a dangerous and devastating affect on the human race.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Things are always as they seem. You have the power to change them and/or help people. Too much technology is not necessarily a good thing.

Age Range: 13 and up

Subjects: Identity, Bravery, Courage, Orphan, Confidence, Acceptance, Government, Humanity, Dsytopia, Post Apocalyptic,

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Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes

Title: Invitation to the Game

Author: Monica Hughes

Publish Date: June 1993

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 192pp

ISBN: 0671866923

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Annotation: Lisse has just graduated from school and is hopelessly unemployed in a dystopian future society. When she is placed in the Designated Area with seven other friends, the government invites her and her seven unemployed roommates to play The Game.

Plot Summary: Set in a dystopian Earth, Lisse and seven other graduates are fighting for survival in the decayed city. Hearing mysterious rumors about something called The Game, the roommates anxious wait for an invitation. When they finally get summoned to The Game, they learn that this alternate world of paradise and the game in which they are playing to track down a treasure is not at all what The Game’s main purpose is about.

Personal Response: Similar to Enders Game for me, in which I highly enjoyed. Monica Hughes creates a future that is both dark and deeply realistic with the advent of technology and robots performing humanistic occupations. This forces people out of jobs and into unemployment. I thought the characters were likable as each of them displayed a trait or skill that complimented the group as a whole. Collectively, you (as the reader) could understand the selection process upon populating the new planet as life there was in it’s prehistoric phase, making it important to acquire the precise group of people. A true survival story with optimism and hope for a better future.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Things aren’t always what they seem.

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Dystopia, Boarding School, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Computer Games, Survival, Over-population, Government

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The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card