The Republic of Nothing by Lesley Choyce

Title: The Republic of Nothing

Author: Lesley Choyce

Publish Date: February 2007

Publisher: Goose Lane Editions

Pages: 382pp

IBSN: 0864924933

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: On the birth of his son, Ian, Everett McQuade, an Anarchist, proclaims Whalebone Island in Nova Scotia an independent republic.

Plot Summary: It’s the early 1950s on Whalebone Island in Nova Scotia and Everett MacQuade has marked the birth of his son, Ian, by declaring the island's independence. Whalebone is place of independent fishers, children whom have never had a formal education, pioneers of equal rights, and refugees from the city. Ian is at a point in his life where he is questioning his parents—his mother Dorothy, whom had suffered some sort of amnesia from her early life and has an uncanny sense of perception and his father Everett, whom is politically inclined. This leaves Ian wondering if anarchy is good for Whalebone.

Personal Response: What a ride this story was. From circus elephants and exotic furniture washing up on shore to refugees from the outside world settling in to live in a place of peace during time when peace was somewhat scarce (1960s, Vietnam war, atom bomb, etc.), The Republic of Nothing offers readers an in-depth look into the political rights and wrongs as well as the internal rights and wrongs.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Political and philosophical. Coming of Age.

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Family, Friendship, Love, Relationships, Politics, Anarchy, Resilience, Independence

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Rockbound by Frank Parker Day

No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod

Island: The Complete Stories by Alistair MacLeod

Different Dragons by Jean Little

Title: Different Dragons

Author: Jean Little

Publish Date: May 2007

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Pages: 112pp

IBSN: 0143312308

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Timid Ben faces many challenges on his first stay away from home without his family. He confronts his fears and becomes friends with a Labrador Retriever named Gully.

Plot Summary: Ben is not looking forward to his stay with his Aunt Rose while his family goes away. During this stay, Ben will have to sleep alone, deal with the bossy girl next door, live through a thunderstorm, and deal with his fear of big dogs, all by himself. Aunt Rose had meant the big dog, Gully a Labrador Retriever, as a gift but Ben doesn’t like this gift, he is scared of the big dog. Then, a thunderstorm hits and Ben and Gully survive together underneath the bed. This begins a beautiful bond.

Personal Response: A simplistic plot with a sweet message about overcoming your fears and finding the courage that lays within. I especially liked the bond Ben makes with Gully, very sincere and touching. I think this is a good story for younger children who are experiencing fears. As adults we so easily forget what it is like to be little with fears—the world can be scary place.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Overcoming fears.

Age Range: 8 to 12

Subjects: Dogs, Fear, Thunderstorms, Family, Family Relationships, Friendship, Courage, Realistic Fiction

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Stand in the Wind by Jean Little

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler

Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Title: Paper Bag Princess

Author: Robert Munsch

Illustrator: Michael Martchenjo

Publish Date: February 1992

Publisher: Annick Press, Limited

Pages: 32pp

IBSN: 0920236162

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Picture Book

Annotation: A prince is kidnapped by a dangerous dragon who happened to burn up all the clothes in the palace with his dragon breath. The princess finds a paper bag to wear as she sets out to save the prince.

Plot Summary: A young princess goes off to rescue the young prince (whom she loves and hopes to marry) after a dangerous dragon has taken him captive and burned all the clothes in the palace. The princess decides she will wear a paper bag to go save the prince. She tricks the dragon and enters the cave where the prince is being held. When the prince sees her, he tells her how poorly she is dressed. Her retort is that he is a fine and handsome prince, but completely useless and in the end they do not end up together.

Personal Response: I really appreciated the theme of this story as it allows girls (from a young age) to see that if a man does not treat you the right way, you do not have to be with him (very empowering). Along with this running theme is lots of humor and a fluid style of writing that is both accessible to children and adults. I really enjoyed this book!

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Empowering girls—you don’t have to be with someone that doesn’t treat you well.

Age Range: 4-8

Subjects: Girl Power, Princess, Humor, Courage, Fantasy

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Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock

Aaron’s Hair by Robert Munsch

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

The Witches of Willowmere by Alison Baird

Title: The Witches of Willowmere

Author: Alison Baird

Publish Date: September 2003

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Pages: 224pp

ISBN: 0141313730

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Annotation: Sixteen year old Claire is having dreams of the 17^th century Salem witch trials. As she struggles to understand why she is having these dreams, she becomes increasing fascinated with magic and the Wiccan belief system.

Plot Summary: Clair is sixteen years old and basically living on her own. Every time she passes by the Willowmere, her curiosity arouses as she is intrigued by the beautiful and mysterious estate. The owner of the estate, Dr. Myra Moore, befriends Clair and tells her about the Wiccan belief system. As Claire learns about this belief system, she wonders if this can help her understand why her mother left her. In addition, she wonders why she is having vivid dreams of the Salem witch trials of the 17^th century—and what her connection is to the girl in her dreams.

Personal Response: I really loved this story and look forward to reading the next two books in the series. Alison Baird does an excellent job at weaving in teenager dialog and keeping the reader intrigued. The ending definitely left you hanging—I am glad I don’t have to wait for the next book to come out.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Self discovery. Good verses evil.

Age Range: 14 and up

Subjects: Wiccan, Abandonment, Witches, Urban Fantasy, High School, Identity, Teenager, Reincarnation, Good verses Evil,

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Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

Dime Store Magic by Kelly Armstrong

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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

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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,

Similar Titles:

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

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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

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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

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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