2026 Forest Teen Committee Summer Reading List

 

Recently, the Forest of Reading announced their summer reading lists for Silver Birch readers in Grades 3–6, (ages 8–12), and one for Red Maple readers in Grades 7 and 8 (ages 12–14). Now there's a summer reading list for teens ages 14–18 (Grades 9–12) who would be in the White Pine program of the Forest of Reading.

 

This list which came together after a teen committee met to discuss recently published books by Canadian creators is a fabulous list of titles teens might consider reading this summer. 

 

Congratulations to the young people who worked so diligently to champion Canadian books for their peers and to prepare such stellar lists. 

 

Here are their selections for 2026:

  

White Pine

(Ages 14–18, Grades 9–12)

 

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter 

Written by Heather Fawcett 

Del Rey

368 pp.

Ages 18+

2026 

 

Bad in The Blood 

Written by Matteo L. Cerilli

Tundra Books

392 pp.

Ages 14–17

2025 

 

The Beauty of Us 

Written by Farzana Doctor 

ECW Press

304 pp.

Ages 15–18 

2024 

 

Behind Five Willows 

Written by June Hur 

Feiwel & Friends

336 pp.

Ages 13–18

2026 

 

A Deadly Inheritance 

Written by Kelley Armstrong 

Tundra Books

424 pp.
Ages 14+

2026  

 

Here for a Good Time 

Written by Kim Spencer 

Swift Water Books

256 pp.

Ages 14+

2026 

 

Like a Bird 

Written by Becky Citra 

Second Story Press

250 pp.

Age 12–18

2025 

 

The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue 

Written by Zoulfa Katouh

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

368 pp.

Ages 12+

2026 

 

Other Worlds: Stories 

Written by André Alexis 

McClelland & Stewart

288 pp.

Ages 17+

2025 

 

Red Flags and Butterflies 

Written by Sheryl Azzam 

DCB Young Readers

258 pp.

Ages 12–17

2025 

 

Small Ceremonies 

Written by Kyle Edwards

McClelland & Stewart

368 pp.

Ages 18+

2025 

 

This Place Kills Me 

Written by Mariko Tamaki 

Illustrated by Nicole Goux 

Harry N. Abrams

272 pp.

Ages 14–18

2025

 

A Treachery of Swans 

Written by A. B. Poranek 

Margaret K. McElderry Books

368 pp.

Ages 14+ 

2025 

 

What Wakes the Bells 

Written by Elle Tesch

Feiwel & Friends 

331 pp.

Ages 13–18

2025 

 

 

 

 

The downloadable list and poster are available at the Forest of Reading website here:

• Teen summer reading list

• Teen summer reading list poster

2026 Forest of Reading Kid Committees Summer Reading Lists

Every spring since 2017, young peoples have applied to participate on the Forest of Reading's Kid Committees to select books to recommend to their peers to read over the summer.  These lists of recently published books by Canadian creators cover a variety of genres and reading levels and introduce young readers to fabulous books.

 

This year, the committees met in early May to discuss and champion books that they thought their peers might enjoy reading. The Forest Kid Committees have come up with two fabulous lists, one for Silver Birch readers in Grades 3–6, (ages 8–12), and one for Red Maple readers in Grades 7 and 8 (ages 12–14). They have included graphic novels and historical fiction, fantasy and non-fiction. There are more challenging reads and hi-lo readers for grabbing young readers attention. There's something for everyone.

 

Congratulations to the young people who worked so diligently to champion Canadian books for their peers and to prepare such stellar lists. Well done, young readers!

 

Here are their selections for 2026:

 

 

SILVER BIRCH

(Ages 8–12, Grades 3–6) 

Amir and the Jinn Princess

Written by M. T. Khan

Jimmy Patterson Books

Ages 8–12

304 pp.

2024 

 

Bark Twice for Murder

Written by John Lekich

Orca Book Publishers

Ages 9–12

120 pp.

2025

Best Friend, Worst Bully

Written and illustrated by Mei Yu

Union Square Kids

Ages 7–10

144 pp.

2026

Briarwood

Written by Natalie Hyde

DCB Young Readers

Ages 9–12

246 pp.

2026 

Built Like a Bug: How Insects Inspire Everyday Inventions

Written by Anjali Joshi

Illustrated by Kathleen Ng 

Annick Press

Ages 9–12

128 pp.

2026

The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay 

Written by Mary Averling

G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Ages 8–12

224 pp.

2025 

 

I Won't Feel This Way Forever

Written by Kim Spencer

Orca Book Publishers

Ages 9–12

192 pp.

2025

 

Izzy Wong's Nose for News

Written by Marty Chan

Orca Book Publishers

Ages 9–12

208 pp.

2024 

Kaboom!: Blast Off (Book 1)

Written by Jay Odjick

Illustrated by KC Oster 

Scholastic Canada

Ages 8–12

142 pp.

2026 

 

Kindred Dragons

Written and illustrated by Sarah Mensinga

Harry N. Abrams

Ages 10–13

208 pp.

2025

Planting Sunshine

Written by Andrée Poulin

Illustrated by Enzo 

Groundwood Books

Ages 9–12

116 pp.

2026

 

Snoop

Written by Gordon Korman

Scholastic Press

Ages 9–12

208 pp.

2025

Touching Grass 

Written by Kristy Jackson

Illustrated by Rhael McGregor 

HarperCollins

Ages 8–12

336 pp.

2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

RED MAPLE 

(Ages 12–14, Grades 7–8) 

 

Best of All Worlds    

Written by Kenneth Oppel

Penguin Teen Canada

Ages 12+

256 pp.

2025 

The Curse of Heartwood Academy    

Written by Marty Chan

Orca Book Publishers 

Ages 12+

126 pp.

2026

Digger: Dig or Die!    

Written by Deborah Cholette

Illustrated by Davide Ochu

One Elm Book 

Ages 9–12

240 pp.

2025

The Experiment (The Factory, Book 2)    

Written by Catherine Egan

Scholastic 

Ages 9–12

320 pp.

2025

Fierce Voice    

Written by Susan Currie

Common Deer Press 

Ages 12–18

280 pp.

2025

Hypergifted (Ungifted, Book 3)    

Written by Gordon Korman

Scholastic Canada

Ages 9–12

264 pp.

2026

Julia and Romano    

Written by Eric Walters

DCB Young Readers 

Ages 13+

304 pp.

2026

Last Year with Maddy     

Written by Anna Rosner

Yellow Dog 

Ages 9–12

156 pp.

2026

Rhapsody Smith, Ice Angel    

Written by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

Yellow Dog 

Ages 8–12

210 pp.

2025

Seabird    

Written by Michelle Kadarusman

Pajama Press 

Ages 8–12

224 pp.

2025 

The Shape of Lost Things    

Written by Sarah Everett

HarperCollins 

Ages 8–12

272 pp.

2024 

Something's Up with Arlo    

Written by Matteo L. Cerilli

HarperCollins 

Ages 8–12

304 pp.

2025 

 

The Water You're Swimming In    

Written by Rachel Schwartz Fagan

Orca Book Publishers 

Ages 9–12

192 pp.

2026

 

The World's End (The Misewa Saga, Book 6)    

Written by David A. Robertson 

Tundra Books 

Ages 10+

280 pp.

2025 

 

 

  

 

The downloadable lists and poster are available at the Forest of Reading website:

 

• Silver Birch list

• Red Maple list 

• Silver Birch and Red Maple poster

 

When I'm a Moshom

Written by David A. Robertson

Illustrated by Corrie Hill

Tundra Books

978-1-77488-174-3

40 pp.

Ages 3–7

May 26 2026 

 

This is a story of remembrance and celebration. It's also a story of expectation and promise.

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

The narrator remembers all the lovely memories he has with his moshom, his grandfather. He begins each memory with:

When I'm a moshom,

A long, long time from now,

before stating what he promises to do, "Just like Moshom did." He will watch his grandchildren in their activities, whether dancing, swimming, playing hockey, or doing gymnastics. But he will also share with them activities important to him. And so many of these shares are traditions and cultural legacies from past generations, whether hunting for muskrat, making bannock, telling stories, or speaking to them in Swampy Cree. There is also the feelings that Moshom extended to him, from a deep love to respect and pride. The narrator has not forgotten his moshom's legacy of teachings and devotion, and he intends to do the same for another generation, for his own grandchildren. 

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

David A. Robertsona is the author of picture books like The Song That Called Them Home (2023) and Little Shoes (2025), both illustrated by Maya McKibbin; middle grade novels like The Misewa Saga series (2021–2015); graphic novels including Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story (2021); and YA (e.g., Strangers, 2017). While his skill at writing different genres for a variety of audiences is clearly evident, David A. Robertson excels at embedding his stories in the traditions of his Indigenous culture. He does the same in When I'm A Moshom. Not only do we learn about that which his grandfather taught him and shared with him, we see a pride in a legacy of culture. From visiting his community, teaching traditions of celebration and food, and sharing in ceremonies, both moshoms, past and future, embrace the richness of their cultures and strive to impart it to their grandchildren. But it's not heavy-handed sermonizing. Instead, it is the gifting, almost a bequest, of that which is treasured and appreciated. 

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

While David A. Robertson's words are based in reminiscences of his moshom, When I'm a Moshom is not a story of sadness of loss. It is one of hope and promise for the future. It's a man looking to a time when he can emulate the memories he had with a beloved grandfather and create lasting ones with his own grandchildren. Illustrator Corrie Hill, a member of the Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River, ensures that expectation of legacy in her digital artwork. While her art may seem restrained with its clean lines and shapes, Corrie Hill endows her illustrations with joy and family in simple touches. It could be hand-holding, a hug, a smile, laughing eyes, or attention. Because of the depth of heart in her artwork, I am in awe that When I'm a Moshom is her debut picture book.

From When I'm a Moshom, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Corrie Hill

When I'm a Moshom is a story that looks to the past to guide in the future. It's looking to that which was lived and experienced to help advise that which will be. Here, the narrator remembers his moshom and the ways his moshom made him feel loved and cherished. Through his actions and communications, his moshom made sure the child felt like he mattered. Whether taking them fishing, speaking to them in Swampy Cree, smudging them, or teaching them to play cribbage, this grandfather and this future moshom know what it means to be a caring elder and unexpected mentor to his grandchildren. How fortunate to be the nôsisimak of either moshom.