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 are available at the Forest of Reading website:
• Red Maple list
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