The Good Daughter's Ghost: Guest review

Written by Sam Wilket

Annick Press

978-1-834021157 

248 pp.

Ages 14-18

August 2026 

 

 

This guest review was written by Laura Krause.

 

A Hauntingly Good Debut 

This is a great horror story for young adults. It is a story in which a mother's grief allows literal ghosts to destroy the life of the family. Drawing upon her own heritage, debut author Sam Wilket, a second-generation Canadian of white British and Chinese descent, feeds her story with Chinese folklore and mythology, helping her to build the dread and danger at a near-perfect pace. But what really makes this novel shine is the more human story about grief, about how people move through it, and how it can slowly erode the foundation of a family, despite those who process that grief in a healthy way. 

This mother’s grief is an apt metaphor for the very mundane and non-paranormal way that the agony of loss can consume people. There are many creepy and chilling scenes that build horror associated with grief. These scenes, all occurring as characters process grief, include people having out-of-body experiences; having no memory of their actions and losing spans of time; hallucinating; and erupting into violent outbursts. The paranormal is used as a powerful metaphor for universal emotions faced by many at some point in their lives. 

Normally I get so frustrated with horror stories in which obviously supernatural and dangerous things occur. It is not uncommon to have characters who come up with ridiculous ways to rationalize what they experience, or who take far longer to reach their breaking point than feels realistic. But, in The Good Daughter's Ghost, I never once became frustrated at the characters' reactions to the increasingly scary circumstances because of the way Sam Wilket presented their emotional and life situations. The way they reacted made sense.

Apart from the subject of grief, the subplots focus on Rachel, our teen protagonist, and her relationship with her mom, as well as with her cultural identity. These story lines will be especially relevant to teens, the intended audience of The Good Daughter's Ghost, though the book can be appreciated by a far older audience too. 

 

I would have appreciated more detail in several aspects of the story. First, I craved more from the epilogue, so that there would have been more story of the aftermath of a violent and horrifying climax. Rather than jumping to six months later, I would have liked to see the journey to how things became okay again. Also, I would have liked for Sam Wilket to expand on how a Canadian Caucasian knew enough about Chinese spiritual practices to perform the steps that were taken. Perhaps because of her own background, which she writes upon on her website, Sam Wilket has such knowledge, though it would be unfamiliar to many persons. Some additional discourse about the source of that info would be valuable.

This may be a YA horror novel, but even as a reader who is beyond that age group, I still thoroughly enjoyed The Good Daughter's Ghost, and look forward to future titles from Sam Wilket.

 

~ Laura Krause (or LauraK483 as she is known online) is an aspiring book editor with a background in live theatre. She obtained her BFA in Theatre Production and Design from York University, and a master’s degree in Stage and Event Management from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She is currently completing the Editorial Skills program at George Brown Polytechnic. When she isn't working or reading, she is likely streaming video games on her Twitch channel or planning her next TTRPG project.

 

Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet: Guest review

This review was written by student Hasini K. 

 

Written by Adrienne Mason

Illustrated by Kim Smith

Kids Can Press

978-1-525305375

40 pp.

Ages 8-12

2022 

Many beings other than humans help to keep our beautiful blue planet safe and functioning. Whales are one of them.

From Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet by Adrienne Mason, illus. by Kim Smith

I present to you…Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer The Planet, written by Adrienne Mason and beautifully illustrated by Kim Smith. In a visually-appealing format, this book provides an abundance of information about whales and emphasizes their benefit to the ecosystem by exploring a variety of topics including climate change, threats, food webs, migration and more. (There is a glossary at the end of the book to help with any vocabulary. )

From Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet by Adrienne Mason, illus. by Kim Smith

There are over 50 unique species of whales, and the book goes through the information about how we can identify them. In addition to detailed information about each species, there are bonus facts on different types of animals, some related to whales, and some about other animals, and details about topics like migration and climate change.

From Whales to the Rescue: How Whales Help Engineer the Planet by Adrienne Mason, illus. by Kim Smith

The extremely important topic of global warming is explained, including how it affects both humans and animals and how it relates to whales specifically. Adrienne Mason also explains about carbon emissions and processes like storing carbon thoroughly while using kid-friendly words, making it easier for younger ages to understand. By making the vocabulary not too challenging, the book will entice young readers as well as older ones.

If I was given an assignment to do on whales and only had this book as a reference, I think I'd get a great mark. Whales to the Rescue has lots of information and intriguing facts (some that may shock you) and it is organized in an appealing way, with mini-paragraphs, unique design, and easy-to-understand diagrams. The cover drew me in immediately, but I was expecting the book to be showcasing a decent amount of information; however, I was blown away by how well it balanced the elegant designs in the background with excellent information.

I would recommend this book to curious and avid readers who are looking for information about whales (with extremely gorgeous visuals by Kim Smith) but also to teachers who are searching for content for their classes regarding whales and their importance to the planet. You should definitely read this book if you want to learn about the value of whales and be blessed with incredible artwork.

 

~ Written by Hasini K., Grade 8

 

🐋 🐋 🐋 🐋 🐋

Poopy Science: Getting to the Bottom of What Comes Out Your Bottom (A Gross Science Book): Guest review

The review was written by Grade 4 student Bradon M.

 

Written by Edward Kay

Illustrated by Mike Shiell

Kids Can Press

978-1-525304132

48 pp.

Ages 8-12

2022

 

The name of this book is what made me want to pick it up!  I have never really learned about poop and am always told we can’t do “toilet talk” since it isn’t polite. This book was finally my chance to learn all about poop. This non-fiction book will cover everything you want to know about poop…and maybe some things you don’t!  Each page has a couple of headings that are hilarious. For example, I really like “Funky Frass” and “Super-Duper Poopers and Tiny Turd Makers”. These headings made me want to read each section. Edward Kay's writing reeks of funny facts that now I can never unlearn, and I definitely learned a lot about poop!

From Poopy Science: Getting to the Bottom of What Comes Out of Your Bottom by Edward Kay, illus. by Mike Shiell

The disgustingly weird and funny cover page for this book made me want to read it right away. The pictures inside the book are just as entertaining because each one will make you explode with laughter. I couldn’t help but stare at some of the pictures. They were so outrageous. For example, there is a cartoon of a man picking his butt, another with a man riding on a flying toilet over the city who looked like he just had explosive diarrhea, and then one of a bear with a cork in his bum. The cartoons are really hysterical, but they are also really well done. You can tell that the illustrator, Mike Shiell, took their time. Each one is unique and eye-catching. This book definitely won’t be a waste of your time! 

From Poopy Science: Getting to the Bottom of What Comes Out of Your Bottom by Edward Kay, illus. by Mike Shiell

This book would be great for anyone over the age of seven. They will laugh at all of the pictures like I did and love the information they will learn. As I was reading the book, I felt I had to share every fact with my family…especially the gross ones! This would often cause a lot of laughter and some facts were shocking to them. When my family wasn’t around me reading Poopy Science, they could hear me laughing as I read each page. I loved this book so much that I think it should be in all classrooms, libraries, and bathrooms. My rating for this book is 5 poop emojis out of 5 💩💩💩💩💩!  A must read for everyone.  Pull up a stool and get a whiff of this book! 

~ Written by Bradon M., Age 9

 

• • • • • • •

Poopy Science is the latest book in the Gross Science Book series.

Stinky Science: Why the Smelliest Smells Smell So Smelly (2019)

Germy Science: The Sick Truth about Getting Sick (and Staying Healthy) (2021)

Poopy Science: Getting to the Bottom of What Comes Out Your Bottom (2022)

Oculum Echo: Guest review

This review was written by student Bronte L.

 

Written by Philippa Dowding

DCB

978-1-770866652

231 pp.

Ages 9-12

2022 

The robot Echo1 awakes from slumber and, with the help of Guide, a voice in its ear, and the robot bird Peregrine1, travels the continents’ four Oculum domes and the barren deserts. Echo1's task is to search for life and monitor the starting of a civilization of humans to make sure they don’t make the mistakes of the past. 

 

Outside of Oculum, Grannie’s farm is bombed, and Miranda1, Mannfred, and Grannie must lead the children originally from Oculum to safety. But their attackers, the UnRuly, are hunting them down, and they’ve got a new secret weapon. So, Grannie sends Mannfred and his friends to spy on the UnRuly, maybe even to try and stop them, but things soon go wrong. 

 

Meanwhile, after many weeks of travelling, Echo1 is starting to lose hope in finding life. Along the way, he learns much from his guide about Earth, humans, and his many special capabilities. But lots of questions remain unanswered, including what is life, what his name means, and what happened to the world of the Olden Begones? 

Oculum Echo by Philippa Dowding is the sequel to Oculum, the Silver Birch-nominated first book in The Children of Oculum series. It’s a middle school level dystopian, sci-fi novel, told from multiple points of view.  There's Miranda1, the oldest girl from Oculum, who now must help Grannie lead the rest of the children; Echo1, who is led by the voice in his ear and a robot bird that sends him videos of his surroundings; and Mannfred, who lived outside Oculum on the farm with Grannie before the UnRuly destroyed it. The book has important themes of leadership, curiosity, perseverance, collaboration, and showing the importance of taking care of our world and each other.

Although I haven’t read Oculum, the book before this one, it didn’t take long for me to become invested in the storyline. Each character’s experiences are so wildly different and inspirational in their own ways that it makes for quite a fun read! My favourite part of the book was definitely getting to see the world through Echo1’s and Miranda’s eyes. The lives they are accustomed to are so different from our current world, and, even though their Earth was mostly destroyed, there are hints at what it was like before the disaster, with playgrounds, paper, drum kits, pigs, fish, and all kinds of other things we take for granted. I would recommend Oculum Echo to any sci-fi loving kid that enjoys adventures. 

~ Written by Bronte L., Gr. 9

The Children of Oculum, Books 1 and 2

Daphne's Bees: Guest review

This review was written by Grade 9 student Bronte L.

 

Written by Catherine Dempsey

Illustrated by Veselina Tomova

Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides

978-1-927917503

48 pp.

Ages 7-11

2022

 

Daphne’s grandmother keeps honeybees, and she often lets Daphne inspect the hives. But on the morning of her 10th birthday, Daphne is treated with her very own hive, bee suit, and equipment. With the help of her dad and grandmother, Daphne builds her hive, and starts a new colony. She has drone bees, worker bees, and most importantly, a queen bee! Grandma teaches her all about their different jobs, how to maintain the hives, and their life cycles.

Daphne was so excited. Now she knew for sure that her queen had hatched, and was laying eggs. She also knew the bees were gathering pollen and nectar. The bits of pollen were the little bright colours and the nectar was the juice from the flowers that would become honey.

From Daphne's Bees by Catherine Dempsey, illus. by Veselina Tomova

Daphne soon discovers that keeping bees isn’t all flowers and honey. Bees are protective of their queen, and, if they think they’re under attack, they aren’t afraid to sting the intruder and die in the process. There are also wasps to worry about. Wasps are like pirates, flying around in search of new or vulnerable hives, looking to steal their honey. However, Daphne is protective of her hive, just like the worker bees, and makes sure that nothing is going to happen to it on her watch.

From Daphne's Bees by Catherine Dempsey, illus. by Veselina Tomova

Daphne’s Bees by Newfoundland author Catherine Dempsey and illustrator Veselina Tomova tells the story of Daphne, her hive, and everything she learns along the way to becoming a beekeeper. The book has loads of information, especially for a picture book, and could be enjoyed by kids from kindergarten to Grade 6. The book includes a glossary, background information, and plenty of puns. It’s a great book to build kids’ appreciation for honeybees.

Daphne’s Bees is an essential book for students learning about nature and the importance of pollinators. It’s informative and fun, and includes a lighthearted story with painted illustrations. The little bees and flowers look realistic, and you can tell that the illustrations are actual paintings, with their pencil outlines, canvas texture, and thick paint strokes.

From Daphne's Bees by Catherine Dempsey, illus. by Veselina Tomova

My grandfather used to keep bees, and I know that if I had read this book several years ago I would’ve immediately wanted to help him take care of his hives!

~ Bronte L., Grade 9

A Place for Pauline: Guest review

This review was written by student Bronte L.

 

Written by Anouk Mahiout

Illustrated by Marjolaine Perreten

Groundwood Books

978-1-77306-609-7

48 pp.

Ages 3-6

2022 

 

Pauline lives in a busy household. Her rambunctious younger brother is always running around; her baby sister cries and whines; and her mother is busy with another daughter on the way. Being the eldest isn’t as easy as it seems. But Pauline has a secret hiding place where she can daydream in peace. There she flies around the world, rules her very own kingdom, and escapes to France where her grandmother lives. One day, she decides to take action, pack her bags, and make her daydreams reality. 

From A Place for Pauline by Anouk Mahiout, illus. by Marjolaine Perreten

On her way to the ship that will take her to France, she is reminded of all the fun she has had with her family: playing ball hockey, enjoying Dad’s baking, and taking care of her cherished flower bed of the tricolour of impatiens, columbines, and forget-me-nots. But will those memories be enough to keep her and her imagination from escaping off to France?

My house is so full of people, it isn’t easy to find my place - even though I got here first! (pg. 4)

From A Place for Pauline by Anouk Mahiout, illus. by Marjolaine Perreten

A Place for Pauline is written by Montreal's Anouk Mahiout and illustrated by Swiss artist Marjolaine Perreten. It's an ever-so charming story with delightful watercolour illustrations in a comic style. The book does a terrific job of illustrating children’s wild imaginations, how special secret dens and hide outs can be as well as a home filled with comfort and bustle. I’d suggest this book to kids ages 4 to 7; however, finding a place to belong is something most people must go through at some point in their lives and, although Pauline is determined that her place is in France, I also think it’s a relatable book for anyone and everyone.

From A Place for Pauline by Anouk Mahiout, illus. by Marjolaine Perreten

~ Review written by Bronte L., a Gr. 9 student

Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of): Guest review

This review was written by Grade 8 student Hasini K.

 

Written and illustrated by Kathleen Gros
Quill Tree Books (HarperCollins)
978-0-06-305766-1
304 pp.
Ages 8-13
October 2022

 

From the classic story of Anne of Green Gables comes this incredible adaptation. This is a story that takes place in our modern world with the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and plot lines that improve the story and allows it to reach a wider audience in the present era.

From Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) by Kathleen Gros

Anne Shirley is a teenager in the foster system, and she’s sick of it. She’s already moved from one house to another, from one foster placement to the next. Anne is tired of starting over every time she has to move. So, when Alexandra, Anne's social worker, tells the girl the exciting news that she's about to move to another place, Anne has mixed feelings. She’s so grateful that someone wants her and really hopes it will work out but a part of her wonders if she'll just end up back in the system afterwards.

From Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) by Kathleen Gros

However, things don’t start off as she hopes. When she first meets Matthew Cuthbert, her new foster guardian, he seems confused. When they arrive at the Avon-lea, the apartment building where the Cuthberts live, we learn that Matthew and his sister Marilla had been expecting a younger kid. Anne is devastated and is sure that she'll be sent back, especially when Marilla calls Alexandra. Explaining about a glitch in the system, Alexandra asks them to keep Anne until they can arrange something else. Anne is determined to try her best to make sure the Cuthberts keep her.

But, Anne quickly finds herself in trouble, from physically hurting a classmate to accidentally dyeing her hair green. The Cuthberts may be cool, but Anne worries that she may be too much for them. Still, she has other worries, including developing feelings for her closest friend Diana. Anne wants to ask Diana to the winter dance but what if Diana doesn't feel the same way? You'll need to read Kathleen Gros's book to find out if Anne finally ends up finding her forever home.

From Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) by Kathleen Gros

Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) is not the kind of book I usually read, but I absolutely enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to readers in Grade 6 and up. In the book, Anne struggles a lot with embracing her appearance, and I love how she gained confidence throughout the story. Kathleen Gros turned the story into something which everyone could relate to, from being the new kid to trying to find friends and fitting in. Although I haven't read the original Anne of Green Gables–I'm very tempted to do so after finishing this book–I think Kathleen Gros's graphic novel version will appeal more to this generation of readers, especially with its diversity and gorgeous artwork and very appealing colours. But most important is Kathleen Gros's message that families come in different forms, and they are all worthy of love, no matter how crazy they may be.

 

~ Written by Hasini K., Age 13

Chickadee Criminal Mastermind: Guest review

This review was written by teacher Elizabeth Cook.

 

Written by Monica Silvie 

Illustrated by Elina Ellis

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-0338-8

36 pp.

Ages 4-7

June 2022

A Chickadee Criminal Mastermind? This book captured my interest right away. The story is narrated by the chickadee himself and it starts with him telling the reader how the forest has a criminal living there. It is him, calling himself "a real rapscallion and all-around bad seed.” He then explains to the other animals, and the readers, how he started his life of crime in the forest.

From Chickadee Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie, illus. by Elina Ellis

His story starts when he was a pink, featherless baby still in the nest learning all that he could from his parents. After his long childhood of sixteen days, he flew off to start his own adult life in the forest. He quickly discovered that finding food was of the utmost importance and that it got harder and harder as winter encroached on the forest. As such, he had to start stealing from the mother lode of all treasures…a box full of bird seed hanging from the tree branches. Using a map reminiscent of Kevin's battle plan from the movie “Home Alone,” the chickadee steals his seed each day. This may have made him a well-fed “King of Thieves” in the forest…but it also made him lonely.

From Chickadee Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie, illus. by Elina Ellis

One day, when Chickadee hears young children gleefully watching him, he remembers one of his parents' lessons about something called a bird feeder. They'd told him that a bird feeder was a safe place for birds. Realizing this, Chickadee wonders if he perhaps isn't the "bad seed" he'd always seen himself as and that perhaps his forest peers might now become his friends. In fact, it looks like he just might make one new friend when another chickadee appears.

From Chickadee Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie, illus. by Elina Ellis

This picture book by BC's Monica Silvie is adorable. From the outset, I was engaged with the story of this criminal mastermind bird. Monica Silvie’s writing helps the reader see the humour in a story of our chickadee while still teaching readers quite a bit about these common birds. I found myself cheering for the little chickadee on his adventures as a “King of Thieves” and also in his quest to make friends. The story is appended with additional information about chickadees, including sources for further research. The artwork by Ukrainian-born UK-resident Elina Ellis is quite precious as she brings expressions to our dear chickadee that really help the reader feel connected to him.

This story will be a delight to share in classrooms and with children in your home. As a teacher, I am already thinking of some great activities including watching for chickadees in the forest behind my school, making bird feeders with the students, and even some creative writing from Chickadee’s perspective. This book will also tie in nicely with many science curricula. You definitely want this delightful book in your school library.

~ Elizabeth Cook is a teacher in the Halton District School Board. She is an avid reader and fan of Canadian literature.  

 

Boney: Guest review

This review was written by Grade 8 student Hasini K.

Written by Cary Fagan

Illustrated by Dasha Tolstikova

Groundwood Books

978-1-77306-548-9

32 pp.

Ages 3-6

October 2022

 

While Annabelle and her dad are taking a walk in the woods with their dog, Scoot, Annabelle discovers an animal bone. Annabelle asks her dad if they can take the bone home, and her dad agrees. 

 

Annabelle decides to make the bone her new playmate, and names him Boney. Annabelle feels that Boney is a great playmate – and she is completely in love with her new friend! They hang out at the park and Annabelle even makes Boney a bed complete with a blanket and pillow in his own room. 

From Boney by Cary Fagan, illus. by Dasha Tolstikova

However, when creatures run wild in Annabelle's dreams, she wonders for the first time where Boney truly belongs. What becomes of Annabelle’s and Boney’s friendship? You'll need to read the book to find out.

Boney is written by Cary Fagan and illustrated by Dasha Tolstikova. It is a short but sweet story with very vivid and beautiful illustrations which are very thought-provoking. Kids may wonder where Boney, the bone, was actually from. The story does mention how the bone could've been any animal, but we can't help but wonder. I would recommend this book to readers from Grade 1-4 since it is pretty relatable in many ways. At some point in our lives, we all have to deal with the fact that something we might be doing is not right, even if we want to do it. Making tough choices is also very hard to do, no matter your age. Personally, I liked how the story had a really meaningful message. It teaches us that, sometimes, we have to do things that aren't easy to make the situation right. It captures the innocence and uncertainty of kids when they’re dealing with conflict within themselves. Little kids would especially take losing a friend or a toy or item they have gotten attached to, as Annabelle must do with Boney, very hard. I would certainly grab a copy of this creatively written book to enjoy!

~ Written by Hasini K., Age 13

Berani: Guest review

 This book was reviewed by Grade 9 student Bronte.

Written by Michelle Kadarusman

Pajama Press

978-1-77278-260-8

224 pp.

Ages 8-13

August 2022

Malia is a courageous girl who stands up for what she believes in, but activism can be a risky business. When she gets into some trouble with her school for circulating a petition against palm-oil, a product that many families in her town rely on for their income, she has to make a difficult decision that could result in lots of trouble for many people. Meanwhile she is trying to convince her Canadian-born mother not to move the family from Indonesia where Malia has lived all her life, and where her late father is buried.

Ari spends his days attending school, playing chess, and doing chores around his uncle’s restaurant in exchange for a chance to live with him, and get an education at the local public school. But the guilt of leaving behind his dear cousin, Suni, and the rest of his family has been gnawing on him. Furthermore, Ginger Juice, his uncle’s pet orangutan, has been suffering from her poor living conditions, and he’s worried her days are numbered. 

 

Berani alternates between the points of view of Ari and Malia as they help others and try to solve problems around their communities, as well as that of Ginger Juice, who longs for home. It is an inspiring story ideal for grades 4-6, written by Michelle Kadarusman, award-winning author of books such as Music for Tigers and The Theory of Hummingbirds. As someone who cares for the environment, I think Berani is a fantastic way to introduce some of our world’s problems to kids. This book touches on so many important issues: animal rights, climate change, preserving the environment, the loss of family members, and the struggles of moving. The main characters Ari, Malia, and of course Ginger Juice are brave, kind, and thoughtful. The book’s colourful descriptions and Indonesian words sprinkled throughout (a glossary is provided) really set the scene, and the way the chapters flip between the kids' and orangutan's perspectives is a nice touch as well. It’s a great way to start conversations about our world, and our responsibilities as inhabitants of it. (Michelle Kadarusman includes a section with information on orangutans and how we can help them.) Berani, which I would rate 9 out of 10 stars, is definitely worth a read!

~ Written by Bronte, Gr. 9

The Fort: Guest Review

 This review was written by Grade 8 student Hasini K.

Written by Gordon Korman

Scholastic Press
978-1-338-62914-9
256 pp.
Ages 8-12
June 2022

In The Fort, written by best-selling author of Restart, Gordon Korman, a group of middle-school kids discover an abandoned bomb shelter and decide to turn it into their secret hideout. Keeping a secret isn’t easy; however, sharing your secrets isn't always easy either. But what if that’s the only choice you have? As the fort walls close in, the friends are forced to share crucial secrets with each other to keep the fort safe. What begins as a fun place to escape to quickly becomes a serious refuge for one of the kids attempting to flee a dangerous situation from home.

The story begins with the residents of Canaan waking up to alarming and widespread destruction after Hurricane Leo rips through their town. There are power outages, broken windows, damaged roofs and fallen trees. Evan, Jason, Mitchell, and CJ, four eighth-grade friends, gather to investigate the devastation. However, Evan is forced to bring along Ricky, who has just moved into town and has therefore not made any friends. The rest of the group of friends are less than thrilled about this new addition to their gang. But, can they put aside their differences to do what’s right?

Gordon Korman comes back with another absolutely heart-touching and compassionate story about friendship, family, and especially being there for someone through hard times. I would recommend this book to readers in Grade 4-8; however, it can be enjoyed by any kids from Grade 4 on. Each chapter switches between characters, giving us different perspectives of the unique characters who differ in their personalities and backgrounds making it very interesting to read!

I would rate this book a 9 out of 10, because it really is worth a read! I guarantee that you’ll be able to sympathize with many of the characters. I enjoyed reading this book, especially because although there were lots of different things happening and it was all tied together in the end, and very well at that! I’ve always loved Gordon Korman books, from Restart to Ungifted, and find it easy to relate to the characters and their problems. After reading this book, if you think that small towns have nothing interesting going on, you might have to reconsider! 

~ Written by Hasini K., Age 13

Harvey Takes the Lead: Guest review

This review was prepared by Gr. 9 student Bronte L.

 

Written by Colleen Nelson

Illustrated by Tara Anderson

Pajama Press

978-1-77278-240-0 

288 pp.

Ages 8-12

May 2022

In Colleen Nelson’s book, Harvey Takes the Lead, Maggie and her friend Austin and their adventurous dogs Harvey and Bertie (respectively) volunteer at Brayside Retirement home. But there is much worry at the home with its new management, rules, and the possibility of Harvey’s dismissal as a comfort dog. For one couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kowalski, there is even more anxiety as Mrs. Kowalski is sick in hospital and her husband is anxious for her return, especially with the upcoming Valentine's Day dance. Ever the good listener, Austin does his very best to help the senior cope by listening to accounts of how the couple met in their youth.

Meanwhile, Maggie and Austin have troubles of their own, mostly dealing with friends and school. Maggie is dealing with not getting the part she wanted in her school play and instead getting the role of the understudy to Ndidi, a girl who Maggie doesn't think deserves the lead. Austin, on the other hand, is too embarrassed to tell his best friend that he can't afford to go on a school trip. And Harvey? He's determined to drive out the rodent nest at Brayside, even if it means breaking a few rules.

Harvey Takes the Lead by Colleen Nelson is a good fit for readers in grades 3-6, but can certainly be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a heartwarming story about balancing school, family and friends, and giving second chances. The short chapters alternate between perspectives of Maggie, Austin, and Harvey, giving you a look at each of their unique  experiences. Every single character has a vibrant personality and backstory, including Harvey and Bertie, the beloved canines!

Out of 10, I would give Harvey Takes the Lead a 9. If you think retirement homes are dull, you certainly have not heard about Brayside! I absolutely loved the spunk and courage of the seniors, and Maggie and Austin were such relatable and likeable characters. It is far from the genres I usually read, but I enjoyed it a whole lot more than I thought I would! The story was fast paced, and the short chapters made it a quick and enjoyable read. After finishing this book, you’ll want nothing more than to have a chat with the Brayside residents over coffee and Mrs. O’Brian’s blueberry muffins! 

 

~ Written by Bronte L.

 

• • • • • • • 

 

Harvey Comes Home (2019)

Harvey Holds His Own (2020)

Harvey Takes the Lead (2022)

My Book of Butterflies: Guest review

The following review was written by 

teacher-librarian Elizabeth Cook.

 

Written and illustrated by Geraldo Valério

Groundwood Books

978-1-77306-335-5

48 pp.

Ages 3-6

2021

I was instantly drawn to My Book of Butterflies when I saw its cover. The bright yellow and oversized butterfly wing will capture the attention of everyone when they see My Book of Butterflies by Geraldo Valério. The lively cover made me feel like this was going to be such a happy book that I couldn’t wait to open the cover to discover what the book was all about. The inside cover is equally spectacular with drawings of all of the caterpillars of the book and the back cover has all of them drawn in their chrysalis stages too. I explored these images for a surprisingly long time as I was drawn in by their illustrations and their names (Itys Leafwing and Common Jezebel are my personal favourites).

From My Book of Butterflies by Geraldo Valério

The book begins with Geraldo Valério recounting his childhood experiences watching the caterpillars and butterflies in his home in Brazil. His fascination with these beautiful creatures never ceased and he wanted to share the beauty of the butterflies with all of his readers. The book depicts, with detailed drawings, the metamorphosis from egg to butterfly and the parts of the butterfly, as well including a map of the world where butterflies can be found and a glossary to help inform the reader.  To help organize the various butterflies depicted, Geraldo Valério uses different coloured backgrounds to identify the part of the world where the butterflies can be found. It is a bright and fun way to engage readers with the book.

From My Book of Butterflies by Geraldo Valério

The pages which focus on each butterfly are gorgeous. Simply stunning. The double-spreads are filled with oversized artwork of the butterflies with impressive details demonstrating the delicacy of the wings. Each page turn had me gasping at how pretty each butterfly was. Surrounding the enormous butterfly is a highly modern and almost geometric representation of what the environment looks like for that particular butterfly (I was very fond of the geometric tall grasses and yellow flowers of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing in Papua New Guinea). 

From My Book of Butterflies by Geraldo Valério

While the artwork of the book is clearly the star, the information on each page is also fun to read. Each butterfly is identified by its Latin name and there is a short paragraph with important facts. Most paragraphs focus on one unique fact about the butterfly and would be a great starting point for further research. I enjoyed learning how the European Peacock butterfly hibernates over winter and can hiss to scare away predators such as small rodents.

As a teacher-librarian, I can already tell that this book will be hard to keep on my shelves. However, the students will have to try to be quick to check out this book, as I know a lot of teachers will want to use this book for their science curriculum, particularly the Grade 2 Growth and Changes in Animals unit in Ontario.  Moreover, I know that the art teachers will be checking out the book for students to create some beautiful masterpieces using the illustrations in My Book of Butterflies for inspiration. I will definitely need to get more than one copy for my library...and perhaps one for my home collection!

~Elizabeth Cook is a teacher-librarian in the Halton District School Board. She is an avid reader and fan of Canadian literature. 

Do You Know...? series: Guest review

 

This review was written by Grade 3 student Hudson G.

 

Written by Alain M. Bergeron, Michel Quintin and Sampar
Illustrated by Sampar
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
64 pp.
Ages 7-11

2013-2018

The Do You Know...? series by Alain Bergeron, Michel Quinton and Sampar are little books that are only 64 pages long. This small graphic novel is the size of a regular novel, but is packed with a lot of information and funny cartoons. Children who read this book won’t realize they are learning because the book is one big long cartoon about the animals with scientific facts listed at the bottom. The focus is on the joke with the large picture taking up almost the whole page. The artwork is very cartoonish and that is very good for when kids are learning. This type of artwork attracts children and makes them want to read more. The cartoons are still realistic because dinosaurs look accurate, but it is funny because they are wearing clothes.

Each book in the series is a quick read, taking me about twenty minutes to finish. In those twenty minutes, I learned a lot. The facts were new to me and very interesting. The information learned is quite advanced about these animals. Each book has a glossary at the back to explain the new vocabulary. The graphic novel reads like a comic book and you don’t realize you are learning. So, if you want specific information about a topic, you can look at the index at the back, since there aren’t headings or a table of contents.

I would give this series a 9 out of 10. I couldn’t give it a perfect score because I would like each book to be longer. I wanted to keep reading. I would recommend this book to children in grades three to five because some of the words are harder to understand for younger readers. I only got to read four of the books in the series but I would like to read all of them listed on the back. I am going to ask my librarian to buy the rest of the series for our school so I can read them all.

~Review by student Hudson G., Gr. 3 

 

• • • • • • •

To date, I believe there are 16 (!) titles in this series so Hudson can look forward to more great reading and learning since, like Hudson, I recommend them all as entertaining and informative.

 

Do You Know Chameleons? (2013)

Do You Know Spiders? (2013)

Do You Know Crocodiles? (2013)

Do You Know Leeches? (2013)

Do You Know Rats? (2013)

Do You Know Crows? (2013)

Do You Know Porcupines? (2013)

Do You Know Toads? (2013)

Do You Know Dinosaurs? (2014)

Do You Know Praying Mantises? (2014)

Do You Know Hyenas? (2014)

Do You Know Komodo Dragons? (2014)

Do You Know the Rhinoceros? (2015)

Do You Know Tigers? (2015)

Do You Know Piranhas? (2018)

Do You Know Owls? (2018)

Canadian Women Now and Then: Guest Review

This review was written by Elizabeth Cook.

 

Written by Elizabeth MacLeod
Illustrated by Maia Faddoul

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-0061-5

80 pp.

Ages 9-12

2020

I saw this book on a shelf and was interested to see who would be represented inside.  I am so glad I picked it up. Once I opened the cover, I couldn’t put it down. I love how this book is organized. Each double-page spread is organized by a theme such as doctors. One side of the page focuses on an important Canadian woman who spearheaded change in the past and the other side highlights a contemporary woman who continues to be inspirational or influential in their respective fields, hence, the “Now” and “Then” title for the book. This format will engage young readers to learn about the history of women in Canada, but also to find current connections to people they may hear about in the news. The range of vocations selected for this book is excellent. The book highlights women in the roles of culture keepers, activists, Paralympians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, military members, and so much more.  

From Canadian Women Now and Then by Elizabeth MacLeod, illus. by Maia Faddoul

Elizabeth MacLeod has kept the text brief for each entry. Trying to narrow down the amazing lives of these women must have been a daunting task. Each featured woman has about three to five paragraphs devoted to explaining their lives and achievements. The text is engaging and it kept me reading such that that I completed the book in one sitting. I was drawn in by the stories of these women. Each person is highlighted to show their significance and it sparked my curiosity to do more research on my own. Knowing that every woman who has helped to pave the way for future generations could not be included in the “Then” sections, Elizabeth MacLeod added a text box that features more amazing women with brief notes about their historic roles, thereby offering another great starting point for a reader to conduct further research on that topic. The book also includes a brief timeline of significant events for women throughout history in Canada. I am sure many children will also choose to go forward to research many wonderful Canadian women or events represented in this book. Moreover, Elizabeth MacLeod included quotes from the women showcased and these really spoke to me and I am sure they will inspire young readers to be brave and bold in their lives too. 

 

The artistry in the portraits done by Maia Faddoul is beautiful. The style of the portraits of the women is simple but realistic. Because the pages are dominated by text and white space, Maia Faddoul's artwork really draws your eyes. I also really love the colour palette used throughout the book, for headings, borders and in the portraits. The colours are rich but muted. Because of a lack of bright primary colours, the book feels more significant.

I am excited to add this book to my school library collection. The many contributions of women throughout history have often been ignored and are largely underrepresented in our books on the shelves. I am glad that all students will be able to learn about the fabulous women that have helped shape Canada and that these women will now be represented in  library collections everywhere.

~Elizabeth Cook is a teacher-librarian in the Halton District School Board. She is an avid reader and fan of Canadian literature. 

Animals Illustrated: Wolverine: Guest review

Occasionally I invite young readers to share a review of a Canadian book they've read and enjoyed. Here I'm pleased to share a review of Animals Illustrated: Wolverine by Grade 3 student Hudson G.

Written by Allen Niptanatiak
Illustrated by Patricia Ann Lewis-MacDougall

Inhabit Media

978-1-77227-298-7

28 pp.

Ages 6-8

September  2021 

When I picked out this book, I didn’t know much about wolverines, but I was a little scared of them.  I was hoping to learn more about them so I wouldn’t be scared at all.  This book had good information about wolverines on each page.  The number of words was just the right amount for young readers.  The "Table of Contents" has a good amount of topics covered including: diet, survival adaptations, babies, and tough animals.  The overall information in the book was really good to help the reader understand about wolverines.  These animals are really important to Indigenous people and there is a section on traditional uses.  This section is a great idea to explain to children all of the uses for their fur.  For example, their fur makes parka trim and mittens.  The "Fun Facts" section was also good, but I would have liked more than just three main facts.  Instead of sentences, dot jots would be better to fit in more fun facts on the double-page spread.

This book is illustrated by Patricia Ann Lewis MacDougall and I really like the drawings and how realistic they are.  I felt like it was real life and I was right there with the wolverine.  The muted colours she used seem to represent the wildlife in the Arctic and helps the reader feel the location better.  The art also has labels on the pictures to help the reader understand the text better.  A combination of the information I learned and the beautiful illustrations have helped me to feel better about wolverines and they are no longer scary to me.

~Review by student Hudson G., Gr. 3

 

From Animals Illustrated: Wolverine by Allen Niptanatiak, illus. by Patricia Ann Lewis-MacDougall

• • • • • • •

Inhabit Media's popular Animals Illustrated series currently comprises of nine titles.

Narwhal (2016)

Polar Bear (2016)

Muskox (2016)

Walrus (2017)

Bowhead Whale (2018)

Arctic Wolf (2018)

Caribou (2019)

Wolverine (2021)

Ringed Seal (2021)

The Serpent's Fury (A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying, Book 3): Guest review

 This review was written by guest reviewer Matthew Green

 

 Written by Kelley Armstrong

Puffin Canada

978-0-73527-015-2

352 pp.

Ages 10-14

June 2021

 

 

The Serpent's Fury by Kelley Armstrong is the captivating third installment of the Royal Guide to Monster Slaying series. It’s just as exciting and action-packed as the previous two books, featuring many of our favourite characters as well as some new ones!
 

The Serpent’s Fury tells the story of 12-year-old Princess Rowan, Tamarel’s Royal Monster Hunter elect. Rowan and her fearless companions try to figure out why all the monsters, who up until recently lived in a large forest adjacent to Rowan’s country, are migrating south and interfering with the livelihood of Tamarel’s people. This migration is becoming a danger to Tamarel’s citizens who are getting hurt or even killed. While trying to figure out this mystery, Rowan, Dain, Alianor and some other old and new companions also have to deal with poachers who are trying to take advantage of the disruption. While on the journey, Rowan and her friends learn a lot about the intentions of people and their motives. Whether it’s greed or goodwill, even unconsciously, these intentions will show.

Like the two previous books, one of the many things that I loved is that The Serpent's Fury is told from Rowan's point of view and, like the two previous books, I enjoyed seeing Rowan’s thought process. Another thing that I loved in the Royal Guide to Monster Slaying series is that a few pictures of the monsters that we see throughout the book are compiled after the last chapter. It really helps me visualize the monsters in the book.

In the first two books, the squad that goes adventuring primarily stays the same but, in The Serpent’s Fury, a new character is introduced: Trysten! The “kinda-sorta” prince from Dorwynne was sold into slavery because his father didn’t want any competition for the throne. Now, after he has been saved by Rowan and the crew, he is indebted to them. But his loyalty is questioned by Rowan and the others.
 

The Serpent’s Fury explains all of the things that you need to know, in case you haven't read the previous books (A Royal  Guide to Monster Slaying, 2019, and The Gryphon's Lair, 2020), but I think that you would enjoy The Serpent’s Fury more if you first read the earlier two books.

All in all, I really loved this book! For me, it was super exciting to see Rowan react to these situations with her unique perspective that not every monster that you run into has to be killed. Even though it is a book meant for middle school kids, I think it’s a fun book for all ages. Lastly, and all things considered, I would give this book a 9/10.

P.S. I can’t wait for the next book!

~ Matthew Green, 12 years old, Grade 8

A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying Books 1-3