Fly

Written by Alison Hughes

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-0583-2

200 pp.

Ages 10-14

October 2022

 

...my body is not all that I am. (pg. 40)

Fly is what 14-year-old Felix Landon Yarrow (a.k.a. Fly per his initials) dreams of doing. In his dreams, he is no longer trapped in a wheelchair by cerebral palsy. He is free to spread his arms and soar.

            My disability,

                         my difficulties,

                                               my pain–

often on public display–

are

in fact

all my own.

                                       Private. (pg. 59)

But, Felix is in a wheelchair. And though he feels very much like his pain is often on public display, whether he is working with his aide Levi or being driven in the "special" school bus, he knows that he is invisible to many, especially his peers. Still, that invisibility becomes his superpower, with Felix becoming a "Fly on the Wall" and ready to emulate his literary guide, Cervantes's Don Quixote, and follow truth and justice. His quest: to save his classmate and damsel in distress, Daria, from the arrogant and dangerous Carter.

As Felix watches and learns, he becomes Knightwatch and emails warnings to Daria about Carter and to Carter that his heinous and potentially criminal behaviour has been observed. But, like Don Quixote, along with battles with enemies come inner battles of understanding of self. 

Fly, a novel in free verse, may have a contemporary setting but its story is as classic as that of Don Quixote. It's about finding inner strength and fighting against injustices. But author Alison Hughes makes sure the reader realizes that much of this is also about perception. Told in Felix's voice, the reader will sympathize with his constrained physical nature and applaud his courage to pursue chivalrous goals of protecting first Daria and then others from oppressors. Going after Carter gives Felix purpose, though he doesn't realize until the end that his manner of attack may leave others vulnerable. His goal is outward, to help others, but the learning he takes from his endeavour is all about him and what he needs to do to be fair. The growth that Felix experiences, moving from annoyance at how others judge and treat him to appreciation for efforts others make, is a monumental one. And Alison Hughes takes the readers along on that epic journey through her elegant free verse. The writing flows and has shape that comes with self-discovery, engagement with others and context of circumstances. Felix's story takes a form not unlike his own body, both vulnerable and combative, and we're there for the moment of battle, within and externally, when Felix realizes that some of the limitations to the freedom to fly may be those he's imposed on himself.

Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories

Written and illustrated by Elise Gravel

Chronicle Books

978-1-797214917

104 pp.

Ages 8-12

September 2022

A killer underwear invasion? It must be true if it's been posted in the media, or you heard it from your mother! Right? Or is it? With her quirky art and common sense bathed in tongue-in-cheek humour, Elise Gravel helps young readers recognize the news that isn't real out there, from peanuts that enhance your muscles, and a politician who pinches puppies, to underwear that kills, and how to critically think about the news that is out there.

From Killer Underwear Invasion! by Elise Gravel

In six chapters, Elise Gravel describes what fake news is, why people create it and believe it, why it's bad and how it blows up, and how to differentiate it from the real news. Starting with a fabricated scorpion invasion, Elise Gravel shows how her little monsters create it and disseminate it. To demonstrate the reasons people create it, she uses the nefarious peanut-seller Nerbert. His aim may start with selling a product and making money, but it morphs into dreams of celebrity and power. There's also the aim to spread beliefs and ideas and engage social media. And so, we have fake news.

From Killer Underwear Invasion! by Elise Gravel

The danger of fake news is explicit, especially when it dissuades us from listening to the real experts and compels us to make harmful decisions about ourselves, our environment, our democracies. And when disinformation is woven together, it can overwhelm.

From Killer Underwear Invasion! by Elise Gravel

In the shadow of the disinformation perpetuated on social media, infiltrating everything from our health to our elections, Elise Gravel's Killer Underwear Invasion! is a sobering read. But, because of her comic approach, silly examples, and un-human-like characters, Elise Gravel teaches young readers thoroughly about fake news in a way that they will remember. It's informative without being heavy-handed or preachy, and terms such as clickbait, conspiracy theories, confirmation bias and satire are explained in the simplest of terms, making Killer Underwear Invasion! a perfect read for middle graders and even some younger children. (Especially helpful would be the teacher's guide at https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0261/7291/5805/files/KillerUnderwearInvasion_EducatorGuide.pdf which includes pre-reading activities, chapter by chapter discussion questions and activities, and guidance on evaluating the news.)

From Killer Underwear Invasion! by Elise Gravel

As illustrated non-fiction, Killer Underwear Invasion! will reach young people through its humour and irreverence. But it will teach them to become responsible readers of news and hopefully help them guide others to become better informed participants and patrons of social media and other broadcast accounts.

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

An I Read Canadian Contest: Winner announcement

Last week, to commemorate I Read Canadian Day, I held a contest to test readers' knowledge of Canadian authors and illustrators for young readers. Though some questions were answered correctly by everyone, there were other answers that tripped almost everyone up. In fact, I had to mark submissions manually as some participants gave answers that I had to check might have been correct even if not the answer I had set. (Unfortunately, several of these answers were either non-Canadian authors, or authors but not author-illustrators, or mother and daughter, rather than sisters, or something else altogether.) 

Still, there were two participants who earned 15/18 points (one point for each name) but one spelled Susin Nielsen incorrectly–it is an unusual spelling of the first name–so the winner of the I READ CANADIAN CONTEST is .... 

Deborah Ishii

Deborah is a retired teacher from 

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board in Mississauga.

 

Congratulations, Deborah! 

Thank you to all participants for playing along and celebrating I Read Canadian Day with CanLit for LittleCanadians. 

📕📕📕📕📕

For anyone who wants to check their answers to my contest questions, I've posted them below. 

How well did you do?

Questions and ANSWERS

1. Which Canadian author and Order of Canada recipient has written everything from dystopia, tigers, spies, space, 9/11 to Terry Fox?

ERIC WALTERS

2. These sisters are both author-illustrators. Though they have illustrated their own books as well as those written by others, they have never co-authored a picture book together. Who are they?

RUTH OHI and DEBBIE RIDPATH OHI

3. This author-illustrator is probably the foremost illustrator of plasticine art, winning countless awards for her artwork including the Governor General's award for illustration, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz children's book award, the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Vicky Metcalf award. Did I mention she was also appointed to the Order of Canada? Name this author and illustrator.

BARBARA REID

4. This Canadian author can find the humour in even the most emotional dramas. No wonder a prime-time TV law series which she created is such a hit. Who is this writer?

SUSIN NIELSEN

5. He's done CBC sports, hosted CBC Sunday Morning, illustrates for others, and writes his own picture books and middle grade novels. And he once painted a mural on Yonge Street for his book launch. Who is this author and illustrator?

KEVIN SYLVESTER

6. Though she's written many award-winning books, this Canadian writer was bestowed with the Order of Princess Olha by the Ukrainian President for her depictions of Ukrainian history through her books. Who is she?

MARSHA FORCHUK SKRYPUCH

7. Name two sisters who are Canadian author-illustrators who've written several picture books together.

ANDREA BECK and CAROLYN BECK

8. This author is the founder of Canada's first festival for diverse authors and storytellers and a writer of picture books and novels for young people as well as adults. Name this author.

JAEL RICHARDSON

9. This author has written two picture books, one which highlights the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and the other relates to her grandfather's residential school experience. Who is this author?

MELANIE FLORENCE

10. Though her many novels have social justice themes from across the world including Afghanistan, Malawi, Iran, the West Bank and Bolivia, as well as Canada, her latest ventures are one word-titled short story collections that allow readers to travel to a multitude of countries in one book. Who is this author? 

DEBORAH ELLIS

11. This Quebec author-illustrator is probably best known for her frightened sciurine character but my personal favourite is her red marker-wielding feline with cheek. Who is this creator?

MELANIE WATT

12. This Swampy Cree author has written more than 20 picture books, middle grade, and YA books and won two Governor General Literary Awards. Who is this author?

DAVID A. ROBERTSON

13. This Toronto author blends the surreal with the real so flawlessly that his steampunk airships seem to be historic stories, an attack by aliens with plants and insects seems imminent and the voices of his chiropteran characters totally believable. Name this author.

KENNETH OPPEL

14. This Irish Canadian author has been awarded the Governor General Literary Award twice, both for novels of historical fiction set in the mid-1800s but one originating in Ireland and the other in Virginia, USA. Who is this author?

CAROLINE PIGNAT

15. Most young children will recognize this picture book author's name but they're also probably recognizing the artist who has illustrated more than 25 of his books. Name both the author and the illustrator. 

ROBERT MUNSCH and MICHAEL MARTCHENKO

📕📕📕📕📕 

Thank you again to all participants.

Look for another contest next year

for I Read Canadian Day. 

The Basketball Game

Written by Hart Snider

Illustrated by Sean Covernton

Firefly Books

978-0-2281-0391-2

87 pp.

Ages 12+

October 2022

Although hate speech has been around since time immemorial, there seems to have been a deluge of it in recent years with the news inundated with misinformation, fake news, and bigotry. Sadly, with social media, the dissemination of hate speech has been especially facile. But hate seems to always be there, sometimes overt and sometimes less conspicuous, until it isn't. In 1983, one Alberta teacher who denied the Holocaust in his social studies teaching and promoted hatred of the Jewish people was called out by a parent, leading to dismissal, charges and more. And a basketball game.

Author Hart Snider was just a child in Edmonton when the story of teacher Jim Keegstra of Eckville, Alberta was headline news. However, he was a Jewish child who was attending Camp BB in Pine Lake when his world and that of the news came together. This story, based on a National Film Board of Canada animated short film of the same title, is his camp story from the summer of 1983.

From The Basketball Game by Hart Snider, illus. by Sean Covernton

It was Hart's first summer at Camp BB, and he was just as happy to sit under a tree and read comic books. But, distractedly, he signs up with a pretty camp counsellor for a "social mixer to encourage cultural understanding." When Bill, the larger-than-life camp director, tells them that their day of fun and fellowship, which would include a picnic and a basketball game, would be with Jim Keegstra's former Eckville students, Hart and others wonder how these kids would approach them. And when one boy asks Hart if he actually has horns, Hart wonders if the Jewish kids are all seen as demonic supervillains with horns, or global banking conspirators, or maybe even magical wizards. But then he looks at the Eckville kids and sees them as being no different from skinheads, Nazis or the KKK. Ultimately, it's just a basketball game between a bunch of kids, Jewish or not, having fun.

From The Basketball Game by Hart Snider, illus. by Sean Covernton

The Basketball Game may be a personal graphic memoir of Hart Snider, but it's also a compelling reminder of the impact of hate on children. From Jim Keegstra's antisemitic teachings, which coerced young people to adopt his opinions in order to pass, to the children of Camp BB who enjoyed the familiarity of their Jewish community but anticipated conflict because of it, the story of The Basketball Game is a sobering reminder how vulnerable they are to fake news, misinformation and worse. The stereotypes were embedded in their learning and, with no other basis, it's all they had to go on. The camp boys who are depicted as monstrous members of a blue team must compete against the equally scary members of the Eckville red team. Like the fear they pose, the team members are frightening and powerful. (And fully coloured.) In reality, they are a bunch of young boys, drawn in black-and-white, still open to colour and ideas and not quite grounded in themselves. Canadian animator Sean Covernton contrasts the innocent with the horrific, making the expected far scarier than the reality and reminding us that young children are open to suggestion and vulnerable to those who might mislead them with hateful opinions. He also shows them as kids who want to make friends, read comic books, play basketball, and enjoy the positive traditions of their community.

There is a warning that prefaces the book, cautioning the reader about hateful language and depictions of antisemitism. However, though the book is intended for those twelve years of age and older, The Basketball Game may offer an opportunity for discussion with younger kids with the right approach. (Discussion questions are appended to the story.) It helps children see that not all adults are right, that questioning and discussing difficult topics is worthwhile to ensure understanding, and that kids are kids, no matter what their backgrounds.

From The Basketball Game by Hart Snider, illus. by Sean Covernton

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

An I Read Canadian Contest

 

Let's celebrate I Read Canadian Day today with

 

An I READ CANADIAN Contest

 

Think you know Canadian authors and illustrators of CanKidLit? Or want to learn more? Try my quiz and submit your answers via Google Forms here for your chance to win a box of books for young readers.

How to Play:

There are 15 questions below related to Canadian authors and illustrators. Each answer will require one or two complete names (first name and last name, in English). In total, 18 names will be needed to answer the questions. (Watch your spelling! You could lose 1/2 for incorrect spelling.)

Submission: Submit answers via Google Forms here. Only one submission per person.

Contestants: This contest is open to Canadian residents only. (Address to which the books will be sent must be a Canadian address.) There is no age restriction on submissions.

Deadline: Answers must be submitted by 12 PM EST on Saturday, November 5, 2022.

Winner: A winner will be selected from submissions with the most correct answers. If multiple submissions have the most correct, a random number draw will be made, with numbers based on submission date and time. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 7, 2022 on this blog.

Prize: A box of books for young people written by Canadian authors. (I will consult with the winner about the age group for whom the books were won.)

 Good luck, Canadian readers!

📕📕📕📕📕📕📕

QUESTIONS:

1. Which Canadian author and Order of Canada recipient has written everything from dystopia, tigers, spies, space, 9/11 to Terry Fox?

2. These sisters are both author-illustrators. Though they have illustrated their own books as well as those written by others, they have never co-authored a picture book together. Who are they?

3. This author-illustrator is probably the foremost illustrator of plasticine art, winning countless awards for her artwork including the Governor General's award for illustration, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz children's book award, the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Vicky Metcalf award. Did I mention she was also appointed to the Order of Canada? Name this author and illustrator.

4. This Canadian author can find the humour in even the most emotional dramas. No wonder a prime-time TV law series which she created is such a hit. Who is this writer?

5. He's done CBC sports, hosted CBC Sunday Morning, illustrates for others, and writes his own picture books and middle grade novels. And he once painted a mural on Yonge Street for his book launch. Who is this author and illustrator?

6. Though she's written many award-winning books, this Canadian writer was bestowed with the Order of Princess Olha by the Ukrainian President for her depictions of Ukrainian history through her books. Who is she?

7. Name two sisters who are Canadian author-illustrators who've written several picture books together.

8. This author is the founder of Canada's first festival for diverse authors and storytellers and a writer of picture books and novels for young people as well as adults. Name this author.

9. This author has written two picture books, one which highlights the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and the other relates to her grandfather's residential school experience. Who is this author?

10. Though her many novels have social justice themes from across the world including Afghanistan, Malawi, Iran, the West Bank and Bolivia, as well as Canada, her latest ventures are one word-titled short story collections that allow readers to travel to a multitude of countries in one book. Who is this author? 

11. This Quebec author-illustrator is probably best known for her frightened sciurine character but my personal favourite is her red marker-wielding feline with cheek. Who is this creator?

12. This Swampy Cree author has written more than 20 picture books, middle grade, and YA books and won two Governor General Literary Awards. Who is this author?

13. This Toronto author blends the surreal with the real so flawlessly that his steampunk airships seem to be historic stories, an attack by aliens with plants and insects seems imminent and the voices of his chiropteran characters totally believable. Name this author.

14. This Irish Canadian author has been awarded the Governor General Literary Award twice, both for novels of historical fiction set in the mid-1800s but one originating in Ireland and the other in Virginia, USA. Who is this author?

15. Most young children will recognize this picture book author's name but they're also probably recognizing the artist who has illustrated more than 25 of his books. Name both the author and the illustrator.

Good Luck and Bonne Chance 

to all reader-participants!