Born a Crime, Trevor Noah's memoir and autobiography about growing up in Johannesburg during apartheid and the turbulent times that followed, is a story that would resonate with any adult, young or otherwise. I laughed out loud in places, but really, this is an emotional story that tells of overcoming poverty, hatred and abuse. This book belongs in our Senior Years classrooms, alongside other powerful memoirs such as The Glass Castle and A Long Way Gone. Yup, it's that good.

I am always on the lookout for stories with Indigenous characters to add to our classroom libraries. This one really appealed to me because, although it focuses on Indigenous people who accomplished amazing feats, it is written by a fellow Manitoban, Wab Kinew. Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes, includes snippets about Jim Thorpe, an Olympic gold medal athlete, Beatrice Culleton Mosionier, author of In Search of April Raintree, Francis Pegahmagabow, the most highly decorated First Nations soldier in Canadian military history, and Dr. Susan Laflesche Picotte, one of the first Indigenous doctors at a time when female doctors of any cultural background were extremely rare. All the heroes included are brought to life by acclaimed Indigenous illustrator Joe Morse. "We are people who matter. Yes, it's true. Now let's show the world what people who matter can do." Such an uplifting message!

Another recent find, Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist, is the story of a woman who was determined to prove wrong those who didn't think women belonged in science. This purchase was a no-brainer, really, because I love anything that Jess Keating writes. Eugenie Clark devoted her life to learning about sharks, and has taught the world that sharks are to be admired and respected, and women in science, too! Full of great information about sharks, this book is sure to appeal to many of our students, I highly recommend this as an addition to your classroom library!

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown
​This is a remarkable graphic novel that explains the heartbreaking and hopeful story of the Syrian refugees - how the civil war in Syria began, and followed by a timeline events including where the refugees first fled, to the opening of borders, to the closing of borders. I would say it is more of an account than an actual story, but the information contained is so necessary for us to know. This would be an excellent addition to a senior years classroom, or a middle years classroom as part of a text set (with Refugee by Alan Gratz, Stepping Stones by Margriet Ruurs, and The Day War Came by Nicola Davies below). 

The Day War Came by Nicola Davies
Inspired by true events, this story tell the experience of a young refugee child who makes her journey all done. The book was founded by the Help Refugees movement and is told lyrically by award winning Davies. This picture book is sobering and promotes the idea that a simple act of kindness can go a long way, even in the wake of war. I highly recommend this book for middle and senior grades. The prose would make a great mentor text for any ELA classroom!

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Oh my gosh! I have been waiting to read this sequel to The War That Saved My Life, and I was not disappointed! Ada's story is one of a young girl sent to the countryside as an evacuee from London during WWII. In the first book, we learn of Ada's trauma and how it affects her - physically and emotionally. This book continues, and we see how Ada's spirit and selfless love affect her own and others' stories. The book is filled with historical elements, and the messages of bravery, truth and kindness make this a truly remarkable read for middle grade and older students (I personally loved it!). Although the book could stand alone, I do recommend reading book one first.

Here are some books that are sure to engage even your most reluctant readers. These beautiful picture books feature animals with some pretty cool adaptations that have allowed them to survive. Some of my favourite authors...

Cute as an Axolotl and What Makes a Monster? by Jess Keating, with illustrations by David DeGrand, introduce readers to some of the most fascinating creatures on earth. In Axolotl, you'll learn about the more adorable animals on earth, including the pom-pom crab, pygmy hippo and dwarf flying squirrel (look them up - they're real!). Monster features the world's scariest animals, including my personal favourite (although I never want to meet it!) - the horror frog (shudder!!!!). The text features provide great opportunities for teaching how to read non-fiction, and if the fascinating information doesn't grab you, the notes at the back of the book will. Why do we perceive some things as "cute," and others as "scary?" This is a great opportunity for a unit on how humans create perceptions, but also how we may differ in opinion. These two texts and Keating's Pink is for Blobfish make up a trilogy you'll definitely want to own!

The Triumphant Tale of the House Sparrow follows The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk (a Canadian Children's Literature Award winner), both by author Jan Thornhill. Unlike the Great Auk, the House Sparrow has thrived for thousands of years, thanks to its ability to adapt to its changing surroundings. How and why has it changed over the years, from Ancient Egypt, to Europe, to North America? And why is it so despised? I love both of these books for the opportunity to teach about animal adaptations, and the how humans affect nature.
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​My brand new book (just released this week!) is Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs, written by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. This book informs the reader about animals that are considered underdogs, due to their clumsy, shy, slow, stinky, and other unfortunate attributes. I learned about some creatures I have not heard of before, including the zorilla (I love that name!) and the hoatzin, and celebrated some of my all-time favourite animals, including the naked mole rat. The text is lively, conversational, and funny, and young children will eat it up!