Who’s Got Gertie? And How Can We Get Her Back? 

Summary: Stevie Diamond and her friend Jesse Kulniki step into a summer problem when their understanding caregiver Gertie disappears. The children are initially unwilling to inform their parents about the situation and when circumstances force them into disclosure, an unwanted childcare solution looms. The children search locations in Vancouver, British Columbia and encounter some dangerous situations.

Comments: This is the third mystery in the Stevie Diamond series following How Come the Best Clues Are Always in the Garbage? and How Can I Be a Detective if I Have to Babysit? Simple print engages the interest of reluctant readers. Stevie tells the story and reader is offered insight into the craft of detecting. While Stevie often imagines her future as a great detective, she does not take herself too seriously. Effective, new vocabulary is tidily explained in the context of the novel.  Back to: 3-4x List | 5-6x List

MULLIN, Linda  (illus.)

Wesakejack and the Bears 

Summary:  Written in both English and Cree text, Ballantyne retells a traditional Native story. Wesakejack is an unsuccessful fisher. He envies the bears’ ability to fish effortlessly and resents their laughter at his futile attempts to catch fish. Eventually, he accepts the bears’ help and he is able to leave with a plentiful catch.

Comments:  Wesakejack plays the part of the fool in this traditional story. Linda Mullin’s illustrations capture his frustration with a lighthearted touch. As a representation of First Nations’ literature, this text supports social studies curricula. Cree students may enjoy sharing this book with their families and hearing it read to them in the Cree language. Back to: 3-4x List | 5-6x List  

Summary:  This retelling of a native legend is the story of a time when all the people and animals were being disrespectful of life by fighting and killing. The Creator sent a flood to cleanse the earth. Wesakejack, the only man saved, a beaver, a muskrat and an otter floated off on a log. When the rain stopped, the animals took turns diving to find some earth so Wesakejack could make an island. The least likely animal was the one who succeeded.

Comments:  This book written in English and Cree parallels the story of Noah’s Ark. It supports native studies, Grade 3 social studies, religion and studies of legends and folklore. Both language and illustrations are appropriate for the subject.  Back to List

Summary:  When a young Cree boy is sent home from school to learn the meaning of respect, he goes back to the reserve for counseling from his Grandfather. While hunting, fishing and trapping, he experiences what respect is by living with his Grandfather and with the land.

Comments:  The theme of the book, respect for nature and Earth Mother, is relevant to our modern society. The books supports the social studies curriculum and native studies at any level.

***Several reviewers felt this book needed careful teacher direction because of the language used, the vernacular of the Cree culture.  Note: The message sent to children about the lack of respect for our educational system bothered some reviewers.  Back to List

Nasty, Stinky Sneakers 

Summary:  Colin has spent weeks perfecting a terrible sneaker odor for the Stinkiest Sneakers in the World contest. The prize is three brand new pairs of Slam Dunkers sneakers. The afternoon before the big contest, his prize winning sneakers disappear! Colin and his friends only seem to get into deeper trouble and dirt as they try to solve the mystery.

Comments:  The characters struggle with issues of loyalty, honesty and friendship. Humourous characters and situations appeal to reluctant readers.  Back to List

BYARS, Betsy

Summary:  Birch’s grandfather is moving to a retirement home after the death of his wife. In order to fulfill a lifelong wish, Birch and Grandfather decide to take a small airplane trip across the United States before this move. The physical journey precipitates a historical journey as well. En route, Birch learns a lot about her own capabilities and about her grandparents’ life.

Comments:  Strengthening family bonds and working through grief are explored in this book. The text has a clearly resolved problem. This text could connect to science themes of flight and machines. American geography limits its appeal.  Back to List

Summary:  This story takes place in Tornado Alley where a tornado suddenly appears. A farm family takes refuge in their storm cellar. The hired hand begins to share stories with the family of Tornado, a special dog he once had, who literally blew into his life when he was a young boy. The stories entertain the family taking their minds off the danger until the storm passes.

Comments:  This book could be used as a model of some good writing techniques; use of flashbacks, show instead of tell, a story within a story. It also contains accurate information about weather (specifically tornadoes) combined with the love of a pet. This chapter book is an interesting story appropriate for older, reluctant readers.  Back to List

Summary:  Henry, a spunky Siamese cat, thinks he is quite smart but has trouble learning to cross-country ski. However, when he is left behind at the cottage, he packs provisions and skis after his family. Along the way, he meets various winter obstacles but does make it to the road where he pretends he is injured and scared so his owners can rescue him.

Comments:  This adventure story comes with a very good quality tape which has great sound effects and music. A winter setting and cross-country skiing are most appropriate for the Calgary area. The language has a wonderful variety of verbs and the illustrations add to the story.  Back to List

Summary:  A young man and his wife are expecting a baby. The man wants to know what kind of baby so he goes to visit a wise man who says a boy or a girl. The young man consults the wise man a second time when they have trouble naming the baby. Along the way, things get very confused when the husband mixes up the true meaning of words.

Comments:  This humorous story is a retelling of an Ethiopian folk tale. It is based on ridiculous situations. The illustrations, which are bizarre but wonderful, contribute to the silliness of the story. The language used is a good example of pun. This text is a good model for writing off beat stories.  Back to List

FLEISCHMAN, Sid

Summary:  Newbery award-winning author Sid Fleischman of The Whipping Boy writes about his surprise in his becoming an author. As a child, Sid lived, ate and breathed magic tricks to the point that he became a travelling magician before completing high school. Family influences, service in WWII, and his experiences as a screenwriter in Hollywood all gave him the fuel and training to become a writer.

Comments:  Black and white photographs with playful captions and quotations from children’s letters to Sid as well references to his love of magic make this an appealing book for students. This autobiography can lead to students creating their own illustrated autobiographies as well as opportunities for writing to their own favourite authors or heroes. Obvious other links to Fleischman’s novels for children may encourage students to read books by this author who himself is an engaging character.   Back to: 3-4 List | 5-6x List

FLEISCHMAN, Sid

Sumary:  Jake, a young boy, believes his father to have died until he overhears his guardians talking about some mysterious diamonds that his father had hidden which caused him to leave as a bounty had been placed on Father’s head. Jake’s cousins plan to shoot Jim Ugly, his father’s dog, because some people believe that he is a sheep killer. Jake and Jim Ugly run away, join a travelling theatre and spend all their spare time looking for Father. Jim Ugly’s tracking nose leads them to Jake’s father who in turn exposes a scheme for creating investors in a phony diamond mine. Together they return to the farm to reclaim the diamonds that Father had fed to the chickens. Sadly, the chickens and diamonds had dispersed when Cousin Aurora freed the chickens.

Summary:  Children relate well to Jake and Jim Ugly’s relationship because it is an example of how a dog can be a person’s best friend. Jake succeeds because he trusts his instincts. The suspenseful writing draws children into reading on. This text could be loosely connected to socials studies themes of pioneers and settlement of the West.   Back to: 3-4 List | 5-6x List

FLETCHER, Ralph

Summary:  Cliff Abernathy, the oldest of six children chronicles one year of life in a family with his four brothers and sister. Sharing experiences of joy and deep sorrow, eleven-year-old Cliff’s narration tells of his family’s ups and downs from one Christmas to the next. Chapters headed such as "Clifford Allyn Abernathy III", and "A Yidda Yadda" profile one or more of Cliff’s family members. Cliff’s is a strong close-knit family, full of warmth and mutual caring.

Comments:  This novel supports discussions of family relationships. Religious practice and moral behaviour are featured. The humour and poignant sorrow appeal to readers. Because eleven-year-old Cliff’s narration sounds more adult-like than that of a child, this book is most suitable for extensive reading.   Back to: 3-4 List | 5-6x List

GEORGE, Jean Craighead

Summary:  Rebecca is determined to find the wizard hiding the woods. As she explores the woods she finds magic in the wonders of nature: a flying squirrel, a vanishing deer, a wood duckling falling from the sky. The mysterious ovenbird holds the greatest surprise.

Comments:  Ecological themes and the Eastern Woodlands setting support science and social studies curricula. Detailed and descriptive information about woodland animals could be accessed in this novel for a student research project. Along with other list titles by Jean Craighead George, students could use this text as one of many in an author study.  Back to: 3-4 List | 5-6x List

Lily's Crossing 

Summary: Lily has planned a spectacular summer in Rockaway, in her family's cozy house on stilts over the Atlantic Ocean. By the summer of 1944, World War II has changed almost everyone's life. Lily's best friend, Margaret, and her family have moved to a wartime factory town. Worse than this, her father is on his way overseas to the war. Lily makes do on her own until she meets Albert, a young Hungarian refugee boy. He has lost most of his family in the war and has come to America with a secret sewn into his coat. Eventually, the two children, skilled at lying, share their secrets. Lily's lie may endanger Albert's life.

Comments: Friendship and abandonment are common childhood experiences. Because the Lily and Albert experience real friendship, this boy-girl relationship can serve as a model for discussing if boys and girls really can be friends? Lily's character shows growth and students can plot this development.  Back to: 3-4x List | 5-6x List

Summary:  Frankie, a prize winning pig, faces danger when Farmer Halley drops him off in a barn far from home. He makes a daring run for freedom and encounters obstacles along the way until he finds himself at a petting farm where he will have an important job.

Comments:  This story, by award winning author Linda Holeman, raises questions about the need to raise animals for consumption. Students immediately relate this story to other pig stories, Charlotte’s Web and Babe and how these animals saved their lives. The real strength of this novelette is the language which provides wonderful imagery. The book supports studies of community, farms, and pets.  Back to List

HOPKINSON, Deborah

Birdie’s Lighthouse 

Summary:  Birdie, on her 10^th birthday, learns that her sailor father has been named keeper of Maine’s Turtle Island lighthouse. Birdie chronicles in her diary the life of her family in 1885, living in isolation but guarding the lives of seagoers.

Comments:  Children in Alberta might have some difficulty relating to life of Birdie. On the other hand, with sufficient background knowledge, the story could tie in with social studies and science curricula.  Back to List

HOWE, James

Summary:  To their chagrin, Chester, Harold, and Howie find themselves en route to Chateau Bow-Wow, the boarding kennel that Chester has named Howliday Inn, while their family goes on vacation. A paranormal experience with some talking bones and a threat to a Great Dane’s life convince the group to organize an escape.

Comments:  This book is a sequel to "Bunnicula."  Back to List

Summary:  During the Great Depression, Dorothy’s father loses his job. The family borrows a car and drives to Idaho to pick potatoes where they work during the day and are able to pick potatoes for themselves at night. Taking the potatoes back home to eat and sell enables the family to live until father gets another job.

Comments:  Kate Lied, who wrote this story when she was eight years old, recounts tales her Aunt Dorothy told her about the Great Depression. While students may have difficulty relating to the concept of a depression, they can relate to family financial problems. The idea of family stories being passed down through generations and written down by an eight-year old catches children’s interest immediately. While the story is set in the United States it readily adapts to Canadian history.  Back to List

Celia Barker

Summary:  In the late 1800’s, Sam Peppard arrives in a prairie town in Kansas. As a new settler, Sam opens a blacksmith shop which proves to be a gathering place for the townspeople. During his spare time Sam builds an outlandish wagon which is powered by sails. Sam fulfills his dream of traveling to Denver in his wind wagon and has interesting adventures along the way.

Comments:  This prairie adventure story by the award-winning author of Ticket to Curlew, is based on a real-life adventure. While set in Kansas, this story could have taken place in Southern Alberta, where the wind blows regularly and strongly. The length of the novel makes this an appropriate text for students who have a slow rate of reading and find it difficult to complete a longer text. Boys especially enjoy this story.  Back to List

MASTIN, 

Colleayn

SOVAK, Jan 

(Illustrator)

The Magic Of Mythical Creatures 

Summary:  15 mythical creatures, including the lesser-known Japanese Kappa and Canadian Qallupilluk, as well as the obligatory unicorn and mermaid, are briefly described and given full-page illustrations in this catalog-like offering.

Comments:  This book is a good resource that could complement a fairytale/mythology unit. The international flavor lends itself to an exploration of geography. The author grew up in Alberta and resides today in Kamloops, BC and Calgary, AB.  Back to:  3-4 List | 5-6 List

Sylvia

Summary:  Neil’s grandparents are visiting to help out while his mom is in the hospital with his new baby brother. Neil is struggling to fit in and cope with the changes. His policeman father has strict expectations for school work, as well as home responsibilities. Neil has a series of mishaps before getting back on track at school and at home.

Comments:  The themes of changes in the family and how to cope with growing expectations are relevant to children of all ages. The main character, an upper elementary student, eventually learns to take responsibility.  Back to List

PAULSON, 

Garry

Summary:  A young boy and his mother spend Christmas 1943 with relatives in Minnesota while the father is fighting in the war in Europe. His cousin is dying. The young boy encounters his first real experience with death and the first questioning of a belief in Santa Claus. A Christmas miracle restores the boy’s faith in the spirit of Christmas.

Comments:  This touching story is told in the first person by the young boy. We experience his confusion as he deals with his cousin’s sickness and lost belief in Santa Claus. The author uses beautiful description that draws the reader into the story. One reviewer noted that the issue of a belief in Santa Claus is a sensitive one for many children. The story reconfirms the reality of Santa Claus at the end, but could leave some children in doubt that they did not have prior to reading.  Back to List

Summary:  Pip Ramsey buys a set of three wooden Russian nesting dolls at a yard sale for $1.00. Strange things then begin to happen. Pip solves the mystery of why the dolls are in demand by discovering a priceless Faberge egg inside the smallest doll.

Comments:  This mystery deals with honesty, ownership and the idea of finders-keepers. Some Russian history is built into the story. On the whole this is an enjoyable, easy read.   Back to List

Starshine on TV 

Summary: Starshine is fascinated with spiders. She uses her arachnological interest to get into and out of unique situations. As Starshine works on a spider research project, she has many adventures: a television audition, an encounter with a burglar and frustration with her family.

Comments: This text is the third novel in the "Starshine" series and follows Starshine! and Starshine at Camp Crescent Moon. Readers acquire a great deal of facts about spiders especially, Nephila the golden web spider which is featured in this novel.  Back to: 3-4x List | 5-6x List

Stealing Home 

Ten-year-old Thomas lives with his grandfather in Miami. The pair have a strong loving bond. They share a love of listening to baseball on the radio and fishing. Life changes dramatically when Great-aunt Linzy comes to stay. Linzy knows only one sport, "cleaning." Needless to say, Thomas experiences difficulties adjusting to Aunt Linzy’s quirks.

Third in a series about Thomas and his grandfather, Storm in the Night and Go Fish, children who enjoy baseball will like this novel. A fourth recently released novel is Coco Grimes. A strong addition to a sports theme, the text is full of description about baseball games and teams. Thomas’ relationship with his grandfather supports family life themes. Young readers can learn a great deal from Grandfather’s pearls of wisdom.  Back to: 3-4x List | 5-6x List

Summary:  In 1840, in Northern Michigan, Libby, a young white pioneer girl whose father is a surveyor, befriends Fawn, a native girl about her age. Libby becomes involved in a frightening adventure while visiting her native friend when soldiers force the Natives to move off the land and Libby has to go along.

Comments:  While this story is fictional, it is based on historical accounts of the removal of the Potawatomi Indians from Michigan and Indiana in 1840 to make room for white settlers. Students are able to relate the problems of the Indian family to those of the Blood Nation in the social studies unit on Native People. Historical fiction at an easy level is hard to find and this pioneer story is fluid and appealing.  Back to List

WHELAN, Gloria

Summary:  In 1841, 13 year old Libby and her family begin a new life on the shores of Lake Michigan where her father works as a surveyor for the Ottawa Indians. Libby is reunited with her Indian friend, Fawn. Together, Libby and Fawn devise a plan to scare off greedy settlers.

Comments:  The themes of friendship, helping those in need, and standing up for what you believe support the social studies, health and religion curricula. Students enjoy the study of pioneers written at their level of language. This book is a sequel to Next Spring an Oriole and Night of the Full Moon. Back to List

Summary:  When Ginger Brown’s parents get a divorce, she experiences many changes: new home, new school, sharing her grandparents’ home while her mom works and looks for a home with dad away as he is a traveling musician. At first all of this is very confusing to Ginger, but in the end the experience of "too many houses" turns out to be positive. The frightening changes help her to grow and appreciate all her family members.

Comments:  The theme of family dynamics following divorce is relevant for many children in our society and classrooms. The importance of family, treasuring each family member and the wisdom of grandparents is stressed. This novel is an easy-read on a relevant topic.  Back to List

Summary:  Seven year old Ginger and her cat, Leo, are spending their summer vacation down-the-country on her grandparents’ farm. She meets a shy little neighbour boy whom she is determined to befriend. Their friendship grows until their first argument. Issues between their two families have to be resolved in order for reconciliation to occur.

Comments:  The discovery of new friendships and conflict resolution are relevant themes for children. The language is simple and flows easily making it a good read for less able readers interested in social issues.  Back to List