Tag Archives: Novels

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Global books for global kids – the following brand new titles allow readers to read a variety of viewpoints about people in different cultures.

InA Single Dreadlock, written by Xaiver Michael Campbell, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes, Lovie was always the same as the other kids in Jamaica. But now that he lives in Newfoundland, he looks different. Especially his hair. Lovie misses his grandma who would smooth his hair down and braid it, something his dads can’t do properly. And when he gets teased in class, he really misses his grandma. As a surprise, she shows up at Channukah time! With jars of hair grease and a whole lot of love and wisdom that help Lovie to be proud of his dreadlocks.

Groundwood Books, ISBN 978-1-77306-938-8

The Sunshine Project is Uma Krishnaswami’s newest title in the Book Uncle trilogy. Set in India, three best friends are assigned school projects. But they have to work with different students from their class. While delving deeper into the city’s commitment to building a new factory to produce solar panels, they discover that it is not as positive as you might think. A coastal village and wilderness area are threatened by the factory. The children involve everyone in their neighborhood, making new friends along the way, and work hard to convince the mayor that there are better ways to accomplish his goals. Weaving in family, sports and every day settings, this is a fun story for young readers.

ISBN 978-1-77946-053-0, Groundwood Books

Words Matter by Anita Fitch Pazner, with art by Sophie Casson is a small but incredibly important book for today. The subtitle is The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose Resistance. This deceptively simple story tells us of the beginning Nazi movement in Germany, where a financial depression leaves people desperate for a new, dynamic leader. But Hitler uses freedom of speech to spread lies and make the people afraid – afraid of those who are different from themselves. 

At first Hans and Sophie are excited to join a youth movement. But soon, their upbringing of sharing ideas and reading many books, leads them to see the truth. 

The book uses a powerful refrain throughout the story to show the importance of words. When books get burned, people will follow. And so Hans and Sophie have to make a choice – to do what is wrong or to stand up for what is right.

A fabulous, and important, book to help readers of all ages understand the past and navigate the future. 72 pages, labeled ages 9-12.

Groundwood Books, ISBN 978-1-77306-970-8

Gandhi, a Manga Biography by Kazuki Ebine.

Through his quietly powerful leadership and influential use of nonviolent resistance in India’s struggle against the British Raj, Mahatma Gandhi became one of the most revered figures of the modern era. While history has recorded Gandhi’s words and deeds, the man himself has been eclipsed by maxims of virtuosity that seem to have little resonance in our everyday lives. In Gandhi, the third volume in our exciting new manga biography series, created in conjunction with Emotional Content, Kazuki Ebine combines a gripping narrative with stunning illustrations to share Gandhi’s inspiring and deeply human story with a whole new generation of readers. Developed in conjunction with Emotional Content.

ISBN 978-0143120247, Penguin Books

Careful What You Wish for by Mahtab Narsimhan is the perfect high interest, low vocabulary novel for tech savvy teens. Eshana does not have much of a social life. While she does have one best friend, she is envious of girls who hang out together in groups. And, even though her parents and computer class teacher have warned her about visiting unknown websites, she is attracted to a wonderful looking site that draws her in with a fairy tale setting and the promise of wishes come true. 

And what else would she wish for than friends, no more school bully and money?! Little did Eashana realize that her wishes would come at a cost. Too high a cost. Will she be able to break the spell cast online? And will she be better off in the end? A gripping read for middle school.

ISBN 978-1-4598-3400-2, Orca Books

Margriet Ruurs is the author of many books for children. She is available for author visits and writing workshops at International Schools: www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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In his book The Butterfly Lion, Michael Morgurpo writes, ‘I met the best friends I ever had in books.’  Books can be your best friends and best friends in school are important to all children. Here are some great books about books ánd friendships. A good way to start off a new school year!

Welcome The New Kid/The New Kid Welcome, by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Nicole Miles, is a story told forward and backward. The text, printed in the center of the book, is used one way from start to end, and then used from end to start in the other half of the book. Interestly, this changes the story of how to welcome a new child in a school. Do you make friends and include him? Or do you feel that it is not necessary to welcome him and leave him alone instead? An interesting story concept that will be fun to read and discuss with students, especially when a new student is coming or at the start of a new school year. ISBN 978-0-593-42632-6, Random House Kids

Yours in Books by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Gabriel AlborozoOwl loves reading but his neighbourhood is noisy and there are too many interruptions. He embarks on a correspondence with B. Squirrel who runs a lovely book shop. Squirrel tries to send Owl helpful books and has many suggestions for Owl to share books with the critters around him. Not only does Owl read to the little ones, he also starts baking and making crafts with them. Through the love of books, each makes new friends and, together, they have a fabulous tea party and Owl ends up reading books to a wider audience. A beautiful picture book to share and have a classroom tea party, this is one of those wonderful books that kids will remember fondly. ISBN 978-1-951836-20-7, Cameron Kids

Books Make Good Pets by John Agard, with illustrations by Momoko Abe, is a fun picturebook to share out loud when introducing new readers to the library. ‘Books make good pets and they don’t need to go to the vet!’ is the repeated sentence in this poetic story. The lovely illustrations compare books to birds or puppies, rodents or lizards. And the books win out every time because they set your imagination soaring. ISBN 978-1-4083-5988-4, Hachette Childrens

Is There A Boy Like Me? by Kern Carter is a wonderful novel for teens, perhaps especially for kids in international schools. London is a teenager. Like many teens, he faces complex friendships in school. He also has a lot of parental pressure on having to be the best in many areas, including in coding class which his father wants him to take but in which he himself is not at all interested. His own passion is drawing, reading and writing but his father believes there is no future in that. London navigates between these obstacles while trying to stay true to himself and his best friend, who happens to be a girl. Teen pressure at school and parental pressure at home don’t make life easy for this fourteen year old but London uses his talents and unleashes both critique and support when he creates web-comics that go viral. Not only does this lead new friendships, it also realizes London’s dream of writing a graphic novel. A fun and interesting read.

ISBN 978-1-4431-9842-4, Scholastic Canada

Book Two in the Nish series by Isabelle Picard is called Northern Lights. Nish in Innu means ‘two’ and is linked to the experience of being an indigenous person as well as to the fact that the two main characters in this novel are twins.

Leon and Eloise and their family have moved south from the Arctic to Quebec. Not only do the twins have to learn French, they have to go to a new school and make new friends. Students in international schools will be able to relate to their story of trying to fit in, make friends and pursue their interests in a new environment. The book uses some sentences and words in Innu and also shows the kids’ connections with old friends via text messages.  ISBN 978-1-0397-0455-8, Scholastic Canada

Margriet Ruurs writes books for children and makes new friends in international schools around the world when she conducts author visits. http://www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Summer is the time when educators might be lucky enough to curl up with a good book that is not work related. So here are some of my favourite books I recently read. Most will have something of interest to people who travel and work in different countries. Happy reading!

Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before by Tony Horwitz is the nonfiction tale of two epic exploration voyages. The first is that of James Cook, who left England without GPS, any technology or even maps, and sailed off into an unknown world of dangerous oceans, climates and unfamiliar cultures. The second story, woven skillfully in between, is the contemporary journey undertaken by the Australian author as he retraces Cook’s footsteps and follows in his wake. He visits every Cook memorial site and museum, even meets descendants of those who met the famous explorer who changed our world forever. The intertwined story is often hilarious and has many unexpected details. It is a great, well researched read by a Pulitzer price winning author with a sense of humour and adventure.

ISBN 978-0312422608, Picador Publishing

The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell is a great read. It was written in 2015, I ‘discovered’ it in 2025 and loved it. And shortly after I read it, it appeared in cinemas as a movie. As is often the case, this book was better than the movie, even though it was enjoyable to watch. But the book offers the reader a chance to live inside the head of a young man, ready for adventure and for his first teaching job overseas. He gets hired, leaves England and embarks on his teaching career in Argentina in the ’70’s. But Tom is more keen on travel and exploring the country than being stuck in a classroom. During one of his first breaks, he rescues a penguin from an oil spill. What do you do with a penguin? Tom ends up smuggling it into his room at the posh, all boys boarding school where the penguin lives in hiding. But not for long. Eventually, the feisty bird becomes a favourite with boys and staff alike and leads them to new adventures and challenges. A great, nonfiction read!

ISBN 978-0718181635, Michael Joseph Publisher

The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor by Sally Armstrong is a fascinating read about explorers, pioneers and settlers and the early formation of Canada as we know it today. Using a seamless blend of fact and fiction, the story of Charlotte Taylor is based on the real life of the author’s great-great-great-grandmother who, in 1775, at the age of twenty, flees her English country home to boarded a ship to Jamaica with her lover, the family’s black butler. Soon after reaching shore, Charlotte’s lover dies of yellow fever, leaving her alone and pregnant in Jamaica. In the sixty-six years that follow, she finds refuge with the Mi’kmaq First Nation of what is present-day New Brunswick. Eventually Charlotte becomes a feisty homesteader, survives three husbands, has nine more children and a lifelong relationship with an aboriginal man. A book that sheds a realistic light on the period of first contact between white settlers and Canada’s original inhabitants – an important part of Canadian history in the form of a fascinating novel.

ISBN 978-0679314059, Vintage Canada

Margriet Ruurs is the author of 40 books for children and an avid reader. She is currently taking bookings for Author Visits to International Schools during the 2025/26 school year.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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Readers can also be writers. And all writers should be readers. Here are some wonderful books about books or writing.

Yours in Books, by Julie Falatko, lovely illustrated by Gabriel Alboroza, is the perfect picturebook for all booklovers – both in text and art. Grumpy Owl lives alone and wants peace and quiet to read books. The entire book is an exchange of letters between Owl and Squirrel, who owns a bookshop, all delivered by Snail. The letters start off formal but the two become friends as Owl orders books and Squirrel tries to send him titles he might like. But the noisy neigborhood children keep interfering. Owl doesn’t know what to do when the children keep coming, making a mess of his house and wanting to hear stories. Not only is this a wonderful story of the love of books, but also of making friends and sharing. ISBN 978-1-951836-20-7, Cameron Kids

Biblioburro, a True Story from Colombia, by Jeanette Winter, is the lovely, true tale of Luis who loves books. When his wife tells him that he has enough books in their house, Luis and his two donkeys – Alfa and Beta, start sharing the beloved books with people in remote villages. Now, the people of the hillsides look forward to Luis’ regular visits when they can get more books to read. And people around the world have heard of his mobile library. With simple text and lovely illustrations, this picture book is perfect for younger students. ISBN 578-1-4169-9778-8, Simon and Schuster

Best Wishes – Like A Boss by Sarah Mlynowski and Hena Khan is a fun chapter book. Maya Amir has a hard time making decisions. She really wants to be president of her school’s environmental club. Should she put her hand up? Would they vote for her? By the time Maya makes up her mind, it’s too late. Later that day, Maya receives a mysterious package and finds a beautiful, magical bracelet. With the help of online friends, Maya discovers that the bracelet will grant her a wish. But she has a hard time deciding until she does so inadvertently. Her wish comes true – she becomes a true leader, not just of her environmental club, but of her class, her school and ultimately her country. Could she get world leaders to agree on climate change while she is in charge? A fun read with a bit of magic. ISBN 978-1-5461-0269-4, Scholastic

Two Tales of Twenty-Six, written by Stephanie Simpson McLellan and illustrated by Mike Deas, is an unusual chapter book for beginning readers.  One side features Liam and the Letters, a tale about a boy struggling to learn how to read. He wrestles his way through the letters that seem to jumble and jut everywhere. But slowly Liam starts to recognize them: the first letter of his name, the letters in the stop sign and much more. Until one day, when the seasons have changed, he has untangled all 26 letters of the alphabet and can read the entire story about a mouse who sets of on a dangerous journey past cats. Liam is thrilled. And when the story ends, you turn the book around and there…. is the story of the mouse and twenty six cats! In Walter and the World the mouse faces obstacles, too, but by wise observation he too, manages to learn a new skills by the time the seasons change. And at the happy ending of his adventure, you can turn the book around and read the other side again. A clever, endearing story that beginning readers will likely fondly remember for the rest of their life. The text and art form a wonderful coherent whole that jointly tell the story. ISBN 978-0889957466, Red Deer Press

Half Truths, Carol Baldwin

In this excellently written historical fiction novel for teens, Anna Katherine (Kate) lives in North Carolina, in 1950. Her tobacco grower father can’t afford to send her to college but Kate dreams of becoming a newspaper reporter. To achieve her dream in that era, she is even willing to move to Charlotte and stay with her strict grandparents.

The period and setting are reminiscent of To Kill A Mockingbord. As Kate snoops around her grandparents’ house and meets more people, she uncovers many half-truths. The town, too, is torn over unequality between whites and blacks. Do reporters cover things up or do they have a responsibility to report the whole truth? 

“Journalists have lots of opportunities to speak the truth. I hope you do it,” her black friend Lilian tells her. 

Between forming new friendships, going to a new junior highschool and caring for her goat, Kate has plenty of problems. And while exploring her grandmother’s attic, Kate unearths a secret that rocks her world and her new friend Lillian’s too. The shocking discovery reveals half-truths that threaten the girls’ friendship. 

Through a mentorship with a newspaper editor, Kate realizes that journalism requires honesty. But if she reveals what she has learned, what price will she pay?

This book deals admirably with racial discrimination and segregation. The language is historically accurate and depictions of southern towns, segregation, KKK activities and relationships are all depicted based on thorough research. Written with sensitivity and historical accuracy this book encourages critical thinking, empathy, and discussions about past and present social issues. Highly recommended. ISBN-13 :  978-1957656854, Monarch Educational Services

Margriet Ruurs writes books for children and reads nonstop. She conducts author workshops at International Schools and is available for the 2025/26 school year: www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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These new titles are not just great reads. They also focus on the importance of friendship and helping each other, making valuable tools for any classroom.

The One and Only Question by Norma Charles and Andrea Charles, illustrated by Ken Daley, is a great picture book to use in schools or anywhere else! Zeke starts at a new school and is very worried that he will be teased because of his skin colour. The first day does not start of great. Zeke knows it will not be a good day. He does not expect much. His teacher doesn’t smile, his lunch is soggy, he doesn’t win a race. But then a bigger kid doesn’t call him names but compliments him. And, to his surprise, Zeke’s first day at his new school is not so bad after all! And who knows, tomorrow may even be better! A great story for kids to recognize themselves, and a perfect tool for educators and parents to discuss racial discrimination and bullying.

ISBN 978-1-77306-965-4, Groundwood Books

Here is a great article about this book, by the author, for educators:

Norma Charles on Teaching and Writing

The Lion and The Bird by Marianne Dubuc is a tender, touching story. This akmost wordless picturebook works on many levels and for many ages. Lion is satified, working in his garden. But when a wounded bird lands in his garden, he gently nurses it and, throughout that winter, Lion and Bird hang out together. They read, they eat, they tell tales by the fireplace. But when spring arrives, and Bird’s flock returns, Bird flies off. Lion is sad and lonly but tends his garden as he did before. His garden flourishes but Lion is lonely. Until one Fall day, Bird returns to spend winter with his favourite friend. A beautifully illustrated book that subtly shows the joy of friendship.

ISBN 978-1-59270-151-3, Enchanted Lion Books

Shanti Fights For Her Rights by Marcia E. Barss is a novel about Shanti, a 15 year old girl in a village in India. Shanti loves school but her father is making plans to have her married. In their culture, women obey the men in their families and both Shanti and her mother are powerless to convince him otherwise. Until Shanti visits her married sister in a nearby village and learns about a community support group in which women help each other to the betterment of their village. Shanti learns about new laws and ways to make her father see the benefit of a girl’s education. With the help of her friends, things change for the better – both for Shanti and for their community. The book is based on a real NGO in India called Tharuni which supports girls and women to combat child marriages and increase health and nutrition. A fascinating read for young people anywhere to become aware of how others live.

This is a great book to help celebrate International Women’s Day in schools, especially when paired with books I previously discussed: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Burying The Moon by Andrée Poulin.

ISBN 978-1-989833-32-2, OC Publishing

Stopping The Shots by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson is a good novel that hockey lovers won’t be able to put down. Mike, and his brothers Eric and Liam, live on a farm in Alberta. And, like good Canadian kids, they love nothing better than to play hockey. The realistic story is full of exciting games but also of brother rivalry and worry about their family farm. Mike, as the oldest, feels responsible for his younger brother. But this story also shows that everyone should take ownership of their own behavior and its consequences. When Eric has an accident, he finally sees that he can’t blame his brother and needs to change his own behavior. And Mike learns that honesty is more important than new hockey pads. A page turner!

ISBN 978-1-0397-0119-9, Scholastic Canada

Margriet Ruurs is the writer of over 40 books for children. She visits International Schools around the world:

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

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What is life like for other people in different places? How was life in different times? We can find facts online but the best way to create empathy and understanding is through books and good stories.

The Moon’s Journey by Beryl Young, illustrated by Sean Huang, is based on the true story of an Irish family immigrating to Canada in the 1950’s. Faith is sad to leave home. She has to give away her dearest possessions, including her dog, and say goodbye to the house she loves. She will also miss the moon that always shone in the night sky. But her brother promises to ask the captain of the ship that will take them across the ocean, to tow the moon behind the ship. All through the voyage, Faith worries because the moon is not there, in the cloudy, foggy skies. But she is happy to see her father again, who takes them from Pier 21 in Nova Scotia to their new house, where a kitten awaits her. And when the family gathers outside that night, a bright full moon greets them over their new home. A lovely story about immigration and moving to a new place. ISBN 978-088-9957-473, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley is not a new book by any means. But it is a perfect book. Especially for international schools. With sparse language and gorgeous photos, this picturebook shows that people, and especially children, around the world do similar things in their daily lives. They wake up, make breakfast, go to school albeit in many different ways. They have chores or homework and spend time with their families. A perfect book that will interest readers of all ages and can lead to wonderful shared reading, discussions and writing of personal stories in the classroom. ISBN 978-1-4263-0460-6, National Geographic Partners (I also see a Scholastic edition. If you can’t find it in your local bookstore, you can order it online at: www.betterworldbooks.com)

The Bluest Sky by Christina Diaz Gonzalez is a novel set in the 1980’s in Cuba. Héctor has grown up in a country under communist regime. He doesn’t really know his father, who spoke out against the regime and consequently spent time in prison and was then exiled to the USA. Now his mother wants to leave, too. But if that fact becomes known, his family would be labeled as traitors and their lives would be in danger. Does Héctor really want to know his home country, his friends and family? Will he leave everything behind and find freedom in the US or will it cost his family their lives? This exciting story paints a realistic picture of what life was life in Cuba in the 1980’s.

ISBN 978-0-593-37279-1, Random House Kids

Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami is a fun chapter book for young readers based in a city in India. Yasmin and her friends are upset when they discover that the Free Little Lending Library on the street near their apartment building has been ordered to close. But the books Book Uncle has lent them, encourage Yasmin to take action. Upcoming city elections help her to get her teacher and class involved. Many letters to the candidates running for mayor help to get Book Uncle back in business. A fun read for booklovers and young activists. ISBN 978-1-55498-808-2, Groundwood Books

Margriet Ruurs writes books for children in Canada. She reads all the time and presents writing workshops at International Schools. Book now for the next school year: www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

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Here are some wonderful, new novels for young readers to curl up with – at home or in school.

The Party Diaries by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel, is a fun series of early read chapter books. Fairy Tale Puppy Picnic, the newest installment, is the story of Priya who runs a successful business planning parties, always with a good cause. This time she organizes a puppy party to benefit endangered wild dogs in Africa. The early chapter books are divided into chapters and use mostly speech bubbles. Bright illustrations add to the contents. The story includes how Priya deals with her tasks (making lists, planning ahead), handles anxiety, learns new skills and more. But mostly it focuses on topics that readers will enjoy and learn from. There is also information on the wild dogs and their habitat. Simple books that work on many levels!

ISBN 978-1-338-89690-9, Scholastic

The Go-Between by Jennifer Maruno is based on a true story. Set on British Columbia’s west coast in the 1920’s, Sumi is the 12 year old daughter of a Japanese family. She was born in Canada but discriminated against by many white Canadian people. Sumi takes her sister’s place to work as a housemaid for a doctor on the Sunshine Coast, enabling her sister to get trained as a dressmaker. The setting, the strike at a cannery, as well as most of Sumi’s other experiences, are all based on the author’s mother-in-law’s life in BC as a young Japanese girl. Spunky Sumi loves reading the newspaper and wants to become a reporter. But the treatment she encouters as a girl of Asian descent makes it clear that she may not have that choice. The story is a fascinating read, both as Sumi’s story but also as a historical account. Highly recommended as a good read that can lead to classroom discussions on discrimination and racial tensions.

ISBN 978-088995-7312, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Ephemia Rimaldi by Linda Demeulemeester is a wonderful read. Set in the early 1900’s during the time of suffragists, in a fictional town, and in a traveling circus – this is a refreshingly different setting for a fun adventure story in which a spunky girl fights for equal rights. The tone of the book reminds me of the great books by Eva Ibbotson. Ephemia was raised by an aunt who believed in women’s rights and equality, who encouraged her to go to college and taught her to believe she could do anything. But the father who abandoned her as a baby, turns out to be a stern ringmaster who is not waiting for his daughter to become part of the circus. However, Ephemia has her own strong will and soon sets out to make things better for all people, and animals, at the circus.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a good read.

ISBN 978-0889957299, Red Deer Press

Closer To Far Away by Kristin Butcher is a wholesome, old fashioned novel. Fans of books like Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie will enjoy emerging themselves in this story which is set in 1921, rural Saskatchewan on the Canadian prairies. Lucy has just lost her mother and tries desperately to hold together her family. She cooks and cleans for her older and younger brothers and her dad. But running a household besides her school work is proving too difficult. Besides, her older brother is getting involved with a friend who is nothing but trouble. When her father hires help, Lucy feels like she failed her family. Will her little brother forget all about their beloved mother? Will the older one leave home? Lucy’s struggles will resonate with middle grade readers.

ISBN 978-0889957497, Red Deer Press

Margriet Ruurs is the author of many award winning books for children. She conducts author presentations at International Schools.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

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Stories bring the world home. The following brand new books are great stories to share with children that will expand their world and understanding of others.

Playdate Surprise by Karen Autio, with illustrations by Laura Watson, is the story of two friends, Kayla and Piper. Kayla is excited to have her new best friend come to her house. They play with a dollhouse and with Kayla’s dog. But when Piper invites Kayla to her house, they have to wait until Kayla’s dad can help bring her wheelchair up the steps. Then they have fun playing at Piper’s house and teaching her dog new tricks.

And when they afix a ramp to the dollhouse, Piper has an idea. The big surprise for Kayla at their next playdate, is a real ramp at Piper’s house. Now they can visit anytime!

A gentle story about friendship and a subtle reminder to make places accessible for all.

ISBN 978-1-4431-9981-o, Scholastic Canada

Getting Us To Grandma’s by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms, is an ode to maps and the atlas. Nikki and her family drive from Toronto to New York to visit family, in an era before GPS or digital maps. Nikki loves nothing better than to follow the lines on the map and read the unusual place names along the way. And when everyone else is asleep except her and her driving dad, she is the one who saves the day when they miss an exit. A fun picture book for travelers who still like to explore maps.

ISBN 978-1-77306-689-9, Groundwood Books

Black Sunflowers by Cynthia LeBrun is the in-depth story of life in Ukraine in the 1920’s. Inspired by a real life story, this novel paints a realistic portrayal of life under Soviet regime. The story is told in two voices: that of a young girl named Veronika, and the voice of her father, Janek. The details of food, hunger, hardships and a family’s love are all too real. This novel will appeal to both adults and younger readers to gain inside into the history and humanity of people in Ukraine.

ISBN 978-1554556434, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Go Home, by Terry Farish and Lochan Sharma is a powerful novel. When refugee families move to a town in New England, life becomes complicated for many. The new family is trying to settle into a new life, finding work and a place to live. But do they take the jobs that the people who already lived there, wanted? Do they get benefits that long time residents don’t get? Olive loves Gabe, her long time boy friend. But Gabe and his father hate the newcomers, they want to keep New England white. Olive is caught between Gabe and getting to know Samir and his family from Nepal. But she realizes that Gabe and his family are the source of escalating aggressions towards the new immigrants. How do you reconcile these two opposing sides? This book is an in-depth look at real life factions across the country and can serve to generate awareness of a serious problem, as well as encourage classroom discussions.

ISBN 978-1-77306-910-4, Groundwood Books

Margriet Ruurs loves to share books with you. She conducts author visits to international schools around the world.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

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If you manage to put the right book into the hands of a young reader, fiction can get them hooked on reading. Below are some wonderful new novels that really draw the reader into a new world. Whether it is fantasy or realistic fiction, these books will be valuable additions to any (classroom) library.

Out of the Valley of Horses by Wendy Orr is a magical story. Young readers who like magic, adventure and horses will love it! Orr is a skilled storyteller and has expertly woven real elements into a mystical tale. The author has created a fascinating new world that will captivate readers’ imagination. A family, a camping trip in a van, a pandemic which changes the world, and a valley from which there is no escape. The book’s main characters are children who are strong and smart and solve the main problem – all the ingredients needed for a spellbinding tale. Honey and her brother Rumi are the heroes, assisted by horses with superpowers that seem as real as the valley in which they live. A touch of Pippi Longstocking combined with a setting as magical as that of Orr’ popular book Nim’s Island, with a sprinkling of ancient fairy tale dust and plenty of magical horses, make this a must-read.  ISBN 978-1-77278-311-7, Pajama Press

Nish by Isabelle Picard is told in an authentic voice that places this novel in a refreshingly real setting that has been missing in children’s books. ‘Nish’ means ‘two’ in the language of the Innu, the people of northern Quebec. Eloise and Leon are 14 year old twins. People in their aboriginal village speak French and Innu and some English. Each of them tells their own story in alternating chapters. The teens have adventures that are realistic and interesting to read, both for children who will finally recognize their own setting in a book, as well as for young readers who can learn what life is like in a different place in North America. 

Leon loves hockey. He and his friends take part in regional competitions and have to fly to the big city for a tournament. Eloise films around her village as she and her teenage friends make a video for a school project. An interesting read based in a place that is rich in stories but not often used in contemporary books. ISBN 978-1-4431-9723-6, Scholastic

The Party Diaries’ Top Secret Anniversary, written by Mitali Banerjee Ruths and illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel, is fun chapter book for early readers with lots of illustrations. Priya, the returning main character from other books in the series, has started her own Party business. While planning a secret anniversary party, she has to do research, make invitations, plan decorations and much more. All the while, Priya keeps notes and shares her crafts with readers so that they, too, can plan special parties. In addition to just having fun, she also raises awareness and support for manatees, an endangered species. ISBN 978-1-338-79990-3, Scholastic

A Bucket of Stars by Suri Rosen is a wonderful novel for young teens to sink their teeth in. Written in a powerful voice reminiscent of Susin Nielsen or Kate Di Camillo, this is the story of Noah and his older brother. They move to their father’s home town not long after losing their mother. Their father has lost all interest and has given up on his passion: the stars in the night sky. Noah misses how his father used to teach him about constellations and galaxies. While his brother hooks up with new skateboarding friends, Noah meets Tara who loves to make films. Unwittingly, the two encounter a crew of unscrupulous characters, get blamed for the destruction of a heritage home and find evidence of much wrong doing in their new home town.

This is a wholesome page turner sprinkled with amazing true facts about our solar system. A great book to put in the hands of students or to use as a classroom read aloud in grade 5 and up. ISBN978-1-4431-9279-8, Scholastic Canada

Margriet Ruurs writes books for children and conducts author presentations at International Schools. She is now taking bookings for the 24/25 school year.

www.margrietruurs.com

Margriet Ruurs

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

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From elephants to sea turtles, from caterpillars to owls, here are some fabulous (new) books for children – and nature lovers of all ages – to learn more about the natural environment. I have included fictional and nonfiction texts, both picturebooks and novels.

The Smallest Owlet, written and illustrated by Georgia Graham, is my new favourite nonfiction picture book with gorgeous art. It is an intimate look at day by day life of a pair of Great Horned owls. As we follow the hatching of eggs and growing of young, we learn about diet, growth and dangers faced by these majestic birds. Did you know that Great Horned Owls do not have eye balls? Or that the ‘ears’ on their head are not ears but feather tufts? A fascinating look at all things owl that shows readers how impressive nature has designed the smallest details. A beautiful book for owl lovers of all ages.

ISBN  978-1554556144, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Coco and the Caterpillars by Geraldo Valério has wonderful paper collage images. My favourite character is Coco the chicken, who has a mind of her own. While a little boy studies books about plants, bugs and flowers, Coco is busy pulling tasty worms from the soil. While the boy discovers butterfly eggs underneath a leaf, Coco is chasing insects to eat. The boy can’t wait to see what kind of butterflies will come from the eggs and is careful not to show Coco. But when he goes to find her more chicken treats, Coco finds and devours most of the newly hatched caterpillars. And then she has a tummy ache. Luckily she did not eat all caterpillar and some turn into beautiful monarch butterflies. And while the boy studies their beautiful wings, Coco tries to catch them but they are too big for her now! 

If you have ever used The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle in your classroom, this will be a valuable addition to your lesson plan about gardens and insects.

ISBN 978-1-77306-798-8, Groundwood Books

Written by science writer Dr. Wayne Lynch, the book Bears, Bears, Bears for Kids is the ultimate guide to all things bear. Not only does it include information on polar bears, grizzlies and black bears, but also on sun bears, sloth bears and many more. The informative text is full of fascinating facts. The photos give an intimate look into the lives of bears, what they eat, how they survive, and much more. A must-have bear guide for every classroom.

ISBN 978-1554556137, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Little Bull, Growing Up in Africa’s Elephant Kingdom by Ellen Foley James is an older picturebook but so beautiful that I hope you can still find a (used) copy for your students. Through perfect text and photos, the author share the magic and the facts about a baby elephant, his environment, his family and his herd’s life. The book touches on lifespan and challenges faces by elephants, including drought, enemies and food. The photos are gorgeous and are a great reflection of the reality of Africa’s plains in the shadow of mount Kilimanjaro. Using a baby elephant makes the book very relatable for kids. 

ISBN 0-8069-2098-X, Sterling Publishing Co.

We The Sea Turtles by Michelle Kadarusman is a wonderful collections of short stories featuring turtles around the globe. Each chapter is placed in a different place: Australia, Florida, Indonesia and many more. Each story is a complete and interesting tale, always focusing on a turtle and its importance to man and nature. Stories deal with environmental issues, endangered species and global warming. This book is a must for any turtle lover and works for readers of all ages. Highly recommended for pleasure reading as well as adding value to curriculum content.

Use a world map to pinpoint the different locations, research the variety of turtles mentioned and discuss what you can do to help protect this amazing species.

ISBN 978-1772782851, Pajama Press

Margriet Ruurs is a Canadian author of many books for children. She conducts author presentations and writing workshops at International Schools anywhere.

www.margrietruurs.com