11 Canadian young adult books to check out this fall
Love YA? Then watch for these Canadian reads hitting bookstore shelves in the second half of 2018.
Super by Jennifer Chen
What it's about: The era of "Supers" dawned in 1900 with the legendary Frances E. Shaw, as she and other children began developing supernatural powers during puberty and used their abilities to turn the world into a more peaceful place. Big things are expected of Frances' descendent Beata Bell, but — to her great disappointment — she seems to be utterly normal. Despite her insistence that she has nothing special to offer, the Supers drag Beata into a fight when a new villain arrives in town.
When you can read it: Super is out now.
Almost Invisible by Maureen Garvie
What it's about: Thirteen-year-old Jewel was shaken when her older sister Charmaine left home without telling anyone where she was going. The reason Charmaine fled becomes clear one night, when Jewel's father visits her in her bedroom. Jewel takes off and eventually ends up living in the cupboard of the art room at school. She's discovered by two classmates, Maya and Lily, who agree to help her hide, although they don't know why Jewel has left home or why she's terrified to tell any adults.
When you can read it: Almost Invisible is out now.
Monsters by David A. Robertson
What it's about: Monsters is the second book in David A. Robertson's supernatural Reckoner series. The books follow a teenager named Cole Harper, who has returned home to Wounded Sky First Nation after spending a decade away. In Monsters, Cole learns that a creature is stalking Blackwood Forest and the local health clinic is being kept on lockdown by a strange organization.
When you can read it: Sept. 1, 2018
Sadie by Courtney Summers
What it's about: Sadie lives in an isolated small town where she is raised and provided for by her older sister Mattie. When Mattie is found dead and the police botch the investigation, Sadie becomes determined to track down the killer herself. At a gas station, a travelling radio personality named West McCray hears about Sadie's story and starts a podcast about her investigation. The podcast in the book, The Girls, is available to listen to as a, well, podcast.
When you can read it: Sept. 4, 2018
Confessions of a Teenage Leper by Ashley Little
What it's about: High school cheerleader Abby Furlowe has her life mapped out. As soon as she's old enough, she'll rip out her small town roots and become a star. Her plans come crashing down when, after a series of misdiagnoses for a stubborn rash, Abby falls during a cheerleading stunt and slips into a coma. Doctors finally diagnose her with leprosy and, facing a long recovery process, Abby begins to reflect on her past behaviour.
When you can read it: Sept. 11, 2018
Deep Girls by Lori Weber
What it's about: This collection of stories feature young women who face a spectrum of challenges from their families and friends. One endures cruelty while caring for her ill elderly grandmother, another witnesses her sibling's violence against a parent, and more.
When you can read it: Sept. 15, 2018
Body Swap by Sylvia McNicoll
What it's about: Never-been-kissed 15-year-old Hallie is killed after being hit by an SUV driven by 82-year-old Susan. Hallie and Susan argue in the afterlife and eventually return to Earth, but have swapped bodies. Hallie must now adjust to her new wrinkled skin, achy joints and life in a long-term care facility. Susan, on the other hand, has acne and a crush on a ladies' man.
When you can read it: Sept. 15, 2018
Kens by Raziel Reid
What it's about: Ken Hilton rules Willows High alongside his two minions Ken Roberts and Ken Carson. The Kens are treated like Queens, while the decidedly uncool Tommy Rawlins languishes in obscurity. Tommy becomes obsessed with taking Ken Hilton down, and joins forces with a tall, dark and handsome new boy named Blaine. Raziel Reid is also the author of When Everything Feels like the Movies, which won the Governor General's Literary Award for children's literature — text and was on Canada Reads 2014.
When you can read it: Sept. 18, 2018
Black Beach by Glynis Guevara
What it's about: Tamera, 16, lives in La Cresta, a rural fishing community in the Caribbean. Though she has a strong support system in her father, older sister and best friend, Tamera struggles to cope with her mother's mental illness. Tamera faces additional strain when her boyfriend moves out of town for work, an environmental disaster destroys her hometown and a classmate suddenly goes missing.
When you can read it: Sept. 20, 2018
Lost Boy by Shelley Hrdlitschka
What it's about: Growing up in a polygamous community, Jon is forced to escape his town after he's caught kissing a girl. Though he meets up with other Lost Boys, or "polygs," Jon does not adjust well to life outside of Unity and ends up using drugs and booze to numb himself against the pain.
When you can read it: Oct. 2, 2018
Synchro Boy by Shannon McFerran
What it's about: Bart Lively is a 16-year-old competitive swimmer, but he's tired of the swim team's macho man culture. Fortunately, Bart discovers that he has a natural talent for synchronized swimming and dreams of going to the Olympics with his partner Erika Tenaka. But Bart's goals are derailed when Erika quits and things grow even more complicated when he realizes he has a crush both on her and a cute boy in the diving club.
When you can read it: Nov. 1, 2018