29 Canadian kids books & YA to look for in spring 2019
A new year means new books! Here's a guide to Canadian picture books, middle-grade books and YA books that are coming out in the first half of 2019.
The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
Class SCS-8 at Greenwich Middle School are known as the "unteachables" — an idiosyncratic crew of personalities that range from high strung to sleepy and lost in thought. Led by a checked out teacher, the students each take turn telling their stories and figuring out whether they really are unteachable. Gordon Korman is a bestselling writer of humorous novels for middle grade readers, whose books include Ungifted and Supergifted.
When you can read it: Jan. 1, 2019
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
Norris Kaplan, a wisecracking black French Canadian teenager, knows he's in for a major culture shock when his family moves to Austin, Texas. He keeps track of his fellow high schoolers by placing them in categories: Cheerleaders, Jocks, Loners and the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. When people from the categories try and befriend him, Norris learns a lesson about his snarky attitude. Ben Philippe, who now lives in New York, has contributed to publications like Vanity Fair, The Guardian and Playboy.
When you can read it: Jan. 8, 2019
The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan
Rukhsana Ali is 17 and balancing the expectations of her conservative Muslim parents with her desire to wear crop tops and date girls. When Rukhsana is caught kissing her girlfriend Ariana, she is sent to Bangladesh where she discovers her grandmother's old diary and is inspired to stand up for herself to her family. The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali is B.C. writer Sabina Khan's first novel.
When you can read it: Jan. 29, 2019
A Story About Cancer (With a Happy Ending) by India Desjardins, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer, translated by Solange Ouellet
As she heads down the hospital hallway to a room where a doctor will tell her how long she has to live, a teenage girl contemplates her life with cancer and reflects on all the things and people she loves. This picture book is for readers aged 9 to 15. India Desjardins is also the author of the series The Journal of Aurélie Laflamme, which sold over two million copies in French, and Marguerite's Christmas, which won the Bologna Ragazzi Fiction Prize. Marianne Ferrer is a freelance illustrator from Montreal, originally from Venezuela.
When you can read it: Jan. 31, 2019
The Girl and the Wolf by Katherena Vermette, illustrated by Julie Flett
In this picture book, a little girl gets lost in the woods while picking berries. A large grey wolf is able to tell where she is from by smelling her and helps her get home. In the meantime, the little girl realizes she had the skills to find her way back all along. Both Katherena Vermette and Julie Flett are Governor General's Literary Award-winning artists — Vermette for the poetry collection North End Love Songs and Flett for the children's book When We Were Alone.
When you can read it: Feb. 5, 2019
- Katherena Vermette on why quiet stories speak the loudest
- Illustrator Julie Flett brings light to a dark period of history
Bear for Breakfast by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Jay Odjick
Children's author Robert Munsch and illustrator Jay Odjick team up for a second picture book called Bear for Breakfast. In this tale, a boy named Donovan decides to catch a bear to eat for breakfast, just like his grandfather used to eat. When he goes hunting, Donovan discovers the bear might have other plans. The book is inspired by a visit with the Chippewan community in La Loche, Sask. in 1990, where Munsch met a boy named Donovan who said he loved to eat bear.
When you can read it: Feb. 11, 2019
Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks
Miriam's grandfather co-created the iconic superhero series TomorrowMen, but doesn't get a dime for his work because he sold the rights for a pittance to his co-creator. Now the family's struggling to stay afloat and the future looks grim for Miriam. Things get complicated when heir to the TomorrowMen fortune moves to town — and, worse, he happens to be pretty cute. Comics Will Break Your Heart is for YA readers and is Faith Erin Hicks' first novel. She is also the author of the popular Nameless City graphic novel series.
When you can read it: Feb. 12, 2019
Be My Love by Kit Pearson
Maisie has spent most of her summers frolicking on Kingfisher Island with her cousin Una. But this summer is different — Una has become "too mature" for Maisie and is obsessed with an older man named David Meyer. Be My Love is for readers aged 10 to 14. Kit Pearson is a beloved and prolific Canadian children's writer whose past work includes A Day of Signs and Wonders and Awake and Dreaming.
When you can read it: Feb. 12, 2019
The Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena
Teenagers Susan and Malcolm are opposites in many ways. She works hard to keep up with her parents' high expectations, while he's had a reputation for mischief since his mom died. They end up falling for each other — and finding more about themselves along the way. The Beauty of the Moment is Tanaz Bhathena's sophomore novel.
When you can read it: Feb. 26, 2019
Stand on the Sky by Erin Bow
In Aisulu's nomadic community, only men have traditionally learned to train eagles. But when her parents take her brother to a distant hospital, Aisulu secretly nurtures an orphaned baby eagle. Stand on the Sky, written for readers aged 9 to 12, is by Kitchener, Ont. writer Erin Bow who is also the author of Plain Kate and The Scorpion Rules.
When you can read it: Feb. 26, 2019
When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam, illustrated by Qin Leng
Maya is very excited that her grandma has come thousands of miles to visit her family. But she doesn't love how loudly her grandmother speaks or how her morning prayer bells wake her up. When I Found Grandma is a heartwarming tale about navigating differences that are both cultural and generational. This marks Saumiya Balasubramaniam's debut picture book. Qin Leng has illustrated several children's books including Sara O'Leary's A Family is A Family is A Family and her own book I Am Small.
When you can read it: March 1, 2019
Moon Wishes by Patricia Storms & Guy Storms, illustrated by Milan Pavlovic
A bedtime story by Patricia Storms and Guy Storms, Moon Wishes describes how a moon's glow can light a path, glisten on snow and give peace to the weary. Milan Pavlovic, an illustrator from Toronto, creates dreamy watercolour paintings for this picture book.
When you can read it: March 1, 2019
Circle by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
The final book in American Mac Barnett and Canadian Jon Klassen's shapes trilogy is all about Circle, who must save her friend Triangle when he breaks a rule. The bestselling pair are also the creators behind Square, Triangle, Sam & Dave Dig a Hole and The Wolf, The Duck & The Mouse.
When you can read it: March 5, 2019
Chicken Girl by Heather Smith
After being bullied online for dressing up as Rosie the Riveter, Poppy bitterly takes a job wearing a chicken suit at a fast food restaurant. While at work, Poppy meets a young girl that opens her eyes to the struggles of those around her. Heather T. Smith is a writer from Waterloo, Ont., who's previous novel-in-verse Ebb & Flow was a finalist for the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award for children's literature — text.
When you can read it: March 5, 2019
The Case of Windy Lake by Michael Hutchinson
Cousins Sam, Otter, Atim and Chickadee are known as the Mighty Muskrats of Windy Lake First Nation. When an archaeologist goes missing, they investigate his disappearance amidst increasingly heated environmental protests. The Case of Windy Lake, written for readers aged 9 to 12, is the first book by Michael Hutchinson, who is a member of Misipawistik Cree Nation and press secretary for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
When you can read it: March 18, 2019
Operatic by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
When her music class learns about opera, Charlie becomes obsessed with the life of Maria Callas. She looks to the ultimate diva for direction on how to cope with her feelings for her classmate Emile and her concerns for Luka, who hasn't showed up to school in weeks. Operatic is written for readers aged 10 to 14. Kyo Maclear is the author of many picture books, including Bloom and Virginia Wolf, as well as nonfiction books like Birds Art Life. Byron Eggenschwiler is a Calgary, Alta., illustrator who has contributed to publications like the New York Times, New Yorker and GQ.
When you can read it: April 1, 2019
The Center of the Universe by Ria Voros
Grace, an aspiring astrophysicist, isn't very close with her mother GG, a celebrity news anchor. When GG suddenly goes missing, Grace's family struggles to cope with her disappearance and deal with the media circus that has descended upon them. Ria Voros is a YA writer from Victoria, B.C.
When you can read it: April 2, 2019
A Cave in the Clouds by Badeeah Hassan Ahmed & Susan Elizabeth McClelland
In this memoir, Badeeah Hassan describes how she was captured and sold to a high-ranking ISIS commander at the age of 18. Hassan survived unimaginable horrors alongside her young nephew Eivan and friend Navine before escaping and reuniting with her family. She now studies nursing and language in Germany. She tells her story with the help of Toronto journalist Elizabeth McClelland.
When you can read it: April 9, 2019
My Cat Looks Like My Dad by Thao Lam
A narrator, whose surprising identity is revealed at the end of the picture book, describes the ways in which their cat and dad are similar: they both have orange hair, love to nap and are occasionally brave. Thao Lam is also the author of the picture book Wallpaper.
When you can read it: April 15, 2019
Mya's Strategy to Save the World by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
This book for middle-grade readers follows a girl named Mya, who runs her school's social justice club and dreams of working for the United Nations. Her more immediate dreams include owning a cell phone, which her parents have emphatically denied her. Lloyd Kyi's previous books include Prince of Pot and Eyes & Spies.
When you can read it: April 30, 2019
Ghosts by David A. Robertson
Ghosts is the third book in David A. Robertson's Reckoner series following an Indigenous teen named Cole Harper, who returns home after many years away. In Ghosts, Cole is dead and time is running out for Wounded Sky First Nation as Mihko Laboratories, which manufactured an illness that once afflicted the community, has reopened its research facilities.
When you can read it: May 1, 2019
Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
When Zayneb gets suspended for standing up to a xenophobic teacher, she's sent to her aunt's house in Doha, Qatar for an early spring break. She ends up meeting Adam, a teenager trying to hide his multiple sclerosis diagnosis from his grieving father. Love from A to Z, a YA novel, is S.K. Ali's second book, following Saints and Misfits.
When you can read it: May 7, 2019
Albert's Quiet Quest by Isabelle Arsenault
In this picture book, an introverted young boy named Albert dreams of finding a quiet sunset beach to read on. Instead, he's surrounded by the loud and raucous kids in his Mile End neighbourhood in Montreal. Isabelle Arsenault is a three time winner of the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — illustration. Her books include Colette's Lost Pet and Louis Undercover, which was written by Fanny Britt.
When you can read it: May 7, 2019
Those Who Dwell Below by Aviaq Johnston, illustrated by Toma Feizo Gas
After being trapped in a spirit world, a young shaman named Pitu returns to his life in the Arctic. When Pitu gets wind of a nearby community that is starving, he realizes he must travel to the depths of the ocean to meet with the sea goddess Nuliajuk. Those Who Dwell Below, written for readers 12 and up, is a sequel to Aviaq Johnston's debut novel, Those Who Run in the Sky, which was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — text.
When you can read it: May 7, 2019
We Contain Multitudes by Sarah Henstra
An letter-writing assignment brings together high schoolers Kurl — an ex-football player known for fighting and for being held back a year — and Jo — a gay, nerdy teenager who loves poetry. As their fledgling, unexpected friendship grows, Jo and Kurl face homophobia and bullying from their peers and families. We Contain Multitudes is Sarah Henstra's second YA novel. She recently won the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction for the book The Red Word.
When you can read it: May 14, 2019
The Worst Book Ever by Elise Gravel
The characters in Elise Gravel's book The Worst Book Ever positively hate the journey she's taking them on. Sick of the boring adventure and tired character tropes, they decide to take matters into their own hands. Montreal artist Elise Gravel is the author of many popular comics for kids, including I Want a Monster! and The Mushroom Fan Club.
When you can read it: May 28, 2019
Lunch Quest by Chris Kuzma
In Lunch Quest, a hungry rabbit goes searching for lettuce and instead finds a universe of skater kids in his lettuce cubby. Zany adventures await the characters of this bright and colourful comic book. Chris Kuzma is a freelance illustrator based in Toronto. Lunch Quest is his first all-ages graphic novel.
When you can read it: June 21, 2019
The Owl and the Two Rabbits by Nadia Sammurtok, illustrated by Marcus Cutler
In this traditional Inuit story, two rabbit sisters play on the open tundra in spite of their parents' warnings. When a hungry owl finds the sisters, a wild chase ensues and the rabbits must use their guile to escape. Nadia Sammurtok is an Inuit writer and educator now based in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Marcus Cutler is a children's illustrator from Ontario.
When you can read it: June 25, 2019
Boonoonoonous Hair! by Olive Senior, illustrated by Laura James
In this charming picture book for young readers, a girl learns to embrace her wild, hard-to-manage curly hair. Olive Senior is an award-winning writer, whose books include the short story collection The Pain Tree and the picture book Anna Carries Water, which is also illustrated by New York artist Laura James.
When you can read it: June 30, 2019