Back-to-School Reading List 2024
As Seen on CTV Your Morning
There’s a nip in the air, which means it’s time for apples, a light jacket, and back-to-school books! Here are 8 Canadian titles to help ease the transition from summer to school. Watch the segment at the 1.10.46 point here, or read on to see the list!
Picture Books
The first three titles all take place in or adjacent to a school environment. See You Later, Alligator! is a gentle book for young kids about separation anxiety and a reminder that sometimes courage can come in the form of an extra hug or encouragement. The Weedflower chronicles how a stark, urban schoolyard (and its students) can be transformed by a single act of nature. In Khadija and the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment a young girl notices that none of the scientists at the science fair are wearing a hijab and she wonders about her place in the world of science. This book is a celebration of science and explores the impact of inclusion and familial support.
Gifts from the Garbage Truck is a thought-provoking picture book based on the true story of Treasures of the Trash, a museum featuring hundred of thousands of objects rescued and restored from the garbage, created over 34 years by a NYC sanitation worker. This book is an example of up-cycling in action and the embodiment of the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra we so often repeat, complete with back matter, photos of the museum, and tips on how to reuse everyday objects that kids will find inspiring.
The Museum of Very Bad Smells is a blend of who-dun-it and vintage scratch-n-sniff books, with a gross twist. There’s been a robbery at the Museum of Very Bad Smells and readers are invited to scratch and sniff their way through a series of increasingly gross smells to the resolution. This is a capital S silly read, perfect for kids who love a little bit of gross-out humour.
Chapter Books (Ages 6-10)
Still thinking about The Olympics? Young swim fans will find lots to love in the new series Julia on the Go. Nine year old Julia Nam’s life revolves around the community centre. When she’s not in the pool, she can be found at the sushi cafe, run by her parents. In the first title, Swimming into Trouble, an ear infection threatens to keep the ambitious Julia out of the water. Crystal Cave is the 5th book in the Sueno Bay Adventure books, a graphic novel series featuring a group of friends living on a supernatural island. In this particular adventure, the friends seek out a magical crystal with healing properties to help Ollie’s sick grandfather.
Middle Grade (Ages 10-14)
The first day of school is hard enough as it is, but it’s even more dramatic when you’re the new kid in an entirely new country. In The New Girl, Lia arrives in Montreal from Romania, not at all pleased by this massive change. This graphic novel chronicles the ups and downs of middle school—including period troubles, new friends, crushes—with heart and a lot of humour.