Canadian author Anna Humphrey first came across my radar when I read (and loved) her funny, charming, Sarah Dessen-esque YA novel Rhymes With Cupid. Anna is now the author of four books for YA and middle grade readers and despite the range in age, the one thing they all have in common is Anna's deft, light… Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Q&A with Anna Humphrey
Tag: Canadian
Middle Grade Monday: MiNRs
Kevin Sylvester can do no wrong- illustrator, writer, podcaster, frequent host of Kid's Lit Quiz - he is an all-around children's literature champion, particularly in Canada. I'm always delighted by the twists his career takes, which may be unexpected but are always genuine, kid-friendly and fun. Christopher is proud to be part of a mining… Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: MiNRs
Middle Grade Monday: The Enchanted Egg
I tend to recommend middle grade that falls in the 11-13 range, or "upper middle grade." It's a bit more issue-driven and appropriate for kids with a certain emotional maturity. For a great discussion of what this age group encompasses, check out the re-cap of the Middle School is Hell panel featuring Mariko Tamaki, Kate… Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: The Enchanted Egg
Middle Grade Monday: Something Wiki
Middle grade fiction isn't always gentle or fantastical. Sometimes it can be downright moody, icky, and gross. Thank goodness. Puberty is rarely gentle or magical, so why should fiction tackling the subject be?In Something Wiki, we get a peek inside the mind and body of tween Jo Waller. Each chapter opens with a wikipedia entry that… Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Something Wiki
Feeling Halloweenish: 4 Spooky Books
It's my favourite time of year! Pumpkins, black cats everywhere, clever costumes, and amazing ghost stories. What's not to love about Halloween? Here is a round-up of some spooky, atmospheric and down-right terrifying books perfect for those of us who wait all year for October: The Swallow by Charis Cotter If you've read Summer Days,… Continue reading Feeling Halloweenish: 4 Spooky Books
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Friday Society Review
I was in desperate need for something fun and fresh, and this cheeky YA novel from Canadian Adrienne Kress fit the bill. You know I love a good girl power (ugh how I wish I could find a cooler term) novel. Case in point, my love of Kiki Strike, The Red Blazer Girls, and The… Continue reading Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Friday Society Review
Kit Pearson delivers the Whole Package (Again): The Whole Truth
Kit Pearson is a national treasure. Decades of children have grown up feasting on her novels, holding her characters and delicate life lessons close to their hearts. As an experiment, drop the word Gairloch* into a conversation with women under the age of 35 and see how many of them start gushing about Kit Pearson**. So… Continue reading Kit Pearson delivers the Whole Package (Again): The Whole Truth
Hip Hip Hooray! Forest of Reading Winners
The Forest of Reading winners were announced this afternoon, and what a line-up! Check out the winners here. For those of you who are unfamiliar with these awards, they are administered by the Ontario Library Association and voted on by thousands of Ontario school children. Similar "tree awards" exist in other provinces; they are the… Continue reading Hip Hip Hooray! Forest of Reading Winners
Far From the Last Word: Word Nerd
Word Nerd is out in paperback this week, which is cause for celebration! If you missed out on this when it was in hard cover, now is you chance to see what all the hype is about. This book has been much lauded, and rightfully so; it's tightly written, funny, poignant (but not… Continue reading Far From the Last Word: Word Nerd
Vikki VanSickle 