The Latest Creations

A national monthly list of newly released works by our membership.
Assembled by President Gillian Chan. Members may submit their work to the list via the New Creations form.

February 2007

Out and about with the Big Tree Gang by Jo Ellen and Jill Bogart.Orca Books; $6.95; 10: 1-55143-603-5 (soft cover). Presenting five more adventures from new writing team Bogart and Bogart. Twin skunks Keeley and Reg are back, this time for cold weather fun with their best friends, Shawna and Burt. Watch them race down snowy slopes, search for treasures, and build snow dragons. See Reg get careless with his proudest possession. See Keely brag about her acting skills and then suffer from stage fright. Who will help them out in their time of need?

Excerpt- A small brown figure in brown crept onto the stage behind Mother Nature. "It's all right, Keely," said Burt."You will be fine. You will be wonderful. Say 'Plant a seed.'"
In a very soft voice Keely said, "Plant a seed.."

The Jumbo Book of Space by Paulette Bourgeois and Cynthia Pratt Nicholson, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Kids Can Press; $18.95; 13:978-155453-020-5 (hard cover).A compilation of the Staring with Space series into a single, jumbo book soft cover. Over 200 pages of informaton about the Earth, Moon and Sun, planets and meteorites, space exploration and more.

The Ruby Kingdom by Patricia Bow. Dundurn Books; $12.99: 9781550026672 (soft cover). In Patricia Bow's new book twelve-year-old Amelia Hammer craves excitement. She resents being dumped in tiny, boring Dunstone, Ontario to stay with her grandmother and solemn cousin Simon while her engineer parents fly off to work in South America. But life in Dunstone turns exciting-even dangerous-after the arrival of a flamboyant stranger named Mara, and the sinister-looking man who is hunting her-neither of whom, as it develops, are human. When the children take Mara's side in this war for an alien world, Amelia gets to spread her wings-literally-and Simon finds out how far he will go to save his friend.

A Fine Day at the Lake by Kaarina Brooks. Scholastic Canada; $6.00; 0-7791-6081-9 (soft cover). This book is part of the Grade 3 Guided Reading Series.

Where Trouble Leads by Brenda Chapman. Napoleon Publishing; $9.95; 978-1894917445 (soft cover). In Brenda Chapman's new book fifteen-year-old Jennifer Bannon agrees to spend her summer as a camp counselor at White Pine Camp with her best friend and her younger sister. But Jennifer's summer in the isolated wilderness on Georgian Bay turns into a roller coaster ride of suspense and danger. Not all is as it appears and Jennifer is quickly entangled in camp mysteries and the deep secrets of girls assigned to her cabin. As the summer heats up, suspense reaches a boiling point, and Jennifer must race to solve the mysteries of White Pine before tragedy rocks the camp.

The Knot Fairy by Bobbie Hinman, illustrated by Kristi Bridgeman. Bestfairybooks; $19.95; 978-0-9786791-0-1 (hard cover). "The Knot Fairy" ~ Illustrated by member Kristi Bridgema, this story follows a tiny fairy who visits children as they sleep and is responsible for the knots and tangles in their hair. For Ages 3 to 7 - includes read-along with music CD. Currently distributed to Canada through Baker & Taylor.

In Arctic Waters by Ben Hodson, illustrated by Laura Crawford. Sylvan Dell Publishing;; $19.95; 978-0-9768823-4-3 (hard cover). In Arctic Waters is an arctic adaptation of "This is the House that Jack Built." The story follows polar bears, walruses, seals, narwals and beluga whales as they chase each other around "the ice that floats in the Arctic Waters." The "For Creative Minds" section in the back of the book helps children learn how these animals live in the cold, icy arctic region.

Mystic Tide by Angela Dorsey, illustrated by Jennifer. Stabenfeldt, Inc.; 1-933343-44-3 (soft cover). Mystic Tide, the ninth in Angela Dorsey's Horse Guardian series, is being released in both Canada and the USA through the Pony bookclub. The book is also scheduled for release in a number of European and Eastern European countries in August 2007. While out horseback riding, Erin is nabbed by kidnappers. Eventually, with the help of a strange girl, she gets away, but then realizes that her kidnappers will escape unless she can gather the courage to confront them.

Factory Girl by Barbara Greenwood. Kids Can Press; $22.95 hc; $16.95 pb; 978-1-55337-648-4 (hard cover), 978-1-55337-649-1 (soft cover). Award winning author, Barbara Greenwood returns with a new book focussing on child labour in the early part of the twentieth century.In 1912 Toronto, family circumstances force Emily to leave school early to work in a factory. Child labour and the plight of immigrants is discussed through an interweaving of fiction and fact.

How it Happened in Peach Hill by Marthe Jocelyn. Tundra Books: $22.95; 13: 978-0-88776-773-9 (hard cover). Called "colourful and engrossing" by Kirkus Review, Marthe Jocelyn's new novel is is the story of a mother-daughter team of fraudulent clairvoyants during the 1920's craze for spiritualism.

The Whirlwind by Carol Matas. Orca Books; $9.95; 981551437033 ( hard cover).In Carol Matas' new book, it is 1941. Fourteen year old Ben Friedman flees the horrors of Nazi Germany. In Seattle Ben dares to hope he will finally be safe, but then comes the attack on Pearl Harbour and everything changes. Fear begins to grow that it is all happening again, and he has nowhere to hide , nowhere to run.Perhaps safety is not where or even what he thinks it is.

Silverwing: 10th Anniversary Edition by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by David Frankland. Harper Collins Canada; $19.99; 978-0002006552 (hard cover). A handsome tenth anniversary hardcover edition of Silverwing, with 24 b&w illustrations by David Frankland, a foreward by the author, and a new interactive website.

The Book of Vampire by David A. Poulson. Key Porter Books; $9.95; 1-55263-805-7 (soft cover). More than a year after The Vampire's Visit, it seems as if the vampire gang war is still raging. When the "good guys" discover that a sacred book has been stolen, they appeal to Salt and Pepper (and even Hal) to help them get it back. Easier said than done---especially since the book is now in the possession of Salt and Pepper's old enemies from London. Even worse, the bad guys have hidden the book in a place that no vampire would dare to go---the land of the midnight sun: Alaska! Salt and Pepper are on their own, and it's going to take a cruise ship, a freak summer storm, a team of dedicated sled dogs and a whole lot of luck to help the dynamic duo solve this mystery!

No Time Like the Past by David A. Poulson. Key Porter Books; $9.95; 1-55263-807-3 (soft cover). Salt and Pepper's first-place finish in the National Archeologists' Association essay competition earns the dynamic duo an awesome prize---a month-long trip to an archeological dig in New Mexico, the site of an ancient Anasazi cliff dwelling. But before the teen detectives even leave home (with Salt's mega-annoying little brother, Hal, in tow), they learn that one of the archeologists has mysteriously disappeared. And when they finally arrive on the scene, a strange-looking man seems to be following them. It's another mysterious adventure for Salt and Pepper, with a time-travel twist that's sure to have readers on the edge of their seats.

4 KIDS IN 5E & 1 CRAZY YEAR by Virginia Frances Schwartz. Holiday House; $16.95; 13: 978-0-8234-1946-3 (hard cover). Told in four voices, this heartfelt story chronicles the ups and downs of a unique group of city kids as they learn to write in a fifth grade classroom. Booklist calls it "an inspiration for writing teachers". The pb edition of this book will be published by Scholastic Canada in Fall 2007. The author was a Writing Process Staff Developer in a Magnet School of Writing and Publishing in NYC for 22 years and currently teaches writing at UCLA.

The Sabre-toothed Tiger by Evan Soloman, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Puffin Canada; $16.95; 13: 978-0-670-06387-1 (hard cover). Nathaniel McDaniel continues his time travel adventures in prehistoric times, as he tracks down Little Wooly Ed in order to return to him his missing pelt. Encounters with Neanderthals, giants and the dreaded sabre-toothed tiger stand between Nate and the successful completion of his task!

Beware, Pirates! by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Dean Griffiths.Maple Tree Press; $6.95, $16.95; 13:978-18977066-80-5 (hard cover), 13: 978-1- 897066-79-9 (hard cover). It's Emily and Matt's very first trip into the past. Join them as they meet fearsome pirates face to face and journey high in to the Far North. Adventure awaits.

December 2006

Alphabetter by Dan Bar-el, illustrated by Graham Ross. Orca Books; $19.95; 1-55143-439-3 (hard cover). Twenty-six kids find out what happens when the alphabet refuses to cooperate. In the end, the solution turns out to be right on the next page, if only they can find it ...

All the Way Home by Natale Ghent. HarperCollins; $14.99; 10-0-00-200752-5 (soft cover). Natale's new book is the sequel to No Small Thing. Picking up almost immediately where No Small Thing left off, All The Way Home follows the story of three siblings, Nat, Queenie and Cid, and their beloved pony, Smokey. The house has been sold and the children are nervous about moving into an apartment. But selling the house means they will be able to keep Smokey. When their mom gets sick, Nat is forced to set off into the world to find his father and bring him back home. His journey is full of adventure, peril and healing. Fans of No Small Thing will be eager to learn what happens with these three young heroes.

Flying Acrobats by Gisela Woldenga, illustrated by Celia Godkin. Scholastic Canada; $42 for teacher's kit with 6 books; 9-780779-16274-1. Learn about hummingbirds through the friendship of a boy with his neighbour, who grows flowers especially to attract them.

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt. Front Street Books. Published in the USA Keturah and Lord Death was nominated for the prestigious American National Book Award.

Steven Writes a Story by Myrna Neuringer Levy, illustrated by Jackie Snider. Scholastic Canada: $65, for package of 6. Myrna Neuringer Levy has created the following story which is part of the Grade Three Literacy Place for the Early Years, Guided Reading Program. A lighthearted look at the writing process told through emails between Steven and his grandmother.

Feeding at Nine by R.P. MacIntyre. Thistledown Press; $17.95; 10 1 897235 15 1 (hard cover). Short fiction: revealing snapshots of life at the crossroads of adulthood -- what we give and what we gain, and what we must become. A fresh take on the charm and brutality of growing up.

Animals on Parade - Favourite Rhymes from Chirp Magazine, contributors include Gwen Molnar, Sheree Fitch and Deb Loughead. Owlkids Publishing; $19.95; 2-89579-119-8 (hard cover). Gwen Molnar's poem is called Going Up.

Creatures Great and Small written and illustrated by Karen Patkau. Tundra Books; $22.99; 978-0-88776-754-8 (hard cover). Karen Patkau's new book explores the wide world of insects, fish, mammals, sea jellies, reptiles, amphibians, birds, crustaceans, arachnids, and mollusks. From "Really Big" creatures - such as the Blue Whale, Giant Squid, and Anaconda - to the "Really Small" - such as the Dwarf Goby, Bumblebee Bat, and Feather-Winged.

Jimi Hendrix: Kiss the Sky by Edward Willett. Enslow Books; $36.20; 0-7660-2449-0 (hard cover). A biography of the great '60s guitarist, part of Enslow's "American Rebels" series.

Trapped in Gallipoli by Barbara Winter (Wood), illustrated by Scott Page. Scholastic Canada and Rubicon Publishing Inc; $14.95; 1-89709-677-1 (soft cover). Part of the Timeline Series of graphic novels.

The Golden Scarab by Barbara Winter (Wood), illustrated by Jason Loo. Scholastic Canada and Rubicon Publishing Inc; $14.95; 1-89709-668-2 (soft cover). Part of the Timeline Series of graphic novels.

Fight for Rights by Barbara Winter (Wood), illustrated by Dimitri Kostic. Scholastic Canada and Rubicon Publishing Inc; $14.95; 1-897096-81-X (soft cover). Part of the Timeline Series of graphic novels.

November 2006

Ice Cream Town by Rona Arato. FitzHenry & Whiteside; $13.95; 1-55041-591-3 (soft cover). Sammy has learned to live by his wits on the voyage from Poland to the Jewish immigrant community that is to be his new home in New York City. It is here he discovers that the vibrant, noisy streets of New York are alive with challenge - even more of a challenge than his new school. Will it be Sammy's wits, or his beautiful singing voice that will keep him out of trouble in the games of stickball in the rough-and-tumble streets? Sammy must stand up for himself in the midst of peer pressure from a local gang, prejudice against new immigrants, and his own desire to be accepted for who he is.

Illustrated Guide to Snowmobile Racing by Linda Aksomitis, illustrated by David Aksomitis. Iconografix Inc ; $29.95 U.S.; 1-58388-170-0 (soft cover). Comments: To the tops of mountains, over water, sand and grass, and of course on snow and ice, snowmobile racers have traversed the toughest terrain to push their sleds to maximum speeds. Competing since the second sled was built, vintage cross country, drag, and ice oval racing have paved the way for today's extreme competition racing at events such as the X-Games Snocross.

Book contains 100 color and 100 black and white photos. It has basic rules of all different forms of snowmobile racing, along with safety and machine rules.

Titanic: The Canadian Connection by Lanny Boutin. Altitude Publishing Canada Ltd.; $9.95; 1-155439-126-1 (soft cover). Lanny Boutin has written heartwarming collection of stories telling the intimate connection that Canada has with one of the most resounding tragedies of the twentieth century.

June Callwood: A Life of Action by Anne Dublin. Second Story Press; $12.95; 1-89718-714-9 (soft cover).This biography is the first ever for young readers (age 10 and up) about the inspiring life of June Callwood, one of Canada's greatest writers and social activists. Anne Dublin traces the challenges of poverty that June faced during the Depression, her career as a journalist, the growth of her family, and the establishment of shelters for homeless people, teen parents, abused women, and people with HIV/AIDS. This book is a must for Canadian libraries and classrooms. Curriculum links to civics, social studies, Canadian history, and philosophy are supplemented by a teacher's guide available on the website.

Odd Man Outby Sarah Ellis. Groundwood Books; $18.95; 13-978-88899-702-9 (hard cover). In Sarah Ellis' new book Kip spends a summer with his grandmother and five eccentric girl cousins, including Emily, who thinks she's a dog. Gran's house is about to be demolished, so anything goes, whether it's drawing maps on the wall or sawing off the banister for a smoother ride. When Kip bashes through an old closet, he discovers the binder his late father kept as a teenager. Fiction or diary? Who was this man?

Glaciers: Landscape Carvers by Lily Erlic, Leonardo Meschini-diagram illustrator. Heinemann Education, a division of Reed Publishing (NZ) Limited, distributed by Thomas Nelson; $12.60 (NZD); 1-86970-381-2 (soft cover). Glaciers: Landscape Carvers is an 'informational explanation' book from Heinemann Primary. The book explains how glaciers are formed, types of glaciers, how they move and retreat, how glaciers change the landscape, who studies glaciers? and glaciers and ice ages. The book is geared towards grade 4-6. An excerpt: "When a glacier moves, advances or retreats, it leaves marks on the landscape. By studying the marks or features made by the glacier, glaciologists can learn about climate changes in the past." Teachers or parents may order the book at this website. This book is a resource for the classroom or a book used in research for children's reports. Lily is planning a Glaciers presentation for schools in the near future. Lily recently received her copies in the mail. The design has a snowflake sheen on the front and back cover!

When-I-was-a-little-girl by Rachna Gilmore, illustrated by Renné Benoit. Second Story Press; $14.95; 1-89718-712-2 (hard cover). Rachna Gilmore's latest book tells the story of Lisabeth whose mother constantly tells her about the perfect child she used to be. But one awful day, when there is liver and onions and no dessert for dinner, When-I-was-a-little-girl actually appears. She's "all neat and tidy, with that I'm-so-perfect smile on her face." Not only that, but she loves liver and onions.... How will Lisabeth manage to get rid of this obnoxious visitor? A re-issue, with new illustrations, of Gilmore's book published in 1989.

Rites of the healer by Anne Gray. Sumach Press; $12.95; 1-89454-959-2 (soft cover). young adult fantasy set in a post-technological village where some of the technology appears to be failing. The main character must make a dangerous journey to try to repair the equipment, but in order to do so she must forego her only oppertunity to go through the Rites of the Healer.

Dream Racer by Jacqueline Guest. James Lorimer and Company; $6.95; 1-55028-942-x (soft cover). Jacqueline Guest has written a sequel to Racing Fear, in which Zoë's caught the racing bug. She thinks she might even have the stuff to become a race car engineer one day. But Zoë's mother has another dream for her daughter, and it's called "Zoë Kendall, M.D." What does this mean for Adam, her rally co-driver and boyfriend? Will Zoë follow her own dream, even if it means hurting the ones she loves?

Secret Signs by Jacqueline Guest. Orca Books; $7.95; 1-55143-599-3 (soft cover). When 12-year-old Henry Dafoe runs away from his farm near Winnipeg to find his father, he has no idea he will end up riding the rails across the prairies with a hobo named Clickety Clack and discovering what The Depression is all about. Using the underground code of hobo symbols found scrawled on gateposts and fences, the two must overcome dust storms, grasshopper plagues and angry railway police as they journey to the Glenmore Dam Relief Project in Calgary. Their success will depend on help from friendly tramps, soup kitchens, stolen food and most of all, the hobo's Secret Signs.

Ti-Pinge (Ouvrage Bilingue) by Karen Hibbard, illustrated by Joujou Turenne. Les éditions Planete Rebelle; $22.95; 2-922528-64-2 (soft cover).

Haley and Bix: Best Friends No Matter What by Scott Higgs. Scholastic; 0-43994-725-1 (hard cover), 0-43994-750-2 (soft cvoer). Meet Haley and Bix, best friends who couldn't be more different. When Bix's family moves to Italy, the two will try anything to stay together.

Carl, the Christmas Carp by Ian Kyrkorka, illustrated by Vladyana Kyrkorka. Orca Books; $19.95; 1-55143-329-X (hard cover). In Carl the Christmas Carp, Ian Krykorka writes a story drawn from his mother's childhood and from life in present-day Prague. In the vibrant illustrations, award-winning illustrator Vladyana Kyrkorka lovingly recreates the city of her birth and her youth down to the last glorious detail.

The Lundys of Whitchurch as the Whiteoaks of Jalna by Heather Kirk, Essays on Canadian Writing 87-88 (Spring 2006); $9.00; (ISSN) 0313 0300. This is a scholarly article about famous Canadian author, Mazo de la Roche, and the origins of her series of novels about the Whiteoak family that lives in a southern Ontario mansion called Jalna for a century from 1854 to 1954. (Note: academic journals can be slow. Although the article is officially being published in the spring issue, the issue may not actually be available for reading until the fall!) While researching a biography of Mazo de la Roche for young people, Heather found so much new information about de la Roche that she wrote two academic articles and a monograph on the subject. The biography, titled Mazo de la Roche: Rich and Famous Writer, is due out this fall from XYZ Publishing. XYZ will also be reissuing the first two books in the Jalna series, Jalna and Whiteoaks of Jalna. The former was first published in 1927; the latter in 1929. De la Roche's Jalna series sold in the millions around the world. Indeed, they represented Canada to the world for a generation.

Mazo de la Roche: Rich and Famous Writer by Heather Kirk. XYZ Publishing; $17.95;1-89485-220-6 (soft cover). This is the sixth biography of Mazo de la Roche, yet it contains much new information. De la Roche (1879-1961)was one of Canada's most successful authors. Her series of 16 novels about the Whiteoak family living on an estate called Jalna somewhere in southern Ontario sold in the millions around the world. The novels were also made into a Hollywood movie and a Broadway play. They made de la Roche a wealthy woman. To the end of her life, however, de la Roche remained nervous, shy, and reclusive--a private woman difficult to know well.

Finding Cassidy by Laura Langston. HarperCollins Canada; $15.99; 0-00639-581-3 (soft cover). By her own admission, sixteen-year-old Cassidy MacLaughlin lives a privileged life. Her concerns are simple: holding on to her boyfriend and maintaining a rigorous shopping schedule.Then, Cassidy's father is diagnosed with the fatal and genetic Huntington's Chorea. That's when Cassidy learns she was conceived as a result of artificial insemination. She won't inherit Huntington's because she is not her father's daughter. So who is she? Who is her real father? And will Cassidy ever find him?

Carew by J. C. Mills. Key Porter Books; $11.95; 1-55263-788-3 (soft cover). J. C. Mill's latest book tells of what happens when an exotic creature is captured in the clouded foothills of the Himalayas - a mysterious region known as the "abode of the gods" - the event unleashes a force far more powerful than anyone could have imagined. The task of reversing what has begun to unfold falls to Lucy, niece of the expedition leader, and Evan, a photographer's son and reluctant traveller. Propelled into a mystical world, where the habits of contemporary man clash with sacred, time-honoured traditions, Lucy and Evan must come to terms with some important questions. Are we truly meant to understand everything about the world around us, or are some things best left undiscovered?

Max Finder Mystery Collected Casebook Vol. 1 by Liam O'Donnell, illustrated by Michael Cho. Owlkids: $11.95; 2-89579-116-3 (soft cover). Crack the case with a collection of graphic mystery stories starring popular amateur detectives Max Finder and Alison Santos. Featuring 10 solve-it-yourself stories originally published in OWL Magazine, as well as new puzzles and illustrated character profiles. The vibrant comic illustrations and witty dialogue will have readers on the edge of their seats. Librarians and teachers will be excited to have quality full-colour comic content that will keep pre-teens reading for hours.

Mickey, Taggy, Puppo and Cica Discover Toronto (English) and Mickey, Taggy, Puppo and Cica Discover Toronto (English and Chinese) by Kati Rekai. $12 and $16; 1-896991-25-4 and 1-896991-24-6.Mickey, Taggy, Puppo and Cica Discover Toronto" was the first volume written in the "Mickey, Taggy, Puppo and Cica" series of travel books for children. These books introduce Canadian and foreign cities and countries to children through the adventures of three dogs and a cat. They educate children and adults alike about history, geography, music, architecture etc..by osmosis and are regularly updated. Many of the 20 titles in the series have been translated into other languages such as French, Chinese etc..but only two have appeared in two languages in the same volume; Budapest in English and Hungarian and now Toronto in English and Chinese. Following the great success of "Mickey, Taggy, Puppo and Cica Discover Budapest" in English and Hungarian, the new English/Chinese volume on Toronto will encourage Chinese visitors and citizens to enhance their English while discovering Toronto, as well as help English-speaking Torontonians brush up on their Mandarin while exploring the city.

Secret of the Dance by Andrea Spaulding and Alfred Scow, illustrated by Darlene Gait. Orca Books; $19.95; 1-55143-396-6 (hard cover). A fictional picturebook based on a real incident in the life of Kwakwa'ka'wakw elder Alfred Scow. A small boy sneaks into a forbidden potlatch and sees his father dance for the first and last time. Beautifully illustrated by Darlene Gait using the traditional masks once confiscated from Alfred's family

Behind the Socerer's Cloak by Andrea Spaulding. Orca Books; $9.95; 1-55143-627-2 (soft cover). In the fourth and final book of the Summer of Magic Quartet, the Dark Being is poised to conquer Earth. She takes Adam hostage, and the other three children struggle to rebalance the light and dark. The surprise ending, on a magical island, finds the children facing the Moddy Dhoo, the dreaded Black Dog.

Where Soldiers Lie by John Wilson. Key Porter Books; $15.95; 1-55263-790-5 (hard cover). A thrilling tale of mutiny and rebellion set in India in 1857.

Listen Said the Donkey by Jean Little, illustrated by Werner Zimmermann. Scholastic Canada; $19.99; 0-43995-782-6 (hard cover). What's to say? 5 tales that come together into one story, pretty pictures and lots of paint. Combine donkey, cat, camel, lamb and dog, add stable and baby; stir in a bit of Christmas and you've got the new book. Thanks Jean.

October 2006

The Forty Coats Man by Andrea Torrey Balsara, illustrated by Rob Kiely. Heinemann Educational; 1-86970-375-8 (soft cover). Written for the educational market, The Forty Coats Man is a mystery for middle grade readers set in the English countryside.

The Gift by Andrea Torrey Balsara, illustrated by Serena Kearns. Heinemann Educational; 1-86970-368-5 (soft cover). For the educational market, The Gift is the story of a young girl battling grief over her mother's death and estrangement from her father. A "gift" comes to them which causes daughter and father to realize how much they need and love one another.

Like a Pro! 101 Simple Ways to Do Really important Stuff by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Claudia Davila. Maple Tree Press; $12.95; 1-897066-54-6 (soft cover). This perfectly portable handbook for kids will make them experts in all manner of thingsófrom how to do basic first aid and be a responsible babysitter to learning a secret language and getting rid of hiccups, and everything in between. What kid wouldn't want to know how to deal with bullies, throw an awesome party, keep a secret, and be a good friend?

Secret Agent Y.O.U. The Official Guide to Secret Codes, Disguises, Surveillance, and MORE! by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dave Whamond. Maple Tree Press ; $12.95; 1-897066-69-4 (soft cover). A playful training manual for aspiring spies, cryptologists, and surveillance experts. Learn how to conduct espionage, write in code, dodge counterspies, and create disguises so artful they even fool the dog.

Swift Current by Angela Dorsey, illustrated by Jennifer Bell. Stabenfeldt, Norway: 82-591-1170-5 (hard cover). This July, Swift Current, the fourth novel in the Angela Dorsey's Horse Angel series, will be released in Canada. The book has already been published in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the USA, and will soon be released in Hungary and the Czech Republic as well.

KIDNAPPED #2: "The Search" by Gordon Korman. Scholastic Canada; $6.99; 0-439-84778-8 (soft cover). The second book in the KIDNAPPED trilogy, which is a follow-up to the series ON THE RUN.

The Summer King by OR Melling. Harry N. Abrams Inc. NY; $16.99 US & £9.95 UK; 0-8109-5969-0 (hard cover). A completely revised and extended edition, double the size of the original published by Penguin Canada in 1999. Available in the US, UK, Eire, Australia, and New Zealand. (And hopefully Canada in the near future!)

Ready to Run by Beverley Scudamore, illustrated by Greg Ruhl. James Lorimer & Co. Ltd.; $8.95; 1-55028-914-4 (soft cover). When wise-cracking Remy O'Sullivan takes up running, she thinks she's training to race. But when Remy realizes her friend's internet chat-room pal isn't all he seems to be, her running skills are put to the real test. Ready to Run is a fast-paced tale of personal growth set against the dark side of cyberspace. Ages 8-13.

Jerry Silverberg is showing his fine art prints September 1st - October 31 at Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St.West, near Bloor,open 12 till late. For info - 416 469 2878

June 2006

The Farm Team by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Kids Can Press; $18.95; 978-1-55337-850-1 (hard cover). The Farm Team is up against the nastiest, smelliest, mangiest, snarlingnest bunch of varmints you've ever seen as they battle it out on ice with the Bush League Bandits for the Stolski Cup.

Crazy for Puppies by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Mark Rayloft. Scholastic Canada: $6.99; 0-43994-915-7.Crazy for Puppies has adorable full colour portraits and interesting facts about Canada's 14 most popular breeds of dog, as well as the very smart Border Collie and the very tiny Chihuahua. Young readers will love them all. Five pages at the end of the book offer information such as where dogs came from, dogs with jobs, and stages of puppy development.

Mummies: All Wrapped Up by Lanny Boutin. Reed Publishing. Lanny's second children's book Mummies: All Wrapped up is now heading to Canada, by boat, from its New Zealand publisher, Reed Publishing. Mummies, which explains the history and mechanics of Mummy making, is illustrated with full color photos. Lanny's third book Titanic: The Canadian Connection is due out in the fall.

Crazy About Canada by Vivien Bowers, illustrated by Diame Eastman. Maple Tree Press; $19.95; 1-897066-47-3 (hard cover). Subtitled "Amazing Things Kids Want to Know", this book tracks down answers to questions submitted by real kids living across Canada, from Fogo to Tofino. Produced in partnership with Canadian Geographic.

The Unwritten Girl by James Bow. The Dundurn Group; $12.99; 1-55002-604-6 (soft cover). Rosemary Watson is seeing ghosts -- not spectres that rattle their chains, but strange characters that fold out of existence as though they were made of paper. Stranger still, these characters seem somehow familiar, and they want something from her. When her older brother Theo comes home, Rosemary realizes she is not the one who has lost her mind. But who has stolen her brother's sanity, and what must she do to get it back? With the help of her new friend Peter McAllister and her otherworldly guide, the faerie shapeshifter Puck, Rosemary must face the storybook perils of the Land of Fiction, and learn to open her heart, before it is too late. The Unwritten Girl is a literary adventure for ages ten and up.

The Horrors: Terrifying Tales Book Two edited by Peter Carver. Red Deer Press; $12.95;8-8995-338-4 (soft cover). The second volume of Peter Carver's horror anthology for teens freatures stories by CANSCAIP members, Kathy Stinson, Sylvia McNicoll, and Gillian Chan. Kathy's story The Collapse is a contemporary adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe.

Lisa, Book Three: The Trouble with Gold by Priscilla Galloway. Penguin: $8.99; 0-14305-012-5 (soft cover). It's 1863 and Lisa's fortunes are looking up. Her gold nugget will bring her family to the Cariboo gold-rush town where she is living with the McNaughtons. Trouble looms, however, when Samuel Stokes, a partner in the enterprise, insists that the nugget does not belong to Lisa at all. Lisa gets unexpected help from the hurdy gurdies, dancing partners for the miners. Will she solve her problems?

Vivien Untangled written and illustrated by Sarah Hartt-Snowbell. Napoleon Publishing; $9.95; 1-894917-25-1 (hard cover). In Sarah Hartt-Snowbell's first novel it is New Year's Eve 1955 is coming up fast, and eleven-year-old Vivian is determined to buy a snazzy new diary that she sees in the window of a local gift shop. In her search for ways to come up with the money, Vivian lands herself in a big heap of trouble with her beloved grandfather, her quarrelling parents, her friends and her confused school principal. The diary is soon put to good use as Vivian, a natural trouble magnet - and her own worst enemy - must untangled the web of problems she has created.

Old Tired Dog by Alison Lohans, illustrated by Raymond McGrath.Sails Literacy Series , Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd.; dist. in Canada by Thomson Nelson' 1-86970-364-2. Chris enjoys skateboarding and watching movies with his cousin Ian. When his very old dog Ginger comes along on a skateboard outing and isn't able to keep up with the boys, Chris must make some difficult choices.

Beauty Returns by Sylvia McNicoll. Fitzhenry & Whiteside; $22.95, $11.95;1-55005491-0579-5 (hard cover), 1-5500510085-099-5. Elizabeth finally gets to keep a dog though not the one she expected. When she and the 17 year-old receipiant of her former foster dog go out and fall deeply for each other, no one approves not even Magic, the golden retriever Liz currently fosters, or Beauty, Kyle's guide dog. The heartwrenching tale of two dog-crossed lovers that concludes Sylvia McNicoll's The Beauty Series.

Clara and the Bossywritten and illustrated by Ruth Ohi. Annick Press; $6.95 $19.95; 1-55037-943-7 (hard cover), 1-55037-942-9(soft cover). Today's Parent, June 2006/Stephanie Simpson McLellan)"Clara loves triangles, tuna and the colour purple. She also loves the idea of her new best friend, Madison, until she finds herself swapping triangles for stars, tuna for ham and purple for yellow...because Madison says so. At first intimidated by Madison's bossiness, Clara soon realizes that the only way to be happy is to be herself."

Hi! I Am the New Baby by Tina Powell, illustrated by Jenny Campbell. Big Fat Pen Publishing Inc; $9.95; 0-97377-993-4. In this heartwarming, interactive book, a new baby tells its older sibling all the things it can and cannot do, while posing questions to the older child. Hi! I Am the New Baby uses understanding, communication, and respect to help children find that special love and friendship which only siblings can share. This new, revised edition of Tina Powell's bestseller features new illustrations by Jenny Campbell.

Aram's Choice by Marsha Skrypuch, illustrated by Muriel Wood. Fitzhenry & Whiteside; $18.95, $10.95: 1-55041-352-X (hard cover), 1-55041-354-6 (soft cover). From the New Beginnings series, comes Aram's Choice, a story that follows the life of an boy who loses his family in the Armenian genocide in Turkey and is exiled in Greece. The book follows Aram while he travels to Canada with forty-seven other Armenian boys in what was Canada's first international humanitarian effort. Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch first heard about the Armenian Genocide seventeen years ago while doing research for a magazine article about the first "Georgetown Boys" -- a group of 47 Armenian orphans who were rescued by Canada in 1923 and were housed and schooled at a farm in Georgetown, Ontario. After interviewing the son of a "Georgetown Boy," Marsha was left with more questions than answers. For example, why were all of the rescued orphans male? Why were they all between the ages of eight and twelve? What happened to their parents? What happened to their sisters?

Kobzar's Children: A Century of Untold Ukrainian Stories edited by Marsha Skrypuch. Fitzhenry & Whiteside; $22.95, $14.95; 1-155041-954-4(hard cover), 1-55041-997-8 (soft cover). The kobzars were the blind minstrels of Ukraine, who memorized the epic poems and stories of 100 generations. Traveling around the country, they stopped in towns and villages along the way, where they told their tales and were welcomed by all. Under Stalin's regime, the kobzars were murdered. As the storytellers of Ukraine died, so too did their stories. Kobzar's Children is an anthology of short historical fiction, memoirs, and poems written about the Ukrainian immigrant experience. The stories span a century of history; and they contain stories of internment, homesteading, famine, displacement, concentration camps, and this new century's Orange Revolution. Edited by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, Kobzar's Children is more than a collection; it is a moving social document that honors the tradition of the kobzars and revives memories once deliberately forgotten.

Myths, Mysteries & Merriment- Short Stories By The Children Of East Gwilliambury chosen by Cheryl Uhrig. East Gwilliambury Public Library; $5.00

May 2006

Susan Allen has created two new performances. The first, to be premiered at Carassauga, (Mississauga's Caravan)on May 27 is called:The World of Turkish Shadow Theatre A young Turkish boy describes his life and culture in Istanbul, Turkey to a Canadian girl he has met in the school yard in Toronto. Through the use of traditional shadow images (inspired by Turkish designs)and modern shadow props, the boy describes his food, language and the unique form of Turkish shadow puppetry called "Karagoz". Set to Turkish music, the performance highlights Turkish shadow theatre and the two main characters of the shadow theatre, Karagoz and Hacivat.The second,to be premiered at the Fresh Air Fair on June 4 at Dundas Square is:We Care about Fresh Air.A skunk and racoon fighting over a garbage bin in Toronto compete with each other to see who gets the bin. The competition involves which creature can make the loudest screech. When the animals try their best to screech, both end in a fit of coughing because of the smog in the city. This gets them talking about smog in Toronto and possible solutions to the problem. This story engages the children who are watching to give ideas for possible solutions to the city's smog issue.

Stanley's Wild Ride by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Kids Can Press; $17.95; 1-55337-960-7 (hard cover). This is the sequel to Stanley's Party, in which Stanley and his doggish friends go on the lam one night and discover an abandoned skateboard.

The Mystery of the Graffiti Ghoul by Marty Chan. Thistledown Press; $10:95; 1-89723-500-3 (soft cover). In this comic sequel to The Mystery of the Frozen Brains by Marty Chan , two boys track a graffiti artist to the cemetery, where they get the crazy idea that zombies are painting the town "dead." The boys will confront teenagers, go undercover in a dress and team up with their worst enemy to solve the mystery. Target readers: ages 8 - 13.

TJ and the Sports Fanatic by Hazel Hutchins, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker. Orca Books; $7.95; 1-55143-461-X (soft cover). When TJ's crazy friend, Seymour, gets them both involved in playing football, they discover amazing facts about sports of all description. The real mystery, however, is why Seymour wants to be a football player in the first place. Only a good friend like TJ can figure it out.

Hiding Edith by Kathy Kacer. Second Story Press: $13.95; 1-89718-706-8 (soft cover). The true story of Edith Schwalb, a young Jewish girl sent to live in a safe house after the Nazi invasion of France. Edith's story is remarkable not only for her own bravery, but for the bravery of those that helped her: an entire village, including its mayor and citizenry, heroically conspired to conceal the presence of hundreds of Jewish children who lived in the safe house.

Kidnapped Book One: The Abduction by Gordon Korman. Scholastic ; $6.99: 0-439-84777-X (soft cover). This is #1 of a trilogy that is the sequel to the 6-book series, ON THE RUN, recently released in its entirety.

Wake Up, Henry Rooster! by Margriet Ruurs, illutrated by Sean Cassidy. Fitzhenry & Whiteside; $19.95; 1-55041-952-8 (hard cover). Henry, a young rooster, is responsible for crowing up the sun and waking the farm each morning. But Henry is not a "morning rooster". He likes to sleep in and play until late at night. Eggs must be collected. Cows must be milked. Chores must be done. Everyone is depending on Henry to wake them. Can he learn to be a morning rooster?

The Library Book - The Story of Libraries from Camels to Computers by Maureen Sawa, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Tundra Books: $19.95; 1-978-0-88776-698-5 (hard cover). A histoy of libraries, from ancient time to the present, and how the technologies have evolved.

Stealing Home by Ellen Schwartz. Tundra Books; $12.99;978-0-88776-765-4 (soft cover). Set in Brooklyn, New York, in 1947, Stealing Home tells the story of 10-year-old orphan Joey Sexton, who finds himself living with his mother's estranged family - a grandfather, aunt and cousin that Joey never knew he had. Set against the excitement and controversy of Jackie Robinson becoming the first black man to play major league baseball, this novel follows Joey's journey as he tries to find love and security in a strange and at times unwelcoming new environment.

Sarah's Legacy by Valerie Sherrard. The Dundurn Group; $12.99; 1-55002-602-X (soft cover). You know how it is when you get a feeling that something big is going to happen? Well, it wasn't like that for me. In fact, that Thursday started out like any other day." With these words, Sarah Gilmore begins the remarkable story of what happened when she and her mother, Maggie, suddenly found themselves recipients of an unusual inheritance. A home of their own sounds too good to be true to the Gilmores, who have been struggling to manage on Maggie's income as a waitress - but the conditions that come with the house are strange indeed. Then Sarah receives a message that she should look for a mysterious bequest in an old chest and her imagination runs to thoughts of jewels and wealth. She is disappointed when the chest seems to yield nothing of value - until she learns the truth about her legacy.

Dinosaur Stakeout by Judith Silverthorne. Coteau Books; $8.95; 1-55050-344-9 (soft cover). Following the adventures of Dinosaur Hideout and Dinosaur Breakout, twelve-year-old Daniel Bingham once again travels back to the time of dinosaurs to learn more about the prehistoric creatures he loves. This time he has an unexpected companion. And Daniel encounters the dangers of prehistoric times and the struggle to return home.

Road Rage by Bill Swan. James Lorimer and Company; $8.95; 1-55028-916-0(soft cover). Third in a triology involving the runners from S.T.Lovey's Elementary School, this book is Swan's seventh for the well-known Lorimer Sports Series.

Me and the Blondes by Teresa Toten. Penguin; $14.95; 0-14305-307-8 (soft cover).

The Strictest School in the World by Howard Whitehouse, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Kids Can Press; $18.95; 1-978-1-55337-882-2 (hard cover). Being the tale of a clever girl, a rubber boy and a collection of flying machines, mostly broken. This is book one in the Mad Adventures of Emmaline and Rubberbones by runaway English school boy, Howard Whitehouse.

The Princess Mage by Maggie Wood. Sumach Press; $10.95; 1-894549-52-X (soft cover). Maggie L. Wood plunges us once again into the magical world of Mistolear in the much-anticipated sequel to "The Princess Pawn". This time, her heroine Willow is summoned to the Elf Council of Clarion and forced to play the Goblin King's Gauntlet. Can she help the elf Queen keep the Balance of Power on the side of Light? And which elf twin hides darkness within? Everything depends on a difficult choice that only Willow can make..

April 2006

Chat Room by Kristin Butcher. Orca Book Publishers; $16.95/$9.95; 1-55143-529-2 (hardcover), 1-55143-485-7 (softcover). In her new book, Kristin Butcher tells the story of Linda who, for her entire school life, has been more or less invisible. Her schoolmates don't dislike her; they just don't notice her. Certain she will somehow embarrass herself if she tries to join in, she remains in the background, quietly watching life go on around her. But when her high school sets up chat rooms on its website, Linda sees an opportunity to break out of her shell. The question is does she go too far?

Gold Fever by Angela Dorsey, illustrated by Jennifer Bell. Pony, Stabenfeldt Inc.; 1-93334-300-1 (hardcover). The fifth book in Angela Dorsey's Horse Angel series, Gold Fever, is being released in Canada through the Pony bookclub this month. Also in April, the sixth book of the series, Frantic Flight, is being released in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Norway. In addition, A Horse Called Freedom, previously released in Canada in 2004, is being released in Hungary and the Czech Republic in April. A big month!

Johnny Kellock Died Today by Hadley Dyer. HarperCollins Canada; $12.99; 0-00639-533-3 (softcover).

Jump with Jesus by Lily Erlic, cover by Barbara Spencer. CSS Publishing; $11.95 US; 0-7880-2393-4 (softcover). Jump With Jesus contains 76 pages of activities, action rhymes,recitations and role-playing for Sunday School or for any time of the day.

Bronding's Honour by Ann Ewen. Thistledown Press; $15.95; 1-89723-501-0 (softcover). In Ann Ewan's latest novel, Dayraven is the healer for her small and isolated clan. But when one of the clan leaders is killed far from home, she is magically chosen to avenge him and take his place.

How the Moon Regained Her Shape by Ben Hodson, illustrated by Janet Ruth Heller. Sylvan Dell Publishing; $19.95; : 0-9764943-4-5 (hardcover). A story influenced by Native American folktales, emphasizing self-confidence and understanding the phases of the moon.

Almost Eden by Anita Horrocks. Tundra Books; $14.99; 0-88776-742-7 (softcover). A young adult novel about a 12-year old Mennonite girl who begins to question her belief in God after her mother is hospitalized with depression.

Born to Rock by Gordon Korman. Hyperion Books; $19.99; 0-439-94600-X (hardcover). In Gordon Korman's latest book, a conservative teen discovers that his father is a notorious, low-life punk rocker named - wait for it - King Maggot!

Who Is Your Favorite Monster, Mama? illustrated by Maryann Kovalski, written by Barabra Shook Hazen. Hperion; $21.99; 0-78681-810-7 (hardcover). Harry is a middle monster who wonders who Mama monster really loves best. His fears are finally allayed with Mama monster's wise reply.

Exit Point by Laura Langston. Orca Book Publishers; $16.95/$9.95; 1-55143-525-X (hardcover), 1-55143-505-5 (softcover). In Laura Langston's new novel, sixteen-year-old Logan Freemont died before his time. He took exit point two instead of exit point five. Now, before he can move on to the afterlife, he has to save his little sister from a fate no child should face.

No Safe Harbour: The Halifax Explosion Diary of Charlotte Blackburn by Julie Lawson. Scholastic Canada; $14.99; 0-43996-930-1 (hardcover). No Safe Harbour, the latest title in the acclaimed Dear Canada series, traces the life of 12-year-old Charlotte in the days before, during, and after the horrific explosion that devastated Halifax on December 6, 1917. A gripping story of loss, courage, hope and renewal in the most harrowing of circumstances makes for a compelling read.

The Raspberry Room by Alison Lohans, illustrated by Gillian Newland. Orca Book Publishers; $6.95; 1-55143-353-2 (softcover). Abby loves playing brave adventurer in the raspberry patch in her backyard. When she looks through a knothole in the fence, she sees somebody looking back at her. Who is it?

The Raintree Rebellion by Janet MacNaughton. HarperCollins Canada; $15.99; 0-00639-542-2. The Raintree Rebellion is a sequel to The Secret Under My Skin.

What's That Sound? By the Circus by Sheryl McFarlane, illustrated by Kim LaFave. Fitzhenry & Whiteside; $10.95 Canada/$7.95 US: 1-55041-814-9 (hardcover).Another board book in Sheryl McFarlane's the What's That Sound? series designed to help little link words, sounds; a crucial step for developing reading skills.

What's That Sound? By the Sea by Sheryl McFarlane, illustrated by Kim LaFave. Fitzhenry & Whiteside; $10.95 Canada/$7.95 US: 1-55041-812-2 (hardcover). Another board book in Sheryl McFarlane's the What's That Sound? series with plenty of sounds for little noismakers everywhere!

Coupe et soucoupe à Sudbury by Mireille Messier, illustrated by Marc Keelan-Bishop. , Éditions du Vermillon; $9.95; 1-897055-832-2 (softcover). The third in a series of French mystery chapter books for kids 8 and up.

The Best Pet by Tony Stead, illustrated by Christine Tripp. Scholastic Canada; 0-7791-5306-5.

Three Songs for Courage by Maxine Trottier. Tundra Books; $22.99; 0-88776-745-1 (hardcover). In this powerful novel for mature readers, Maxine Trottier transports the reader to the summer of 1956, and the small town of Erie View, a haven for teenagers. Summer jobs are plentiful, and there's always action on the beach or the main drag. Life is cool. But Erie View is a town of shifting layers. They drift by turns, scarcely touching, then jarring painfully: fathers and grandfathers try to adjust to quiet lives after an eternity of action overseas, women struggle to remake marriages and return to their kitchens, and teenagers with far too much freedom live the secret lives of youth.

Fires and Wildfires: A Practical Survival Guide by Edward Willet. The Rosen Publishing Group; $26.50 (U.S.); 1-400420-532-2 (hardcover). Part of Rosen's Library of Emergency Preparedness.

Just Imagine ABC by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Christine Tripp. Scholastic Canada; 0-7791-5486-x. See Christine's artwork at her web site.

Round Up at the Palace by Kathleen Cook Waldron, illustrated by Alan and Lea Daniel. Red Deer Press; $19.95; 0-88995-319-8 (hardcover).

March 2006

Things are Looking Grimm, Jill by Dan Bar-El. Orca Books; $7.95; 1-55143-400-8 (soft cover). A satire based on Grimm's Fairy Tales.

The Scarlet Cross by Karleen Bradford. Harper Collins Ltd.; $15.99; 0-00-639345-4 (soft cover).In the year 1212, a young French shepherd from Cloyes named Stephen had a vision in a field while tending his sheep. A man appeared before him and gave him a letter which he told Stephen came from God. The missive commanded Stephen to raise an army of children to do what men before them had not been able to: liberate Jerusalem by their faith alone. Stephen gathered 20,000 children, young people, priests and adults to him. After a terrible march across France, they set sail in ships from Marseille and were not heard of again until a priest returned almost twenty years later and revealed what their fate had been. Based on true facts, this is the prequel to Karleen Bradford's novel, Angeline

Cascade Theatre (artistic director Jerry Silverberg) will be presenting Something From Nothing based on the book by Phoebe Gilman at the Metro Central YMCA, (20 Grosvenor St. - south of Wellesly, west off Yonge) on Saturday March 25th at 2:00pm. Tickets only at the door -suggested donation $5. Info: 416 469 2878

Grandpa's Clock by Rachna Gilmore, illustrated by Amy Meissner. Orca Books; $21.95; 1-55143-333-8 (hard Cover).It's Cayley's turn at last. Her beloved Grandpa is making her a grandfather clock of her very own. Eager for the clock, Cayley helps in his workshop. But when Grandpa is taken ill, Cayley learns more than she ever thought possible...

Hunting the Hunter by Gordon Korman. Scholastic Canada; $6.99; 0-439-65141-7 (softcover). The final book in award winning author, Gordon Korman's On the Run series.

The Kids Book of Great Canadian Women by Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by John Mantha. Kids Can Press; $19.95; 9-7815537-820-4 (hard cover). Meet more than 130 great Canadian women and learn about their amazing achievements in exploration, science, the arts, politics and many other fields. Fact boxes, quotes and a time line highlight the many contributions Canadian women have made to this country.

Squirt! The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read About Blood by Trudee Romanek, illustrated by Rose Cowles. Kids Can Press; $7.95/$14.95; 1-55337-777-X (soft cover), 1-55337-776-1 (hard cover).Trudee's fifth book in the 'Mysterious You' series, Squirt, explores the ebb and flow of that miraculous liquid: your blood. Find out how much blood you have, what it does, how your heart pumps it around and your organs keep it clean. Learn about your red blood cells. (By the time you read this sentence, your body will have produced 10 million new ones!) Activities will show you how strong your heart is, how the one-way valves in your veins work and more.

Shattered by Eric Walters. Penguin Canada; $20.00; 0-670-06366-5 (hard cover). Shattered is a novel which traces a young man's discovery of the world of the homeless, and through one of these men, a former UN peacekeeper, the larger world and the tragedies that have taken place such as the Rwanda genocide.

We All Fall Down by Eric Walters. Doubleday; $14.95; 0-385-66192-4 (hard cover). Will is spending the day with his father at his office. It is 'Take Your Child to Work Day'. His father works on the 85th story of the South Tower, World Trade Center. The date is September 11.

Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt. Kids Can Press; $16.95; 1-55337-959-4 (hard cover). Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he's well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel's emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute. Day after day he watches, until one day, his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree, where germs, poison ivy and sharks lurk. But as Scaredy Squirrel leaps into the unknown, he discovers something really uplifting.

Friendships stories by Budge Wilson. Penguin Canada; $12.99; 0-14301-766-7 (soft cover). A dozen short stories exploring the phenomenon of friendship, for ages 12 and up.

Red Goodwin by John Wilson. Ronsdale Press; $9.95; 1-55380-034-6 (soft cover). A Young Adult novel set on Vancouver Island and based around the mysterious death in 1918 of union activist Ginger Goodwin.

The Golden Scarab by Barbara Winter (Wood), illustrated by Jason Loo. Scholastic/ Rubicon Publishing; 1-89709-668-2(soft cover).

Trapped in Gallipoli By Barbara Winter (Wood), illustrated by Scott Page. Scholastic/ Rubicon Publishing; 1-89709-677-1 (soft cover).

February 2006

The Nine Days Queen by Karleen Bradford. Scholastic Canada Ltd; 0-439-96102-5 (hard cover); $14.99. Karleen Bradford's new book tells the story of fifteen-year-old Lady Jane Grey who was Queen of England for only nine days before being found guilty of treason. Guilty, even though she had never wanted to become Queen. Now she faces the executioner's axe.

John Diefenbaker: the Outsider who Refused to Quit by Lanny Boutin, illustrated by Gabriel Morrissette. Jackfruit Press ; 0-9736406-4-2 (soft cover);$19.95. Lanny Boutin's new book The Outsider Who Refused to Quit is one of the first in a series of warts and all books on Canadaís illustrious and awfully interesting Prime Ministers.

Tunings by Alison Lohans. B-) Print Editions; 0-97359-664-3; $10.00 (soft cover). Tunings is a chapbook in the "Voices" Poetry Series released by B-) Print Editions.


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