TD Summer Reading Club 2010

Get ready to travel to exotic and exciting places and discover nature’s wonders right on the shelves of your local library! The theme for this year’s program is:

Here is a list of our books that are on the TD Summer Reading Club’s English Booklist:

Easy Readers:
Don’t Go into the Forest! (Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales)
Written by Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by David Parkins
Paperback | 56 pages
Ages 5-8
ISBN 978-0-88776-778-4
“… Teacher’s will no doubt welcome this pedagogical device as a good motivator for narrative writing. They’ll also appreciate the fact that the series contains a balance of male and female protagonists, some of whom outwit the villain.” – Quill & Quire

Fiction 9-12 Years Old:
Afrika
Written by Colleen Craig
Paperback | 240 pages
Ages 12+
ISBN 978-0-88776-807-1
“The riveting revelations of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) are at the heart of this powerful novel….” – Starred Review, Booklist
“The realities of the society are carefully and skillfully portrayed…. The author does not sugarcoat the realities of South Africa…. Not just another multicultural title, by any means, this novel will really grab readers who appreciate realistic fiction about young people searching for their place in the world.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal

Folk Tales:
How We Saw the World: Nine Native Stories of the Way Things Began
Written and illustrated by C.J. Taylor
Paperback | 32 pages
Ages 8+
ISBN 978-0-88776-373-1
All peoples have their own stories of how the Earth was created, what separated the land from the seas, and how the many animals, fish, and other creatures came to have their particular characteristics. The native tribes of North America are no different: they too have stories about the “way things began.” A fascinating collection of tales that explain the origins of tornadoes, forest fires, butterflies, horses, Niagara Falls, why dogs are our best friends, and even a very funny story of why owls and rabbits look the way they do.

Non-fiction:
In the Land of the Jaguar: South America and Its People
Written by Gena K. Gorrell
Illustrated by Andrej Krystoforski
Hardcover | 160 pages
Ages 9+
ISBN 978-0-88776-756-2
“…every chapter is packed with highlights, descriptions, and poetry in the narrative, in boxes, and in captions. The engaging prose includes descriptions of the unique animals and plants of each country and – coupled with Krystoforski’s vividly colored, jaunty maps and pen-and-ink drawings of everything from sailing ships to tango dancers – encourages readers to peruse every page.” – School Library Journal

Picture Books, Advanced:
The Birdman
Written by Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stéphan Daigle
Hardcover | 32 pages
Ages 5-8
ISBN 978-0-88776-740-1
“The first thing that must be said about The Birdman is that the illustrations… are gorgeous. With intricate Gustav Klimt-style patterns filling every brilliantly coloured area, the book’s illustrations are also reminiscent of Chagall… The paintings are still wholly individual and suited to the text. The story is simple, very touching, and elegantly told, evoking Calcutta’s colour, heat, and its citizens’ difficult lives. And – let me say it again – the illustrations are exquisite.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire

Preschool:
Eats
Written by Marthe Jocelyn
Illustrated by Tom Slaughter
Hardcover | 24 pages
Ages 2-5
ISBN 978-0-88776-820-0
“The word ‘eat’ never appears in the very minimal text accompanying Eats’ eye-catching cut-paper visuals….Top marks here for concept and execution.” – The Globe and Mail

Teen Books:
Swimming In the Monsoon Sea
Written by Shyam Selvadurai
Paperback | 280 pages
Ages 13+
ISBN 978-0-88776-834-7
“As lush and languid as its Sri Lanka setting…What captures readers is the way the story rolls in waves, mimicking how Amrith looks at himself, then looks away. The luxuriant language with details of architecture and verdant gardens doesn’t call attention to itself, but refreshes like a breeze. Selvadurai, who wrote so gracefully for adults…now does the same for teens.” – Starred Review, Booklist

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, visit your local bookstore or library to learn more. We also compiled our reading recommendations for you (click on the covers for more information):

Grease Town
By Ann Towell
ISBN 978-0-88776-983-2
Fiction
Available on February 9, 2010
A heartbreaking history of prejudice, family ties, and the loss of innocence. The novel is based on a race riot that occurred in Oil Springs, Ontario on March 20, 1863.

Afrika
By Colleen Craig
ISBN 978-0-88776-807-1
Fiction
~ Short-listed for the 2009 IODE (National Chapter) Violet Downey Book Award
~ Selected for the Best Book for Kids and Teens 2009 list, presented by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre

Out of Slavery: The Journey to Amazing Grace
By Linda Granfield
Illustrated by Janet Wilson
ISBN 978-0-88776-915-3
Non-Fiction
~ Selected as a Best Book (Non-fiction) by Quill & Quire
“…is beautifully written, evocative, and heart-wrenching” – School Library Journal

I Came as a Stranger: The Underground Railroad
By Bryan Prince
ISBN 978-0-88776-667-1
Non-Fiction
~ Honor Book for the Society of School Librarians International’s Best Book Award – Social Studies
~ Winner of 2005 Children’s Nautilus Book Awards (Non-fiction)

Season of Rage: Hugh Burnett and the Struggle for Civil Rights
By John Cooper
ISBN 978-0-88776-700-5
Non-Fiction
“…well written and compelling.” – VOYA
“What is really a vignette of events in one small town results in a much broader view of the attitudes of an entire country. An eye-opening story.” – School Library Journal

Rapid Ray: The Story of Ray Lewis
By John Cooper
ISBN 978-0-88776-612-1
Non-Fiction
“…This well-written and engaging biography of the first Canadian-born black athlete to join a Canadian Olympic track-and-field team…” – School Library Journal