Web Links

The traditional holiday of Thanksgiving is most often presented from the colonial side and not from the aboriginal side - this book presents the year 2000 re-enactment of Thanksgiving from the Wampanoag side of the story. Arguing that "a number of today's assumptions about that event are based more on fiction than on fact," the authors explain a map that shows Wampanoag territory and the ways in which they acted as "caretakers" never owners of the land, and fascinating facts (e.g., the first Bible printed in the New World was in the Wpanak language). A strong reminder that our holidays should be viewed in more than one way.

When a family starts receiving a penguin a day, starting on New Year's Day, their food storage - and mathematical- problems start to get more and more complicated! Excellent math links and appealing drawings means this can be used to present more complex math challenges above grade 3.

Typical of Ted Lewin's abiltiy to portray life in other cultures in words and beautiful watercolor paintings. A boy from the Amazon rainforest is excited when he's taken to town by his father, and sees the people and the markets that rely on the riches of the waters and trees of the forest. His father shares with the boy his concern for what is happening to this environment upon which they, too, depend.

In an attempt to discover why he keeps getting attracted to - and dumped by - Katherines (19 in total), a high school whiz kid and his best friend go off on a road trip. Along the way, he attempts to devise a mathematical formula to explain his relationships - with limited success - but can math explain the heart?

Book 1 in a series, this introduces a cast of genetically altered kids (98% human and 2% bird), who have to rescue one of their own from a pack of mutant wolf-humans. This is a fast-paced book that is intended to introduce the reader and set them up for subsequent books in the series.

This is the story of the author's last summer with his family before he was forcibly removed to residential school. The details of the how he spent his summer, with his family and experiencing his world are told, but always with the forced removal that the reader knows is coming.

This book was originally written to counteract the grim news that emanates from the Ivory Coast - in doing so, the author manages to capture some of the universal themes of teenagers everywhere. This book is written in graphic format, so is an easy read for more reluctant readers - but it is intended for older students.

A true story of five little girls who wanted to become ballerinas, despite their physical challenges. Their dream comes true, with patience, perseverance and practice.

Orasmyn is a 17-year-old Persian prince, secure in his life until he makes a fatal error in judgement and is cursed to take the form of a lion. He will be freed only if a woman loves him. A retelling of Beauty and the Beast - from the beast's point of view, and taking place in Persia. This book is intended for high school students.

Beautifully illustrated, with raised lines on each page and white text on black pages, this book is meant to be experienced through fingers instead of eyes. The book allows sighted readers to experience colours through other senses, the way that visually impaired people experience them. Each page has the text in printed word and in Braille and there is a fuill Braille alphabet at the end of the book.

Left alone and penniless by the plague of London, Mary is taken in by a gang of orphans and learns street survival skills. However, when their leader is killed, Mary decides to disguise herself as a boy, and is soon employed as a ship's boy on the HMS Dolphin. Her bravery saves her friend Jaimy and earns her the nickname "Bloody Jack" .  THis story will appeal to slightly older students with a sense of adventure.

Tony Horwitz recreates Captain Cook's travels and adventures as a sailor aboard a replica of Cook's ship. He attempts to give the reader an understanding of the time and the people and Cook's impact on them.

A gentle story about two friends who are very different. When Bob goes up and Otto stays on the ground, they discover that they bring different contributions to their friendship.

A story of post-war Holland and how two childrens' act of generosity helped a whole town. THis book is based on a true story.

This is written in diary form and takes place in contemporary Pakistan. As payback for a crime that her older brother committed Nadira is considered "soiled" goods in her culture, except to her younger brother Umar, who sees beauty in her scars. When Umar is sold to slave traders, Nadira sets out to find him, disguised as a boy.

A story in verse about a girl raised in an fundamentally religious,abusive family. A very gripping and intense story that keeps the reader riveted to the last page. Some language and sex throughout  makes it appropriate for older teens. She has also written a number of other books including  "Impulse" and "Cranked".

Cat jumps into everything - and always gets into trouble. A lovely circular story and an excellent portrayal of cats and their behaviour.

When gambling debts become insurmountable, a slave owner hosts the biggest slave auction in American history. When he breaks a promise by selling Emma, his most-valued slave and caretaker of his children, the decision brings about terrible consequences.

A red ball rolls into the doghouse - who is going to be brave enough to go in and get it? Mouse nominates Cow - because he is big, brave and strong. Cow goes in - and doesn't come out. Mouse next nominates Pig - because he is smart, wise and stinky. But Pig goes in - and he doesn't come out.... Who goes in next? And why are they not coming out? A simple book - with a surprise ending!!

At 17, Dooley has seen his fair share of trouble - and although he is trying to stay clear of it, he becomes the only witness of an apparent suicide. The victim's sister does not believe that it was a suicide and she enlists Dooley's help in finding out what happened to him.

Dragon rescues a cat from the cold - but runs into trouble when he has no idea of how to deal with it or the yellow puddles that it leaves. A nice story, with lovely illustrations.

From the smallest personal beginnings to the largest human triumphs, why are we here if not to dream? This book is a colourful journey through all the ages and the stages of life, each stage with a different illustrator (15 in all) as well as suitable quotes. Likely more suited to the older student , but the illustrations are worthy of a look from younger students as well.

Duck is a carousel duck, who longs to fly like real ducks. She is adopted by a real baby duck, whom she sets out to mentor. Unfortunately, she cannot teach him to fly. This is a simple story that will resonate with adults - it's simple style and the illustrations will still appeal to young children.

Photographs of different parts of the world and the changes (both good and bad) that have made an impact. Nature's physical processes (such as earthquakes and glaciation) have produced enormous changes in physical and human environments. But humans also change the physical world by irrigating the desert, burning carbon-rich fuels, or many other short- and long-term processes. A good entry point of discussion for social studies and the environment.

The fear of learning new skills is identified here, as Elf must learn to fly. When he looks down from his nest, he is frightened. But his parents know that he must learn to fly, so they stop bringing him food in an effort to make him independent.

The world government is looking for children with special abilities that can be fine-tuned, so that they can endure war games and strategies and ultimately defeat an alien species who threaten the entire human race. Particularly appealing to boys, but is also a great book for discussing some of the moral implications that arise.

After writing a letter that triggers a lawsuit against her church, Mena is ostracized by former friends and church members and even her parents. The unit in biology on evolution creates another furor - but this time, her lab partner helps her deal with it and introduces her to the previously forbidden Lord of the Rings (and kissing).

A lovely tactile book that uses vellum pages to show the foggy foggy forest - and what lies beyond.

Nicholas is one of those students that has both an excess of energy and an uncanny ability to distract teachers from assignments and send them waaaay off topic. However, he meets his match in his Grade 5 language arts teacher - and invents a word to prove a point. Using frindle for pen seems like a good idea at the time - but it soon gets out of control!!.

A time-tested tale - simple to read and simply illustrated, but with elegant prose. This is a book that is suitable on every level, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Doucette has 8 of these guides - "Empire", Climate change", "Genocide","Oil", "Betrayal of Africa","Slavery today", "Cities" and "Sex for guys". These guides are easily read books that explain the titled topic (often from the historical to the present -day) in an interesting and concise manner. These are easy reads and a good way to get the background on a particular topic.

A continuation of the story from 'Love that dog". This is written in narrative (like Love that dog)and introduces Jack to poetic concepts like alliteration, metaphors and onomatopoeia. Jack has a run-in with a black cat (hence the title), but has cause to grow to like him (a little bit) by the end of the book. This is a great sequel to Love that dog - but could stand on its own (if it had to).

THe story of 8 gorillas and their similarities - and differences - to humans.

A free verse novel, dealing with the issues in 12-year-old Anne’s life: a pregnant mother, her grandfather’s failing memory, trying to resist the pressure to become a member of the running team, and her art teacher’s requirement that she draw an apple 100 times.

Hen hears - and passes on - some interesting gossip. Similar to the game "Telephone", it turns out that what Hen heard and passed on - and what got passed on after - were not true.

The story of Lucky, who has lots to worry about, as her mother is dead, her father is not in the picture and she is being cared for by her guardian, who wants to move back to France. Lucky's coping mechanism is to be prepared for everything. This book is similar in vein to "Because of Winn-Dixie", and may appeal more to girl readers.

When the teacher gives her class an assignment to guess how many seeds are in a pumpkin, they discover that it is not always the largest one that yields the most seeds.

When a pigeon breaks its wing, no one notices except Will, who takes (along with his parents) the injured creature into their home. Beautifully illustrated, the story shows the recovery process and the bird's resilience as he returns to health - and then to the world where he came from.

"I was a rat!" exclaims Roger when he shows up at Joan and Bob's door in a scruffy coachman's uniform and with some distinctly ratty habits. Distracted by a soccer game, he says he failed to make the midnight curfew and is now stuck as a boy instead of turning back into a rat. A different take on Cinderella and some parody of the press, government officials and several other of society's institutions makes this a story of humour as the reader follows Roger's adventures.

25 poems, written by Sheree Fitch and beautifully illustrated by Yayo. Lots of wordplay in the poetry - and in the thoughts it evokes.

A sort of "Twilight Zone" for Grades 4 -8. A collection of short stories that borders on the bizarre - with some humour thrown in.

A new interpretation of Lewis Carroll's poem, this book places the action on a basketball court and in an urban setting. Strong graphics and colours will appeal to students and puts an interesting twist on a familiar poem.

A combined mystery and sports story that will appeal to junior high and high-school readers. How did the world's greatest soccer player achieve this goal, growing up in an Amazon jungle, far from the usual sports arenas and coaches usually needed for superior sports performance? This book combines the action of the game and El Gato's story as told to a journalist interviewing him at the height of his career.

Ike is opposed to the mayoralty-to-be's platform of law and order for the city's dogs. The solution? He runs for mayor himself. The story unfolds through letters to Mrs. LaRue, newspaper accounts and LaRue's considerably sanitized version.

When Miranda begins writing in her new diary, she is an average teenage girl, living in an average Pennsylvania town and the diary reflects her typical adolescent self-absorption. However, an asteroid hits the moon, and the weather and life around her changes suddenly and not for the better. Mass hysteria is followed by the slowly dawning realization that the normal life that she and her family once knew is gone and may never return. Miranda’s diary reveals the growing anxiety and fear within her family as things deteriorate  and there is scarcely power,water or food. Her family survives illnesses and injuries, and the death of close friends, but are cut off from any knowledge of what is happening beyond their town. "The sense of doom in this fast-paced, speculative novel is overwhelming, but so, too, is the humanity of its characters and the will to survive." (CCBC Review)

Louise decides to leave the comfort of her nest and the safety of the hen-house for adventures abroad - these adventures include going to sea (and escaping from hungry pirates), joining the circus (and escaping from hungry lions) and performing an escape when she is locked into a cage with other hens.She uses these adventures to entertain her fellow hens at night in the hen house.

Mrs. Fibonacci puts a math curse on the hero - and turns EVERYTHING into a math problem. Used by one teacher to pick a page and solve a problem.

Mrs.Chicken is captured by a crocodile and is taken to be fattened up for dinner. However, Mrs. Chicken claims that she can prove she and the crocodile are related and therefore she should not become dinner.This is based on a Liberian folk-tale, and the illustrations and the telling of the trickster tale are sure to appeal.

Beautifully illustrated in comic-book size panels, this is an eminently readable version of this story. The author gives us a sense of who Captain Bligh was and why the mutiny happened.

How would you describe your family? One little girl uses found objects to describe the members of her family in a very graphic and real manner. This book has both language art connections as well as a great art idea.

When darkness falls, the gargoyles come alive - leave their perches to gather as a group. The language and alliteration, together with the pencil drawings, makes this an especially eerie book for Halloween.

Inspiration from a true story gives this tale of a young escapee from slavery and his dog a sense of authenticity. James leaves his dog behind when he attempts an escape from his master - but the dog follows and helps save James from further captivity. An excellent read-aloud, full of tension and very gripping.

Is it a hat? No, that's wrong? This is a tale of a rabbit, a pair of bright red underwear and some fashion advice from his friends. A humourous look at one rabbit's interpretation of fashion!

This is a story within a story and highlights words within words. This would be an excellent Math and Language Arts combination, as it uses the numbers from one to ten and the words from one to ten to create the story.

The story of a young girl Toby and her adventures as she "runs way", in an attempt to find a new home for an obsolete robot. Interesting science fiction elements, with a human story attached.

Peedie is a small yellow gosling who sometimes forgets things. But he never forgets to wear his lucky red baseball cap. He wears it everywhere--until he puts it in a secret place...and he forgets just where that "secret place" is. Full of lovely illustrations and gentle humour, this book will appeal to the very young child - and the teacher who reads it to them. The Doucette also has Gossie and Ollie the Stomper, equally charming books.

Was Nelson Mandela a terrorist? How did cars shape Los Angeles? How would you change if you tried being a boy for a day - or a girl? Find information and answers on these topics and more. This book is a fascinating read, especially for those moments when there is limited time to get into a longer book.

Gritch the witch flies to Old MacDonald's farm for some pigs to make a piggie pie, but when she arrives she can't find a single one. Somewhat of a trickster tale, with great robust illustrations.

As a young child, Wangari remembered her village with trees. But when she returned after college in America, the trees were being cut and the land and people were suffering. This story is an example of the difference one person can make - and teaches that good stewardship of the land helps everyone.

One of the titles in an action and adventure series featuring Alex Ryder, a 14 year old boy who is a spy for Britain's M16.
Alex goes undercover into a Swiss school for "incorrigible" boys - and something is not quite right. Another series with equal appeal is the Cherubs series by Robert Muchamore , about orphaned British children who become spies in an elite unit known as the Cherubs (this series is not currently in the Doucette).

The prince is going to choose a bride from Mount Eskel - and all the potential young women are sent to the Princess Academy to train for the opportunity. Mira (the heroine) discovers new things about herself and an inner strength that allows her to ultimately save the other girls from harm. A good read for upper elementary/early junior high - but more definitely written for girls than boys. A Newbery Honor book.

When a young girl hears Pssst! at the zoo, she tries to help out the gorilla - and the pig - and the sloth - with interesting consequences....

This is a biography of William Carlos William - doctor and poet. The book is done in a  mixed media format, with his poems written throughout in different fonts. This book would likely resonant well with older students, although his poetry is referred to in "Love that dog" by Sharon Creech - so children who were engaged with that book might find this of interest.

13-year-old Cap has always lived with, and been home-schooled by, his grandmother, Rain. When she is hospitalized, Cap is taken in by a social worker and sent off to middle school. Cap soon becomes the butt of pranks, including being nominated for School President (an honour reserved for the school's "biggest loser"). He reacts in unexpected ways and, in the end, elevates those around him to higher ground.

Ten-year-old Ernest has a flat, colourless life. Each day is the same: he comes home after school, eats a healthy snack, and does his homework. But then he meets Victoria (and her 13 brothers) - and slowly, his life starts to change - and he begins to realize just how much life can hold.

A "creepy" story of a courageous 6th-grader whose parents mysteriously disappear, and a long-lost great-uncle, who shows up to take care of her. This story is based on native American folklore and highlights Molly's "warrior-girl" courage and self-reliance to solve the mystery of her parents' disappearance.

The skin I am in is not the only identifier for who I am - this book celebrates the uniqueness of each of us, by taking our identity beyond what is seen and looking deeper into who each of us are.

This story seems  to be about a 15 year boy, his relationship with his two best friends (who appear to be developing a relationship all of their own) and his preoccupation with the news that protons decay. But his pesky younger sister becomes the focus near the end, in a story that reinforces the links we have to those that are closest to us. This book is a simple read and both the topic and style will appeal even to those that struggle somewhat with reading.

Number three in a series of books about Stella this story shows a gentle appreciation of the forest and its creatures through Stella and her little brother Sam's eyes. Stella has all the answers - but Sam asks some good questions, too.

This is an account of the author's life in Cold War-era Prague. His text, accompanied by his illustrations, speak to the political climate of the time and place - but each page also reflects his own thoughts as a child growing to adulthood during this time. The drawings and words show his growing awareness of the West (the Beatles, blue jeans and Coca-Cola) and his eventual move to an open freer world, even as the Berlin Wall came down.

According to Grandma - there are still witches - although you might not recognize them when you see them.....A delightful Roald Dahl story, suitable for all ages.

Thea starts her science project by planting a purple bean in her back yard. When she can't figure out just what it is that is growing (and just what it is doing) she begins a letter-writing campaign to figure it out. An astute reader will figure out just what is happening - long before Thea and her sources do!!

An anthology of poems for children - all Canadian all of the time!!

When a group of friends return home from a camping trip, everyone is gone and their homes are abandoned. Gradually the friends come to understand that their country has been invaded and everyone in town has been taken prisoner. Should they run back to the bush, give themselves up to be with their families or to stay and try to fight? Some sexual overtones and language might make this a more suitable book for upper junior high and high school.

Eleven-year-old Troy begins writing poetry as a class project that culminates in an end-of-year contest. This volume contains eleven writing assignments in which Troy's teacher explains how to write haiku, limericks, and other types of poetry, followed by Troy's clumsy, rude, and often funny attempts. A visually appealing book, as well as an examination of different types of poetry.

Bear is hairy - everywhere except his nose. That's OK - but what is a bear to do when he wants to sleep for the winter and his nose is cold? Lovely illustrations, particularly of the bear.

Corgen has been genetically engineered to be both physically and intellectually superior. However, he lives alone and knows nothing of life beyond his module. When he meets two fellow teens, he begins to think that perhaps the Federation's decisions that have been made for himare no longer his fate.

THe story of a newly born tooth fairy and his attempts to stay out of trouble as he searches for a new home.

A beloved grandmother is remembered with joy by a young grandson and the song that she taught him.

Winnie the witch has a problem seeing her cat - because everything in her house is black, including the cat. Lovely line drawings and colours show Winnie coming up (finally!!) with a great solution!!

The making of a Cowichan sweater by Coast Salish aboriginals is highlighted in this story of a grandmother making a sweater for her granddaughter. From preparing the fleece to the knitting of the sweater, the steps are outlined in soft textural drawings that show the art and craft of these sweater designs.

A teen thriller novel and a good read about a 17 year old boy who discovers that his parents are not who he thought they were - and in fact, he is not sure if they are even his parents.