Sadia by @ColleenNelson14 @dundurnpress #forestofreading #redmaple

Sadia
Colleen Nelson
Dundurn Press

I loved the way Sadia successfully learns to navigate her new Canadian home and the love of basketball with her Muslim culture and traditions.  My favourite word I learned from this book was "dejabbing."  I think this would be a great read aloud in grades 6+ as it would generate some questions and conversations around equity and justice.
I felt Colleen created a very believable and relatable character in Sadia and her friends.  My students have really enjoyed reading this book as they loved the positive message! I appreciated the message that refugees arrive in Canada with different strengths and needs.  We need to remember to meet all of our students in our class where they are and not where we think they should be.  I suggest reading the memoir Homes by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah and Winnie Yeung is a natural companion read to this novel. This Canada Reads finalist taught me more about the Syrian crisis.

Born With Erika & Gianni by @lornasn @ClockwisePress

Born With Erika & Gianni
Lorna Schultz Nicolson
Clockwise Press

The is the second novel in the One-2-One series by Lorna Schultz Nicolson and it does not disappoint!  Just like her Fragile Bones novel, this story revolves around another pair of students from the Best Buddies program in a fictional high school.  I really enjoyed how the novel alternated between the first hand experiences of Erika a student with Down Syndrome and Gianni a student struggling with his sexual identity.   The characters lead complicated but realistic lives and the supporting characters are also well developed.   I learned a lot more about adolescent life from these first person perspectives. I have more empathy and understanding about how it might feel to be a student in high school today.  This book portrayed teenage angst in a hopeful way and I hope there is a third book on the way!?
I feel this book should be on the shelves of all high schools to encourage inclusiveness and understanding for all.

Shattered Glass by @TTotenAuthor @Orcabook

Shattered Glass
Teresa Toten
Orca Books


I received the ARC (advanced reading copy) of Teresa Toten's latest novel to review.  This novel is part of the seven author collaboration series called the Secrets.

The protagonist Toni is an orphan and discovers the truth about her biological family at the age of 16 after she has left the protection of an orphanage in a small town Hope.  The setting is 1964 Yorkville, Toronto. 

I enjoyed the way that Teresa writes an adventurous story of a naive girl with a sense of humour and with great sensitivity.  Her description of her last moment with her mom is very emotional. (Yes I cried)
I enjoyed the pace of the novel and the way that Toni creates her new family when she is invited into a circle of eclectic friends.
This book would make an interesting read aloud as students would see the equity issues Toni faces and rich discussion about society then and now could be encouraged as readers gain some background into life in the 1960's.