Is it poetry, or prose in verse, or a free verse novel, or a novel in verse? All epithets have been used for the novel-length stories told in verse form. Writing a book is challenge enough, but to write it in verse, rhyming or not, seems almost inexecutable. Luckily, several authors have found their voices in this writing style and they are exceptionally skilled at it. Judging by the awards bestowed upon the ten books in this list and the young readers of both genders who consume these stories voraciously, it is a style that has a solid foothold in kidsCanLit.
It is 1965 and 12-year-old Emaline must deal with a family that is falling apart. Her father accidentally runs over her leg, leaving her with a permanent disability and then leaves Emaline and her mother on their own. Despite the neighbors' disapproval, Emaline's mother hires Angus, a patient from the local mental hospital, to work their wheat farm …
After twelve-year-old Em loses her right foot in a farming accident, her father blames himself and ultimately leaves. Her mother enlists the help of Angus, a quiet, hard-working man from the local mental hospital, to help with the farm. While dealing with her own disability, and desperately trying to find her father, Em witnesses how prejudice and abuse, particularly that levelled against Angus, has its roots in fear.
On the run from her wicked guardian, Katrina Katrell meets Morty the Zorgle who is looking for all the missing Zorgles. Together Katrina and Morty look to save the mythical creatures from the evil Dulbert Hohummer III of the planet Graybalon-Four.
Governor General's Literary Award nominee 2008 - Children's Literature, Text category Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award Winner, 20092010 Skipping Stones Honor Award Winner - Multicultural & International Awareness Books categoryGolden Oak Award winner, 2009Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards 2009 finalistOn Resource Link's "Best of …
Libertad tells the painful yet hopeful story of a family struggling to survive in a garbage dump in Guatemala City. After the tragic death of their mother, Libertad and his brother Julio realize they cannot stay in the dump, and they begin an incredible journey to find their father in the U.S.
In fifteenth century Spain, the Benvenistes, a family of conversos (Jews who converted to Christianity) must keep their secrets well once Queen Isabella comes to power and imposes her intolerance on the country. After Amir, a young man in Muslim attire, is welcomed by the family, shocking events, including the Spanish Inquisition, transpire to divide and destroy the family.
Shortlisted for the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize
In a small prairie town like Argue, Saskatchewan, everyone knows everybody else’s business. Everyone knows that the Loney family has been barely hanging on -- the father, George, reduced to drink and despair since the loss of his farm and the death of his wife, Margaret. That the fo …
In 1940’s Saskatchewan, the Loney family endures hardship upon hardship. Their mother, Margaret, has passed on; their dad, George, drinks and remarries bitter and self-righteous Effie Slade; eldest son, Ran, enlists in the military to make some money for the family which disappears repeatedly in the mail; and fourteen-year-old Nora is ultimately left in charge of her younger brother with little money for lights, heat or food.
After her mother’s suicide, fifteen-year-old Maya and her father carry the ashes to India. However, it is 1984 and their arrival coincides with the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the prime minister. In the mayhem, Maya is separated from her father and gets help from Sandeep, a mysterious boy, who she grows to love.
Casey has never felt more alone. Since her mothers death, she has struggled to keep the house running and care for Ginny, her autistic sister. Her friends arent close anymore and her dad has withdrawn into drink and his own private grief. Casey begins writing notes to her mother. Then she sets a ritual fire, burns the notes, and watches the smoke r …
When Casey's mom leaves to go on the road and perform as she did before she settled down with John and had Ginny, Casey's autistic sister, Casey is overwhelmed by what she must endure, virtually alone: John’s despair, heartless bullying, Ginny’s special needs, and her own need to connect with her mom again. Sadly, the concept of smoke signals, familiar from childhood, becomes one of her choices to amend her life.
