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New Middle Grade Books

Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: Peril at Owl Park

Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: Peril at Owl Park

by Marthe Jocelyn
illustrated by Isabelle Follath

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A Slug Story

A Slug Story

by Mandi Kujawa & Hana Kujawa
illustrated by Claude St. Aubin

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The King of Jam Sandwiches

The King of Jam Sandwiches

by Eric Walters

? “Tug at the heartstrings and tickle the funny bone…This warm tale is definitely one for the keeper shelves. Highly recommended.”

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Under Amelia's Wing

Under Amelia's Wing

Book 2 in the Ginny Ross series

by Heather Stemp

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Izzy in the Doghouse

Izzy in the Doghouse

by Caroline Adderson
illustrated by Kelly Collier

An endearing, energetic take on chapter books for transitioning readers.

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Beyond Repair

Beyond Repair

by Lois Peterson

"Peterson keeps readers engaged from page one of this suspenseful and touching (yet admirably unsentimental) hi-lo book."

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Journal of a Travelling Girl

Journal of a Travelling Girl

by Nadine Neema
illustrated by Archie Beaverho
foreword by Joseph Judas

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The Girl of Newgate Prison

The Girl of Newgate Prison

by David Starr

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Planet Hockey: First Star of the Game

Planet Hockey: First Star of the Game

by J. Torres
illustrated by Tim Levins

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Ciel

Ciel

by Sophie Labelle
translated by David Homel

This charming novel depicts a realistic slice of life as a nonbinary teen.

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Hatch

Hatch

A Novel

by Kenneth Oppel

"The book’s character arcs are nuanced and believable and the prose, gorgeously rendered. Oppel’s chillingly beautiful, detailed world is the perf …

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Bunbun & Bonbon: Fancy Friends

Bunbun & Bonbon: Fancy Friends

illustrated by Jess Keating

"Thick lines, clear borders, bright colors, and a bold, highly readable san serif type make this title ideal for newly independent readers or younger …

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Jay Versus the Saxophone of Doom

Jay Versus the Saxophone of Doom

by Kara Kootstra
illustrated by Kim Smith
afterword by Bobby Orr

PRAISE FOR Jay Versus the Saxaphone of Doom:

"[T]his story has the buoyancy of a life preserver, and humor’s sprinkled around like salt on an icy si …

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Duck Days

Duck Days

by Sara Leach
illustrated by Rebecca Bender

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Hockey Night in Kenya

Hockey Night in Kenya

by Danson Mutinda & Eric Walters
illustrated by Claudia Dávila

“Offers a good starting point for children in learning about and discussing different cultures. Playful black and white, full and half-page illustra …

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Chick: Lister

Chick: Lister

by Alex Van Tol

"Van Tol realistically depicts a down-to-earth protagonist and a family on the verge of change as Chick diagnoses himself with OCD. Chick’s lighthea …

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Nine Doors

Nine Doors

by Vicki Grant

"Boasts a plot that's simple yet gripping, pacing that's tight and rapid-fire, and true-to-life characters that will resonate with readers both young …

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The Druid and the Dragon

The Druid and the Dragon

by Kristin Butcher

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Trapped in Hitler's Web

Trapped in Hitler's Web

by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Praise for Don't Tell the Nazis:"The first-person account, based on the real-life Krystia's memories as told to Skrypuch, reads like a memoir; despite …

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The Desert Prince

The Desert Prince

by Alisha Sevigny

This action-packed series brings the vibrant ancient kingdom to life in wonderful, shimmering detail.

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Red Fox Road

Red Fox Road

by Frances Greenslade

"Frances Greenslade is brilliant in her portrayal of the half-suspected world that lies just beyond the senses of every thirteen year old. The book's …

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Out of Season

Out of Season

by Kari Jones

"Features a high-energy plot rendered in accessible language...The narration is richly descriptive, so strongly visual readers will follow the story e …

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Don't Stand So Close to Me

Don't Stand So Close to Me

by Eric Walters

“Navigates the experience of this unique time period with heart. I couldn't put it down. My students won't be able to either.”

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Camp Wild

Camp Wild

by Pam Withers

"Camp Wild engages the reader with convincingly detailed canoeing and kayaking scenes, both during the dramatic getaway and during the lighter camp ac …

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Clara Humble and the Kitten Caboodle

Clara Humble and the Kitten Caboodle

by Anna Humphrey
illustrated by Lisa Cinar

"The fast-moving, humorous plot will keep readers turning pages. Earlier fans will be pleased to find another Clara book to read."

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Haunted Hospital

Haunted Hospital

by Marty Chan

“An immersive, page-turning ghost hunt.”

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Anne's Kindred Spirits

Anne's Kindred Spirits

by Kallie George
illustrated by Abigail Halpin

One of CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens 2019
PRAISE FOR Anne's Kindred Spirits:

“Both illustrations and text work together . . . to create a compe …

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Inkling

Inkling

by Kenneth Oppel
illustrated by Sydney Smith

“A sweet and funny story about an unusual friendship.”

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Harvey Holds His Own

Harvey Holds His Own

by Colleen Nelson
illustrated by Tara Anderson

Praise for Harvey Holds His Own

“With the winning combination of a relatable main character and an adorable dog, this book should find a home with re …

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Cabin Girl

Cabin Girl

by Kristin Butcher

"Overt messages are presented engagingly for reluctant teen readers."

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Jurassic Peck: A Branches Book (Kung Pow Chicken #5)

Jurassic Peck: A Branches Book (Kung Pow Chicken #5)

illustrated by Cyndi Marko

Praise for Let's Get Cracking! (Kung Pow Chicken #1):An Amazon Best Book of the Month, January 2014* "Marko's debut is a perfectly puntastic page-turn …

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Skunk and Badger

Skunk and Badger

by Amy Timberlake
illustrated by Jon Klassen

“Timberlake’s slyly humorous story of friendship and misunderstandings is reminiscent in tone of both Winnie the Pooh and Wallace and Gromit. The …

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The Puck Drops Here (Hockey Super Six)

The Puck Drops Here (Hockey Super Six)

illustrated by Kevin Sylvester

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Wired

Wired

by Sigmund Brouwer

"Wired's fast-paced plot and element of mystery will appeal to readers. Recommended."

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The Brushmaker's Daughter

The Brushmaker's Daughter

by Kathy Kacer

The unimaginable is made alive, heart-wrenching, and reachable for modern young readers.

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Death Drop

Death Drop

And Other Stories

by Mary Blakeslee

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Embrace the Chicken

Embrace the Chicken

by Mahtab Narsimhan

"Narsimhan presents an honest look at the dilemmas faced by teens as they transition from one culture to another, while simultaneously showing the str …

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Lost in Barkerville

Lost in Barkerville

by Bitten Acherman

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Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North

Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North

by Dan Bar-el
illustrated by Kelly Pousette

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It Came from the Basement (The Lunch Club)

It Came from the Basement (The Lunch Club)

illustrated by Dom Pelletier

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Teacher's Pet

Teacher's Pet

Inuktitut Edition

by Shawna Thomson
illustrated by Tindur Peturs

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Yara's Spring

Yara's Spring

by Jamal Saeed & Sharon E. McKay

“The narrative is fast-paced and descriptive, and the dialogue so charged with the characters’ emotions that readers will be immediately drawn int …

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The Ice Chips and the Invisible Puck

The Ice Chips and the Invisible Puck

Ice Chips Series Book 3

by Roy MacGregor & Kerry MacGregor
illustrated by Kim Smith

“A wonderful book about Canada’s greatest game: hockey. . . . The Ice Chips and the Invisible Puck continue to win the hearts of readers (of all a …

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Just Watch Me!

Just Watch Me!

by Erin Silver

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How Jack Lost Time

How Jack Lost Time

by Stéphanie Lapointe
illustrated by Delphie Côté-Lacroix
translated by Arielle Aaronson

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The Girl From the Attic

The Girl From the Attic

by Marie Prins

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Pia's Plans

Pia's Plans

by Alice Kuipers

“Simple vocabulary, short chapters, and quick pacing make this slice-of-life story a great high-interest, low–reading level option for struggling …

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Amelia and Me

Amelia and Me

Book 1 in the Ginny Ross Series

by Heather Stemp

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The Hermit

The Hermit

by Jan L. Coates

"The Hermit is a funny, suspenseful, unexpectedly poignant adventure about family, friendship, and the importance of standing up for the people and pl …

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King of the Mole People: Rise of the Slugs

King of the Mole People: Rise of the Slugs

illustrated by Paul Gilligan

"The same sly humor and quirky illustrations found in the first volume. With a bit of hand-selling, these stories will beperfect for kids looking for …

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Head to Head

Head to Head

by Jennifer Manuel

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Clan

Clan

by Sigmund Brouwer

“Despite the world Atlatl lives in being very different from the one we live in today, Brouwer does a fantastic job of making it clear that the hum …

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Open Ice

Open Ice

by David Trifunov

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Caley Cross and the Hadeon Drop

Caley Cross and the Hadeon Drop

A Novel

by Jeff Rosen

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Very Rich

Very Rich

by Polly Horvath

One of Quill & Quire's Books of the Year 2018
One of CCBC’S Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2019)

PRAISE FOR Very Rich:

"[Very Rich] is fast-paced …

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The Firebird

The Firebird

by Susanna Kearsley

“…compelling characters, an intricate plot, and just the right balance of intrigue, romance, and historical detail…In a winning combination of h …

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Stolen Girl

Stolen Girl

by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Praise for Stolen Girl: "A gripping exploration of war-induced trauma, identity, and transformation." -- Kirkus Reviews"In addition to helping childre …

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The Barren Grounds

The Barren Grounds

The Misewa Saga, Book 1

by David A. Robertson

"David A. Robertson has written such a fine, beautiful novel. He manages to combine hard truths about our history with a Narnia-like fantasy, sweepin …

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Mirror Image

Mirror Image

by K.L. Denman

"A character-driven gem that is contemporary without being trendy or superficial...a sophisticated insightful novel that appeals to youthful idealism. …

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Fish Out of Water

Fish Out of Water

by Joanne Levy

“These quality, relatable novels are ideal for students at the middle school level who benefit from ultra-readable formats.”

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Broken Strings

Broken Strings

by Eric Walters & Kathy Kacer

One of Kirkus Reviews' Best Middle Grade Books of 2019
One of the Globe and Mail’s 100 Books that Shaped 2019
One of Quill And Quire’s Honorable …

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Pigboy

Pigboy

by Vicki Grant

"Dan's wry sense of humor catches readers' attention and has them rooting for him practically from the first page. Pigboy is a great quick read for bo …

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No Vacancy

No Vacancy

by Tziporah Cohen

Praise for Tziporah Cohen and No Vacancy:

“It’s wonderful when a book about miracles turns out to be one. And the miracle in No Vacancy above every …

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Pine Island Home

Pine Island Home

by Polly Horvath

“With orphan stories there is a rule, of course: By the end, children must have a real guardian. Who that will be is one of the mysteries — and ul …

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Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: Peril at Owl Park
A Slug Story
The King of Jam Sandwiches
Under Amelia's Wing
Izzy in the Doghouse
Beyond Repair
Journal of a Travelling Girl
The Girl of Newgate Prison
Planet Hockey: First Star of the Game
Ciel
Hatch
Bunbun & Bonbon: Fancy Friends
Jay Versus the Saxophone of Doom
Duck Days
Hockey Night in Kenya
Chick: Lister
Nine Doors
The Druid and the Dragon
Trapped in Hitler's Web
The Desert Prince
Red Fox Road
Out of Season
Don't Stand So Close to Me
Camp Wild
Clara Humble and the Kitten Caboodle
Haunted Hospital
Anne's Kindred Spirits
Inkling
Harvey Holds His Own
Cabin Girl
Jurassic Peck: A Branches Book (Kung Pow Chicken #5)
Skunk and Badger
The Puck Drops Here (Hockey Super Six)
Wired
The Brushmaker's Daughter
Death Drop
Embrace the Chicken
Lost in Barkerville
Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North
It Came from the Basement (The Lunch Club)
Teacher's Pet
Yara's Spring
The Ice Chips and the Invisible Puck
Just Watch Me!
How Jack Lost Time
The Girl From the Attic
Pia's Plans
Amelia and Me
The Hermit
King of the Mole People: Rise of the Slugs
Head to Head
Clan
Open Ice
Caley Cross and the Hadeon Drop
Very Rich
The Firebird
Stolen Girl
The Barren Grounds
Mirror Image
Fish Out of Water
Broken Strings
Pigboy
No Vacancy
Pine Island Home
see all

On the Blog

The Chat with Emily Urquhart

The Chat with Emily Urquhart

By Trevor Corkum

In The Age of Creativity (House of Anansi Press), Emily Urquhart challenges us to reconsider our thinking around artistic practice and aging.

Book Cover After Elias

Launchpad: AFTER ELIAS, by Eddy Boudel Tan

By Kerry Clare

"After Elias gifts the reader with gorgeous, economic prose and the pace of a thriller. I couldn't put it down." —Natalie Jenner

Giller Prize 2020 Special: The Chat with David Bergen

Giller Prize 2020 Special: The Chat with David Bergen

By Trevor Corkum

We’re thrilled to begin this year’s special Scotiabank Giller Prize coverage in conversation with David Bergen. David appears on this year’s shortlist for his short story collection Here the Dar …

Book Review: The Boy Who Moved Christmas by Eric Walters & Nicole Wellwood

Book Review: The Boy Who Moved Christmas by Eric Walters & Nicole Wellwood

By Geoffrey Ruggero

The Boy Who Moved Christmas is a beautiful story of a community coming together to grant the wish of a young boy battling cancer. It brings about the spirit and magic of the holidays, in October.

Book Cover Daughter of Black Lake

Be Transported with Historical Fiction

By Cathy Marie Buchanan

A recommended reading list by Cathy Marie Buchanan, whose new novel is Daughter of Black Lake.

Book Cover How to Lose Everything

Launchpad: HOW TO LOSE EVERYTHING, by Christa Couture

By Kerry Clare

"This might be the wisest, most delightful sad story that you've ever read in your life."

more from the blog

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