• Age: 10 to 13
• Grade: 5 to 8
• Reading age: 11 to 13

Winner of the Doug Wright 'Egghead' Award For Best Kid's Book, 2021.

Marcus is an enthusiastic young boy, but when ridiculed at school, he begins to feel that his best efforts are second-rate. His confidence already low, Marcus suffers a serious brain injury. While in the hospital, and with the help of fellow patient Emily, Marcus learns to embrace the reality of who he is. Mixing fact and fantasy, A Slug Story is a semi-autobiographical, middle-grade, graphic novel by Mandi Kujawa (Jacqueline the Singing Crow) and her daughter Hana, engagingly Illustrated by Claude St. Aubin and Lovern Kindzierski.

Writer Mandi Kujawa lives in Banff, Alberta and is a singer and storyteller who also works as a librarian. She runs a youth choir for elementary children in Banff and engages them with her narratives. She is the author of the children's book Jacqueline the Singing Crow, also published by Renegade.

Mandi Kujawa's profile page

Claude St-Aubin was born in Matheson, Ontario, of French Canadian parents. He spent his teen and young adult years in Montreal, Quebec where he graduated from college as a graphic designer. He is the artist for The Loxleys series and for Mandi Kujawa's Jacqueline the Singing Crow.

Hana Kujawa's profile page

Artist Claude St-Aubin was born in Mathieson, Ontario, of French Canadian parents. He spent his teen and young adult years in Montreal, going on to illustrate titles for DC, Marvel on characters including Supergirl, REBELs. and and Aquaman. He is also the artist for The Loxleys series and for Mandi Kujawa's Jacqueline the Singing Crow.

St Aubin Claude's profile page

• Winner, Doug Wright 'Egghead' Award For Best Kid's Book

"A powerful and honest story that goes to places other, more sanitized narratives, do not. It is an important book." - Mike Donachie, Toronto Star

"A warm, endearing story, skillfully tackling serious themes while also telling a lighthearted tale about a boy and his love for slugs. The hospital can be a scary place for a young person, A Slug Story will resonate with those who are or have been in a similar situation, and help process their experiences." - Stephanie Cooke, Oh My Gods & ParaNorthern

"A Slug Story is a touching novel about coping with a serious illness. The illustrations are vibrant and evocative. They complement the narrative and help readers imagine the "angel wings" that Marcus and Emily see as they try to deal with serious brain dysfunction. An uplifting graphic novel about a young man who struggles to fit in with his peers. Concepts of friendship, courage, and kindness are highlighted because, "Kindness is actual magic." 5/5 stars." - Myra Junyk, Canadian Materials