15 Canadian back-to-school books for kids and teens

With summer winding down and back-to-school on the horizon, check out these 15 books by Canadian authors and illustrators that can help ease young and teen readers back into the school year.

I Am Cherished by Onome Ako, illustrated by Ken Daley

In I Am Cherishedit's Kikelomo'sfirst day of school and she is excited to meet her new classmates. However during circle time some of the other children make fun of her name when she introduces herself.She tells her parents and they explain the origin of her name that it means 'a child who is cherished'in Yoruba.When Kikelomo goes to school the next day she is proud and excited to tell her classmates where her name comes from.

I Am Cherishedis for ages 4-8.

Onome Ako is a writer and the CEO of Action Against Hunger Canada. In 2021, Ako received theCanada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award and more recently shereceived theRBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award for her impact in socialchange. Ako was born in Nigeria and lives in Toronto.

Ken Daley is an illustrator from Cambridge, Ont. His previous books includeJoseph's Big Ride, Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings and Jayden's Impossible Garden.

Class Trip by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko

When Stephanie and Sean's class goes on a field trip to watch baby chickens hatch at the museum inClass Trip,they decide to play a prank on their class when they notice that the biggest egg in the museum has hatched.

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Class Tripis for ages 3 to 8.

Robert Munschis one of Canada's iconic storytellers, and has published over 80 books for children. Some of his titles includeLove You Forever,Mortimer,The Paper Bag PrincessandA Promise is a Promise. He was named to the Order of Canada in 2009. He lives in Guelph, Ont.

Michael Martchenko lives in Burlington, Ont., and is a Canadian artist and illustrator of several of Robert Munsch's books. Their books together includeMortimer,The Paper Bag Princessand many more.

The Only Lonely Fairy by Lana Button, illustrated by Peggy Collins

Leah's only wish is to find a friend to play fairies with her at school, but when none of her classmates say yes she is left all alone. In the picture book,The Only Lonely Fairy, Leah is in turmoil as she realizes she is the only one reading fairy tales and becomes overwhelmed with sadness when suddenly she catches the faint voice of someone, or something, who might want to be her friend after all.

The Only Lonely Fairyis for ages 3 to 6.

Lana Button is a children's writer and educator based in Burlington, Ont. Her other books includeWillow Finds a Waywhich was shortlisted for the Blue Spruce Award andPercy's Perfect Friend.

Peggy Collins is a children's author and illustrator of over 35 books includingHungry for MathandIn the Garden. She is currently living in Newburgh, Ont.

Today is Orange Shirt Day by Phyllis Webstad, illustrated by Natassia Davies

Today is Orange Shirt Dayis a board book for babies and toddlers that starts the conversation about the importance of Orange Shirt Day and The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This age-appropriate touch-and-feel board book helps children to understand what they can expect to see and do on Orange Shirt Day.

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Today is Orange Shirt Dayis for ages 0-3.

Phyllis Webstad was born on Dog Creek Reserve and is Northern Secwepemc from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation. Based in Williams Lake, B.C., she travels around the country to tell her own orange shirt story. Shewon the YA/adult category of the 2021/2022 First Nation Communities Read Awardsfor her bookBeyond the Orange Shirt Story.

Natassia Davies is an artist, graphic designer and illustrator of Coast Salish ancestry. She has illustrated several books for children, includingLittle Wolf, written by Teoni Spathelfer, andWhite Raven, written by Teoni Spathelfer, which was shortlisted for the Indigenous Voices Awards.

The Weedflower by Elizabeth Davaze, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer

In The Weedflower, one day when playing outside in the school grounds, a young girl called Sam notices a dandelion sprouting through the concrete and rubber turf of the playground. Soon other students also notice thedandelionand under their tender care and attention, the flower thrives. Until one day the adults at the school notice it and announce it must go. Sam and her friends do everything they can to protect their special flower.

The Weedfloweris for ages 4-8.

Elizabeth Davaze is a writer, photographer and former news journalistfromKincardine, Ont.The Weedfloweris her debut picture book.

Marianne Ferrer is an illustrator originally from Venezuela and now living in Montreal. Previous children's books that Ferrer illustrated includeWake Up, Little Pin!,111 Trees, Mel and Mo's Marvelous Balancing Act andCarmen and the House That Gaud Built.

Alina in a Pinch by Shenaaz Nanji

In the early chapter book, Alina in a Pinch,Alinaand her family recently moved to a new city, which has meant starting a new school. Alina is finding lunchtime especially difficult, especially after she receives a mean note from a bully after bringing in one of her beloved Nani'sAfro-Indian meals for lunch one day. Alina decides to audition for Junior Chef and is determined to show her classmates that she is proud of her heritage.

Alina in a Pinchis for ages 6-8.

Shenaaz G. Nanji is a writer who has published over 12 books for children.Alina in a Pinchwas a finalist for the Silver Birch Express Award 2023. Her latest book is Alinain the Deep. Her bookChild of Dandelionswas a finalist for the 2008 Governor General's Literary Award, Young People's Literature Text. Nanji was born in Kenya and now lives in Calgary.

Asking for a Friend by Ronnie Riley

In the middle-grade novelAsking for a Friend,Eden Jones would prefer to pretend to have friends rather than pushing their social anxiety to make real ones. Eden has told their mom that three of their classmates, Duke, Ramona and Tabitha, are their friends at school. When Eden's mom invites them all over, Eden is forced to actually talk to them.Asking for a Friendis a story of queer joy and the messy but beautiful parts of friendship.

Asking for a Friendis for ages 8-12.

Ronnie Riley is a middle-grade writer based in Toronto. Their first book wasJude Saves the World.

The New Girl by Cassandra Calin

Inspired by artist Cassandra Calin's own immigration story,The New Girlis a middle-grade graphic novel about Lia and her family's move to Canada from Romania. Alongside all the complicated feelings Lia has about moving to somewhere completely different from home, when she arrives she experiences her first period. Now, as Lia navigates a new school with new classmates and new languages she is also faced with the daunting task of puberty.

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The New Girlis for ages 8 to 12.

Calin is an artist and popular webtoon cartoonist who has amassed over 2.5 million followers on social media. She was born in Romania and now lives in Montreal.The New Girlis her debut graphic novel. CBC Books named Calin awriter to watch in 2024.

Mortified by Kristy Jackson, illustrated by Rhael McGregor

Mortifiedis a funny and honest middle-grade novel about facing your fears. Belinda Houle is incredibly shy, so nobody is more surprised than she is to find out she's been secretly signed up to audition for the school play. After Belinda's best friend, and resident witch, casts a spell on her to give her confidence, a series of embarrassing events happen, one after the other, which makesBelinda thinkshe must be cursed.Belinda is determined to face her anxiety and break the curse!

Mortifiedis for ages 8 to 12.

Kristy Jackson is a communications professional and writer who runs a program that delivers books to children in remote Indigenous communities. Jackson is a member of Whitefish Lake First Nation and lives near Saskatoon. She draws inspiration from her Cree and German background in her work.Mortifiedis her debut novel.

Rhael McGregor is a Mtis and two-spirit/queer comic artist based in Winnipeg. Their work includes illustrations and stories published by publications such as Iron Circus Comics, Quindrie Press and Highwater Press.

Call Me Al by Wali Shah and Eric Walters

Call Me Alfollows the adolescence of Ali, a Muslim Pakistani immigrant and teenager who is in Grade 8 and just wants to please his parents and maybe get noticed by his crush Melissa. Ali struggles to feel comfortable in his community as his classmates make fun of food or his skin colour. When his mom and young brother are assaulted, Ali is altered forever and must learn to find his voice through trusted loved ones and his love for poetry.

Call Me Alis for ages 9 to 12.

Wali Shah is a Pakistani Canadian poet and public speaker. He was previously the poet laureate for the city of Mississauga.Call Me Alis his first book.

Eric Walters is one of Canada's most prolific writers for young people. He's penned over 100 books, includingBear in the Family,The Power of ThreeandRun. His 2006 novelWe All Fall Downcame in at #88 on the list ofthe bestselling 150 Canadian books of the past 10 years. Walters won the2020 Governor General's Literary Prize for young people's literature textforThe King of Jam Sandwiches.

The Kodiaks by David A. Robertson

The Kodiaksfollows 11-year-old Alex Robinson who moves from a close-knit community to a bigger city after his dad gets a new job. Alex is struggling to fit in at his new school when he realizes that his teachers and peers don't know a lot about Indigenous culture and traditions. When he joins the local hockey team, the Kodiaks, Alex is hopeful but still forced to deal with ignorant players, as he balances his Indigenous identity and his new reality.

The Kodiaksis for ages 9 to 12.

David A. Robertsonis a writer and graphic novelist based in Winnipeg. Previous books in Roberson's Misewa Saga series includeThe Barren Grounds,The Great BearandThe Stone Child.Other books by Robertson include the graphic novelsWill I See?andSugar Falls, YA bookStrangers, the memoirBlack Waterand theGovernor General's Literary Award-winning picture books calledWhen We Were AloneandOn the Trapline,both illustrated by Cree-Mtis artist Julie Flett.

With Love, Miss Americanah by Jane Igharo

With Love, Miss Americanahis a contemporary romance novel about Enore Adesuwa, a Nigerian girl having just moved to America for her senior year following the death of her father. Still grappling with her own grief and her mother's high standards, Enore turns to her cousin Adrian for his expertise on American high schools, all of which comes in the form of classic teen movies. However, when Enore meets the handsome Davi Santiago, she forgets all the rules she and her mother hadset for her and begins to chart her own path.

With Love, Miss Americanahis for ages 14 and up.

Jane Igharo came to Canada from Nigeria when she was 12 years old. She currently lives in Toronto. Her other novels includeTies That TetherandWhere We End & Begin.

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

Curious Tidesis a YA fantasy book about a teen mage who is trying to find out the truth about the drowning deaths of her fellow students at theprestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics. After being theonly survivor of a tragedy at the Dovermere sea caves, Emory has discovered that she has gained new powers and abilities that she doesn't know how to control. When the supposedly drowned students begin to wash ashore, alive, only to then die very soon after in horrible ways, Emory begins to suspect that there is more behind the drowningsand the secret society that she believes her classmates were involved in.

Curious Tidesis for ages 14 and up.

Pascale Lacelleis a French Canadian author from Ottawa. She has abachelor's degree in French literature.Curious Tidesis herfirst novel.

Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada

Skater Boyfollows Wesley "Big Mac" Mackenzie as he struggles to complete his senior year of high school. Wes spends most of his time skateboarding, hanging out with a trouble-making friend group and fostering his secret love for photography. When his mom brings him to a production ofThe Nutcracker, he meets and begins to become attached to its star performer, Tristan Monroe. Caught between his closeted self and his true identity, Wes comes to realize who he truly wants to be in this gay coming-of-age love story.

Skater Boyis for ages 14 and up.

Anthony Nerada is a writer currently based in Vancouver. He previously studied psychology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, as well as earning his diploma in public relations.Skater Boyis his debut novel.

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Something More by Jackie Khalilieh

Something Moreis a YA romance following 15-year-old Jessie Kassis' first year of high school. Jessie is a Palestinian-Canadian girl who is coming to terms with her autism diagnosis all the while trying to make friends, get a spot in the school play and get her first kiss. When she catches the attention of two boys at Holy Trinity High, Jessie discovers more about who she is and what she truly wants.

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Something Moreis for ages 12 and up.

Jackie Khaliliehisa Palestinian-Canadian writer who lives just outside of Toronto.Something MoreisKhalilieh's debut YA novel.