The best Canadian books for kids and young adults of 2022

Here are CBC Books picks for the best Canadian young adult, middle grade and picture books of the year!

Love from Mecca to Medinaby S.K. Ali

In the sequel toLove from A to Z, Adam and Zayneb must find their way back to one another. Adam is in Doha, Qatar, making a map of the Hijra, a historic migration from Mecca to Medina, and Zayneb is in school in Chicago. When the pair get a chance to reunite for Thanksgiving week on the Umrah in Saudi Arabia, the trip goes nothing like what they expect and their love is put to the test.

Love from Mecca to Medinais for ages 14 and up.

• S.K. Ali on telling YA stories informed by love, xenophobia and remembering what it was like to be a teen

S.K. Aliis a writer and teacher from Toronto, best known for her debut YA novel,Saints and Misfits.She is also the author ofLove from A to Z.

Abuelita and Meby Leonarda Carranza, illustrated by Rafael Mayani

Abuelita and Meis a picture book about a girl and her beloved abuelita. One day while travelling across the city, the girl and her grandmother encounter racist actions directed at them. But the duo are empowered to be strong and stare down negativity.Abuelita and Meis about how believing in yourself can defeat even the most negative of people around you.

Abuelita and Meis for ages 4to 7.

Leonarda Carranzais a writer who wasraised in Toronto, and born in Cuscatln (El Salvador) to a mixed-race family of Afro-Indigenous ancestry. She holds a Ph.D. in social justice education from the University of Toronto. She is the winner of Briarpatch Magazine's Writing in the Margins contest, and Room's 2018 ShortForms contest. Carranza lives in Brampton, Ont.

Rafael Mayaniis a Mexican artist based in Vancouver. He draws inspiration from the vibrant colours and shapes of Mexico and the natural beauty of Canadian landscapes.

Boys and Girls Screamingby Kern Carter

In the YA novelBoys and Girls Screaming,a teen named Ever is coping with the sudden death of her father. Ever decides to form a support group called Boys and Girls Screaming for kids who have suffered trauma. But while the other students share their stories and find solace, Ever is driven deeper into depression and hits her breaking point. It's up to the group to set Ever onto a path of healing.

Boys and Girls Screamingis for ages 14 and up.

• Kern Carter's YA novel Boys and Girls Screaming is a thoughtful mix of empathy, entertainment and emotion

Kern Carter is a Toronto author and freelance writer. He has written and self-published two books the novellaThoughts of a Fractured Souland the novelBeauty Scars. Kern also has writing credits in Forbes, the New York Times, Global Citizen, Elle Magazine and Fatherly.com.

Swim Teamby Johnnie Christmas

Swim Teamfollows middle schooler Bree as she navigates swim class.Bree is excited for her first day at her new middle school until she's stuck with the only elective class that fits her schedule, Swim 101. Swimming makes Bree sick to her stomach, but she's forced to dive headfirst into her fear. With the help of Etta, her elderly neighbour and former swim team captain, Bree becomes good at swimming. Her swimming obsessed community is counting on her to guide her school's failing swim team to a state championship, but first, they have to defy all odds and beat their rival, Holyoke Prep.

Swim Teamis for ages 8 to 12.

• Johnnie Christmas's graphic novel Swim Team is buoyed by themes of community, perseverance and overcoming fear

Johnnie Christmas lives in Vancouver and is a #1 New York TImes bestselling graphic novelist. He's the author of the sci-fi seriesTartarusandCrema, the bookFirebugand is working on three middle-grade graphic novels. He's best known for creating theAngel Catbirdseries with Margaret Atwood and adapting the lostAlien 3screenplay into a graphic novel of the same name.

WATCH | Meet artist Johnnie Christmas:

Meet the illustrator bringing Margaret Atwood's dystopian comic world to life

8 years ago

Duration 2:50

Discover how Vancouver-based comic book artist Johnnie Christmas rekindled his passion for comic arts and found a collaborator in the beloved author.

Oculum Echoby Philippa Dowding

Oculum Echois a novel about a dystopian world devastated by environmental collapse. The children of the automated, domed city of Oculum are in danger. With bombs raining down from the sky, Miranda1, Mannfred, Grannie and the 1,000 children of Oculum must flee their farm to escape. As they begin their journey through the wasteland chased by UnRuly, Echo1 is awakened from an 83-year sleep. Echo1 is on a mission to help the children of Oculum, but who must be protected in this new world and what must be destroyed?

Oculum Echois for ages 9 to 12.

• Philippa Dowding on the magical bonds between time twins

Philippa Dowding is a Toronto author of books for young readers. HerbookFireflywon the 2021 Governor General's Literary Award for youngpeople'sliterature text.

Stepby Deborah Ellis

Stepis a short story collection featuring children who are all about to turn 11-years old and how that event changes them. The series of stories are about children from all over the world and feature magical and mysterious themes.

Stepis for ages 9to 11.

• Deborah Ellis on what she would be if she wasn't a writer

Deborah Ellis is a Canadian writer of children's books, includingThe Breadwinner. The award-winning book tells the story of Parvana, an 11-year-old living in war-torn Kabul, who must pretend to be a boy after her father is sent to prison so she can earn money for her family.The Breadwinnerwas praised by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzaiand adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film produced by Angelina Jolie. In 2000, Ellis' adventure novelLooking for Xwon the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text. Herother books include the children's short story collectionSitand nonfiction bookKids of Kabul. She is a member of the Order of Canada.

Water, Waterby Cary Fagan, illustrated by Jon McNaught

InWater, Water, a boy named Rafe wakes up one morning to find that his bedroom is floating out to sea. Forced to fish for food, Rafe finds himself stuck in a wet and otherworldlyadventure involving a strange young girl and a strange new world.

Water, Wateris for ages 9to 12.

• Why Cary Fagan has a love-hate relationship with words

Cary Fagan is an Ontario author of books for adults and children. His children's books include the popular Kaspar Snit novels, the two-volumeMaster Melville's Medicine Showand the picture bookMr. Zinger's Hat. He is also the author of the novelA Bird's Eye, which was a finalist for the Rogers Trust Fiction Prize and an Amazon.ca Best Book of the Year.In 2014, Fagan received the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work. His 2019 novel,The Student, was a finalist for both the Toronto Book Award and the Governor General's Literary Award.

Jon McNaught is a London-basedillustrator, printmaker and lecturer.

Blood Scionby Deborah Falaye

In the YA fantasy novelBlood Scion, a teen named Sloane discovers she is a superpowered Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods. But when she is forced to join the army under a brutal warlord, Sloane realizes she has an opportunity to use her magical powers to defeat the enemy from within.

Blood Scionis for ages 14 and up.

• 18 Canadian books to get the science fiction and fantasy fan this holiday season

Deborah Falaye is a Nigerian Canadian YA author based in Toronto. She grew up in Lagos, where she spent her time devouring African literature, pestering her grandma for folktales and tricking her grandfather into watchingPassionsevery night.Blood Scionis her debut novel.

Lizzy and the Cloudby the Fan Brothers

Lizzy and the Cloudis a picture book about a girl named Lizzy and the pet cloud named Milo that she loves and cares for. But as Milo continues to grow and grow, the time is fast approaching when Lizzy has to let her pet go free.

Lizzy and the Cloudis for ages 3 to 8.

• The Fan brothers: Books we'd love to illustrate

Eric Fan and Terry Fan are brothers and frequent collaborators on children's books. Theirbooks includeThe Night GardenerandOcean Meets Sky.They also illustratedThe Darkest Darkby astronaut and author Chris Hadfield.

The Summer of Bitter and Sweetby Jen Ferguson

The Summer of Bitter and Sweetis a YA novel about a young Mtis girl living on the Canadian prairies. Lou is spending the summer working at her family's failing frozen treats business with her newly ex-boyfriend. When an old friend unexpectedly comes back to town after three years away and her biological father sends her a letter wanting to reconnect Lou is suddenly faced with more challenges than she might be able to handle.

The Summer of Bitter and Sweetwon the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text.

The Summer of Bitter and Sweetis for ages 13 and up.

Jen Ferguson is anactivist and academic of Michif/Mtis and Canadian settler heritagebased in Los Angeles. Ferguson has a PhD in English and creative writing. Her work includes the 2016 novelBorder Markersand her essayOff Balancewas featured inBest Canadian Essays 2020.The Summer of Bitter and Sweetis her debut YA novel.

Minaby Matthew Forsythe

The picture bookMinais a colourful and heartful look at the bond between father and daughter. Mina lives with her dad in a tree stump on the edge of the forest. When her father brings homea surprise, an anxious Mina learns more about the power of trust and loyalty.

Minais for ages 4 to 8.

Matthew Forsythe is the Toronto-born author-illustrator ofPokko and the Drum, aPublishers WeeklyBest Book of the Year, a recipient of the Boston GlobeHorn Book Award Honor, and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book.

k-ciwkicik / The Moveby Doris George &Don K. Philpot, illustrated by Alyssa Koski

k-ciwkicik / The Moveis a picture book written in Cree and English. The story features colourful illustrations and uses magic and memory to explore how a formerly barren landscape transformed into a rich natural world becoming a place where an elderly couple can spend their remaining days in an ancestral home.

k-ciwkicik / The Moveis for ages 4 to 8.

• A book written simultaneously in both Cree and English is among the nominees for the best illustrated book for young people

Doris George is a Cree author and educator. She is the principal of Chemawawin Schools in Easterville, Man., where she also taught Cree language for four years. She holds a BA and B.Ed. from University College of the North and a Community Linguist Certificate (CLC) from the University of Alberta.

Don K. Philpot is a writer and educator born and raised in Edmonton and Winnipeg, and spent the first part of his adult life in two Cree communities in northern Manitoba. Philpot specializes in Cree language structures and use, language and literacy education, and children's literature.

Alyssa Koski is an Alberta artist, illustrator and animator.

LISTEN | Doris George reacts to being nominated for the Governor General's Literary Awards:

I Hear You, Oceanby Kallie George, illustrated by Carmen Mok

I Hear You, Oceanis the follow-up to the 2021 picture bookI Hear You, Forest.I Hear You, Oceanremindschildren that the ocean has plenty to say, if you only listen.From the sounds of rushing water to the sound a shell makes, the outdoors is a wondrous place to feel connected to the world.

I Hear You, Oceanis for ages 3to 5.

Kallie George is a Vancouver-based writer for children whose books include the Heartwood Hotel series andAnne Arrives.

Carmen Mok is the Ontario-based illustrator of numerous books, includingWaiting for Sophieby Sarah Ellis,Look at Me Nowby Carol McDougall and Shanda LaRamee-JonesandPercy's Museumby Sara O'Leary.

Killer Underwear Invasion!by Elise Gravel

Killer Underwear Invasion!is a middle-grade nonfiction book that helps young readers learn media literacy skills.The book uses colourful and humorous illustrations to help children understandwhat fake news is, why people spread it, and how to tell what is true and what isn't. The title aims to equip young readers with the tools needed tobetter discerntruth in news sources.

Killer Underwear Invasion!is for ages 9 to 12.

• Elise Gravel teaches kids that it's okay to be cranky

Elise Gravel is a Quebec author and illustrator. She is the author of several books for children, includingThe Bat,The Worst Book Ever,The Mushroom Fan Club,I Want a Monster!andWhat Is a Refugee.

Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of)by Kathleen Gros

Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of)is a middle-grade graphic novel that updates and puts a modern twist on the classic storyAnne of Green Gables.When Anne Shirley finally lands in the loving home of the Cuthberts, she becomes friends with a girl named Diana and things just might be more than that. The girls live in the same apartment building, the Avon-Lea. When Anne realizes she might have a first-time crush, she knows that life is about to become even more complicated.

Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of)is for ages 9 to 12.

Kathleen Gros is a comic book artist who was born in Toronto and now lives in Vancouver. She is the creator of the webcomic Lunar Maladies. She has also published the graphic novelsJoandLast Night at Wyrmwood High.

Beatrice and Croc Harryby Lawrence Hill

In the middle-grade novelBeatrice and Croc Harry,ayoung girl wakes up all alone in atreehouse in the woods. She doesn't know how she got there or who she even is. But as she follows a trail of surprising and magical clues, she uncovers the story of the forest, of her family and of herself, thanks in no small part to an unlikely friend and ally,King Crocodile Croc Harry.

Beatrice and Croc Harryis for ages 9 to 13.

• Lawrence Hill reflects on dealing with literary criticism and winning Canada Reads twice

Lawrence Hill is the acclaimed author of novels such asThe Book of Negroes,The Illegal,Some Great ThingandAny Known Bloodand the memoirBlack Berry, Sweet Juice. He also delivered the 2013Massey Lectures,Blood: The Stuff of Life.His novelThe Book of Negroeswon CBC'sCanada Readsin 2009 and was adapted into a six-part miniseries, whichcanbe streamed on CBC Gem.The IllegalalsowonCanada Readsin 2016, making Hill the only author to win CBC's battle of the books twice.

LISTEN | Why Lawrence Hill wrote his first book for kids:

The Next Chapter4:30Sandra Laronde on She Holds Up the Stars

Sandra Laronde on her novel, She Holds Up the Stars.

How to Party Like a Snailby Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier

How to Party Like a Snailis a tale about a snail who loves to have a party just not loud ones. Snail wishes for a quiet party but his animal friends have other ideas. They all soon learn just what it takes to have a get-together that all can enjoy.

How to Party Like a Snailis for ages 4to 7.

Naseem Hrab is a Toronto-based writer and storyteller. She is also the author ofIra Crumb Makes a Pretty Good FriendandIra Crumb Feels the Feelings. Her picture bookWeekend Dadwasa finalist for the 2020 Governor General's Literary Prize for young people's literature illustrated books.

Kelly Collier is a Toronto artist and illustrator.She is the author-illustrator of two picture books,A Horse Named SteveandTeam Steve, and the illustrator ofSloth and Squirrel in a Pickle.

The Line in the Sandby Thao Lam

The Line in the Sandis a wordless picture book about communication and understanding differences. When two monsters have a misunderstanding one day at the beach, the pair grow curious about the literal line in the sand that separates them. The two must learn that resolving conflict helps everyone in the long run.

The Line in the Sandis for ages 4to8.

• Thao Lam's children's bookThaois for everyone reclaiming their name

Thao Lam is an author and illustrator from Toronto. Her picture books includeThao,WallpaperandMy Cat Looks Like My Dad.

She Holds Up the Stars by Sandra Laronde

She Holds Up the Starsis a middle-grade book about a young girl, Misko, who spends a summer on the rez with her grandmother. During the summer, Miskobonds witha spirited horse who refuses to be broken and develops an appreciation for the world around her, and comes to understand her family, her heritage and herself better.

She Holds Up the Starsis for ages 10-14.

Sandra Laronde is aTeme-Augama Anishinaabewriter and performer. She is the founder and artistic director ofRed Sky Performance.

LISTEN |Sandra Laronde discusses She Holds Up the Stars on The Next Chapter:

The Next Chapter5:22Kenneth Oppel answers the Proust Questionnaire

Acclaimed children's book author Kenneth Oppel on his favourite writers, his greatest regret and more.

A Venom Dark and Sweetby Judy I. Lin

InA Venom Dark and Sweet, the conclusion to the Book of Tea duology, a great evil has come to the kingdom of Dxi and the Banished Prince has seized control. Ning, a young but powerful shnnng-shi a wielder of magic using the ancient art of tea-making along with Ning's sister, Princess Zhen and her bodyguard, Ruyi, travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help take back Zhen's rightful throne.

A Venom Dark and Sweetis for ages 13 and up.

Judy I. Lin was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age.Magic Steeped in Poisonisthe first book in the Book of Tea duology.

Kumo: The Bashful Cloudby Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Nathalie Dion

Kumo: The Bashful Cloudis the story of a cloud who wishes to be invisible. But when Kumo has cloud duty one day, fears of self-doubt and being noticed grow overwhelming for her. But Kumo learns that facing one's fears, and making new friends along the way,can be for the best.

Kumo: The Bashful Cloudis for ages 4to8.

• What keeps Kyo Maclear from loitering at the edge of writing

Kyo Maclearis an essayist, novelist and author of children's books. Her books have been translated into 15 languages, won a Governor General's Literary Award and been nominated for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, among others. Her memoirBirds Art Lifewas a finalist for the 2017 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction andwon the 2018 Trillium Book Award.

Nathalie Dion is an author and illustrator based in Montreal. She also illustrated the picture booksThe Biggest Puddle in the Worldby Mark Lee andI Found Hope in a Cherry Treeby Jean E. Pendziwol.

Blanket by Ruth Ohi

Blanket is a wordless picture book by Ruth Ohi. It's a gentle, heartwarming book about wanting to get away from the world, but why it's important to have a friend who is by your side even when you want to hide away.

Blanket is for ages 3-6.

Ruth Ohi is an picture book author and illustrator from Toronto. She has created more than 60 books for kids, including the Fox and Squirrel series, Scribble and Choose Kindness.

Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onom

Twice as Perfect is a YA novel about 17-year-old Adanna Nkwachi. Adanna feels the pressure to be the perfect daughter and student because her older brother Sam had a fight with their parents and disappeared. But when chance brings the siblings back together, Adanna is determined to find out what happened and keep Sam's return a secret from their parents. The more Adanna learns, the more she realizes that maybe she needs to start putting herself, and her dreams, ahead of her parents' plans and expectations.

Twice as Perfect is for ages 14 and up.

Louisa Onomis a Nigerian Canadian author who lives in Toronto. She is also the author of the YA novels Like Home andThe Melancholy of Summer.

Ghostlightby Kenneth Oppel

In the novelGhostlight, a teen named Gabe revels in his summer job giving ghost tours on Toronto Island. He loves to tell the story of Rebecca Strand, a teen who died after a fall from Gibraltar Point Lighthouse in 1839. But when he encounters the ghost of Rebecca, he learns that her death may not have been an accident. Gabe tries to solve the mystery but along the way encounters more ghosts, some not quite as friendly as Rebecca.

Ghostlightis for ages 9 to 12.

• Kenneth Oppel on weird research and amazing readers

Kenneth Oppel is a bestselling author whose books include the Silverwing trilogy, which has sold over a million copies worldwide, andAirborn,which won the Governor General's Literary Award for children's literature text. His most recent books includeInkling,Every Hidden ThingandThe Nest.

LISTEN | Kenneth Oppel takes The Next Chapter's Proust Questionnaire:

Unreserved44:29The mission, philosophy and wisdom of Buffy Sainte-Marie

Her powerhouse presence in music, education and cultural reclamation left an indelible mark on an entire generation of Indigenous people. Her music stretches over six decades, she has spoken up for Indigenous people during countless interviews, taught us on Sesame Street and won an Academy Award. In this intimate conversation, Buffy Sainte-Marie shares what it takes to stay on the map when others erase you, how to teach tough truths with kindness, and what living in the circle really means.

Because You Are by Jael Richardson, illustrated by Nneka Myers

Because You Areis a children's book about self-esteem, inner beauty and making a difference in the world we live in. Featuring illustrations by Toronto-based character designer and visual development artist Nneka Myers, the picture book was originally conceived of as a letter to Richardson's younger self with a focus on being joyful and loving herself as a young Black girl.

Because You Areis a picture book for ages 4-7.

• Jael Richardson's picture book Because You Are is a love letter to her younger self

Jael Richardson is an author, the founder and the artistic director of the Festival ofLiterary Diversity (FOLD) and the former books columnist forQon CBC Radio. Richardson, who is from Brampton, Ont., is also the author of the nonfiction bookThe Stone Thrower, which was adapted intoa picture book of the same name, and the novel Gutter Child.

Nneka Myers isaToronto-basedillustrator and character designer for TV animation.

Pink is for Everybodyby Ella Russell, illustrated by Udayana Lugo

Pink is for Everybodyis a picture book about colour, love and acceptance. When a diverse group of children find a pink treasure chest, the collection of pink-coloured items inside set them on a playful adventure fuelled by fun and imagination.

Pink is for Everybodyis for ages 4to8.

Ella Russellgrew up in a house that had a box full of costumes for rainy-day play. The box allowed them to become anybody they wanted from a swashbuckling pirate to a proper palace-dweller. Russelllives in Toronto, with two cheeky but lovable furballs named Saffron and Juniper.

Udayana Lugoworked as a designer of products, interiors and graphics before her love of drawing and children's books led her to become a children's book illustrator. Lugowas born in Russia, grew up in Mexico City, and now lives in Richmond, B.C.,with her husband and two kids.

Still This Love Goes Onby Buffy Sainte-Marie, illustrated by Julie Flett

Still This Love Goes Onis a picture book aboutthe power of love and of Cree traditions. It is an artful look at how love will always live on, across generations.

Still This Love Goes Onis for ages 3 to 8.

• Buffy Sainte-Marie celebrates music, Indigeneity and activism

Cree singer-songwriterBuffy Sainte-Marie's long career includes an expansive catalogue of music, art and work in activism.Hey Little Rockabyewas her first children's picture book, published in 2020.

Julie Flett has illustrated several picture booksincludingRichard Van Camp'sLittle YouandWe Sang You Home,Monique Gray Smith'sMy Heart Fills with Happinessand David A. Robertson'sOn the Trapline.She also is the creator behind the picture bookBirdsong.

LISTEN | Buffy Sainte-Marie reflects on her life's biggest lessons:

The Next Chapter20:30Monique Gray Smith and Nicole Neidhardt on Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults

Monique Gray Smith and Nicole Neidhardt on Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults.

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer, adapted by Monique Gray Smith, illustratedby Nicole Neidhardt

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adultsbrings Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and thelessons American scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer brought to the fore in Braiding Sweetgrassto a younger generation. Adapted by writerMonique Gray Smithand illustrated byNicole Neidhardt,this new editionreinforces the importance of gaining ecological knowledge from earth'soldest teachers: the plants around us.

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adultsis for ages 13 and up.

• How a new adaptation of the hit book Braiding Sweetgrass delivers Indigenous wisdom to a younger generation

Monique Gray Smithis a mixed-heritage Cree, Lakota and Scottish author who often writes and speaks about the resilience of Indigenous communities in Canada. She is also the author of the children's booksSpeaking Our TruthandYou Hold Me Upand the novelsTillyandTilly and the Crazy Eights.

Neidhardt is a Din visual artist and illustrator.Smith and Neidhardt previously collaborated onWhen We Are Kind,a children's book thatcelebrates simple acts of everyday kindness.

LISTEN | WhyMonique Gray Smith and Nicole Neidhardt adaptedBraiding Sweetgrass foryounger readers:

Beautiful You, Beautiful Meby Tasha Spillett-Sumner, illustrated by Salini Perera

Beautiful You, Beautiful Meis a picture book with themes of understanding and loving who we are at all times. It's about a multiracial child named Izzy and her mother. One day the child noticesthat they have different skin tones:hersis the colour of chocolate, while Mamais the colour of sand. Mama uses this opportunity to helpIzzy to see her own unique beauty.

Beautiful You, Beautiful Meis for ages 3 to 7.

• Manitoba author's picture book about motherhood, Indigenous tradition makes New York Times bestsellers list

Tasha Spillett-Sumneris an educator, poet and scholar of Nehiyaw and Trinidadian descent. She is also the author of the bestselling picture bookI Sang You Down from the Starsand thegraphic novelSurviving the City.

Salini Pererais a Sri Lankan Canadian artist and illustrator based in Toronto.

Made in Koreaby Sarah Suk

Made in Koreais a YA rom-comabout two teenagers who are running competing Korean beauty businesses at their high school.Valerie Kwon and her cousin Charlie run a successful student-run enterprise called V&C K-BEAUTY. Wes Jung is the new kid at their schoolafter seeing the enthusiasm from his new classmates for the K-pop-branded beauty products that his mother gave him to help him make new friends, he comes up with an entrepreneurial idea that could help him pay for the music school he hopes to attend after graduation. Valerie and Wes try and resist their growing attraction toone another, while competing to be the most successful business in school.

Made in Koreais for ages 12 and up.

• Writers' Trust of Canada launches program to support books by BIPOC writers launched during pandemic

Sarah Suk is a YA writer living in Vancouver.Madein Koreais her debut novel. Suk'snext book,The Space Between Here and Now, will be published in fall 2023.

Apartment 713by Kevin Sylvester

In themiddle-grade novelApartment 713,a boy named Jake Simmons moves to an apartment building named The Regency, a place that features floors of peeling wallpaper and the barest of hints at its glory. Jake makes a few friends in the building but misses his old home. He quickly discovers that there are secrets hiding within The Regency, secrets that are begging to be explored, especially that off-limit unit known as apartment 713.

Apartment 713is for ages 8 to 12.

Kevin Sylvester is a Canadian broadcaster,illustrator and writer of middle-grade books such as the Neil Flamb Capers series and the MiNRS space adventure series. He is also the co-author of the bookThe Fabulous Zed Watson!,written with his child Basil Sylvester.

The Secret of the Jade Bangleby Linda Trinh, illustrated by Clayton Nguyen

The Secret of the Jade Bangleis a book in the middle-grade series The Nguyen Kids. When their grandmother dies, nine-year-old Anne Nguyen and siblings Jacob and Liz discover that they have new secret powers by way of a beautiful jade bangle. The siblings learn more about themselves and their Vietnamese heritage as they use the power to stand up for what is right.

The Secret of the Jade Bangleis for ages 9 to 12.

Linda Trinh is a Winnipeg author of Vietnamese heritage.The Nguyen Kids is her first children's book series.

Clayton Nguyen is a Vietnamese artist born in Ottawa and currently based in Toronto.

LISTEN |Linda Trinh writes the books she wishes she had when she was young:

Phoenix Gets Greaterby Marty Wilson-Trudeau, illustrated by Megan Kyak-Monteith, with Phoenix Wilson

Phoenix Gets Greateris a tale of love and acceptance. Phoenix is an Anishinaabe child who loves to dance ballet and play with his dolls.When Phoenixis bullied at school and struggles with feeling different, his family helps him better understand his two-spirit identity and that he is always loved.

Phoenix Gets Greateris for ages 3 to 5.

• Mother and son write book about self-acceptance as a two-spirit person

Marty Wilson-Trudeauis an Anishinaabe Kwe writer originally from M'Chigeeng, Ont. She is a drama teacher at St. Charles College in Sudbury, Ont.

Megan Kyak-Monteithis an Inuk illustrator and painter. She currently lives and works inHalifax.

Phoenix Wilsonis anAnishinaabe actor and dancer. He can be seen onscreen inLongmire,LetterkennyandWild Indian.

LISTEN | Why Phoenix Wilson and Marty Wilson-Trudeau wrote a book together: