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 Cherished it's Kikelomo's first 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 Cherished is for ages 4-8.
Onome Ako is a writer and the CEO of Action Against Hunger Canada. In 2021, Ako received the Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award and more recently she received the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award for her impact in social change. Ako was born in Nigeria and lives in Toronto.
Ken Daley is an illustrator from Cambridge, Ont. His previous books include Joseph'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 in Class Trip, they decide to play a prank on their class when they notice that the biggest egg in the museum has hatched.
Class Trip is for ages 3 to 8.
Robert Munsch is one of Canada's iconic storytellers, and has published over 80 books for children. Some of his titles include Love You Forever, Mortimer, The Paper Bag Princess and A 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 include Mortimer, The Paper Bag Princess and 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 Fairy is for ages 3 to 6.
Lana Button is a children's writer and educator based in Burlington, Ont. Her other books include Willow Finds a Way which was shortlisted for the Blue Spruce Award and Percy's Perfect Friend.
Peggy Collins is a children's author and illustrator of over 35 books including Hungry for Math and In 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 Day is 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.
Today is Orange Shirt Day is 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. She won the YA/adult category of the 2021/2022 First Nation Communities Read Awards for her book Beyond the Orange Shirt Story.
Natassia Davies is an artist, graphic designer and illustrator of Coast Salish ancestry. She has illustrated several books for children, including Little Wolf, written by Teoni Spathelfer, and White 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 the dandelion and 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 Weedflower is for ages 4-8.
Elizabeth Davaze is a writer, photographer and former news journalist from Kincardine, Ont. The Weedflower is her debut picture book.
Marianne Ferrer is an illustrator originally from Venezuela and now living in Montreal. Previous children's books that Ferrer illustrated include Wake Up, Little Pin!, 111 Trees, Mel and Mo's Marvelous Balancing Act and Carmen and the House That Gaudí Built.
Alina in a Pinch by Shenaaz Nanji
In the early chapter book, Alina in a Pinch, Alina and 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's Afro-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 Pinch is for ages 6-8.
Shenaaz G. Nanji is a writer who has published over 12 books for children. Alina in a Pinch was a finalist for the Silver Birch Express Award 2023. Her latest book is Alina in the Deep. Her book Child of Dandelions was 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 novel Asking 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 Friend is a story of queer joy and the messy but beautiful parts of friendship.
Asking for a Friend is for ages 8-12.
Ronnie Riley is a middle-grade writer based in Toronto. Their first book was Jude Saves the World.
The New Girl by Cassandra Calin
Inspired by artist Cassandra Calin's own immigration story, The New Girl is 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.
The New Girl is 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 Girl is her debut graphic novel. CBC Books named Calin a writer to watch in 2024.
Mortified by Kristy Jackson, illustrated by Rhael McGregor
Mortified is 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 makes Belinda think she must be cursed. Belinda is determined to face her anxiety … and break the curse!
Mortified is 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. Mortified is her debut novel.
Rhael McGregor is a Métis 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 Al follows 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 Al is 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 Al is his first book.
Eric Walters is one of Canada's most prolific writers for young people. He's penned over 100 books, including Bear in the Family, The Power of Three and Run. His 2006 novel We All Fall Down came in at #88 on the list of the bestselling 150 Canadian books of the past 10 years. Walters won the 2020 Governor General's Literary Prize for young people's literature — text for The King of Jam Sandwiches.
The Kodiaks by David A. Robertson
The Kodiaks follows 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 Kodiaks is for ages 9 to 12.
David A. Robertson is a writer and graphic novelist based in Winnipeg. Previous books in Roberson's Misewa Saga series include The Barren Grounds, The Great Bear and The Stone Child. Other books by Robertson include the graphic novels Will I See? and Sugar Falls, YA book Strangers, the memoir Black Water and the Governor General's Literary Award-winning picture books called When We Were Alone and On the Trapline, both illustrated by Cree-Métis artist Julie Flett.
With Love, Miss Americanah by Jane Igharo
With Love, Miss Americanah is 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 had set for her and begins to chart her own path.
With Love, Miss Americanah is 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 include Ties That Tether and Where We End & Begin.
Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle
Curious Tides is 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 the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics. After being the only 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 drownings and the secret society that she believes her classmates were involved in.
Curious Tides is for ages 14 and up.
Pascale Lacelle is a French Canadian author from Ottawa. She has a bachelor's degree in French literature. Curious Tides is her first novel.
Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada
Skater Boy follows 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 of The 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 Boy is 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 Boy is his debut novel.
LISTEN | Anthony Nerada on North by Northwest with Margaret Gallagher:
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh
Something More is 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.
Something More is for ages 12 and up.
Jackie Khalilieh is a Palestinian-Canadian writer who lives just outside of Toronto. Something More is Khalilieh's debut YA novel.