Non-Fiction

History Smashers Titanic by Kate Messner

Students never seem to tire of learning about the Titanic, and this captivating book uncovers the truth beneath the many myths surrounding the famous ship. A great introduction to the series, which also takes a fact-finding, myth-busting approach to The Underground Railroad, Pearl Harbour, Plagues and Pandemics and more. Perfect for students who love the I Survived Series and are looking for more information about historical events.

The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures

of the Deep Written by Rachel Poliquin and Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler A wonderfully weird book about the strangest creatures in the sea. A feathery tutu dancing through the water? A tiptoeing rock wearing a wig? Not everything is as it seems in this fascinating exploration of bizarre sea animals. Each creature is introduced with intriguing art and text, and the question, “Am I the strangest thing in the sea?” Open the gatefold, and the actual creature in its habitat and a full description appear, along with the answer: No, it’s not the strangest thing in the sea That is, until the last creature, which is the strangest But what could it be? What’s cooler than bizarre things that are real? Kids will want to dive right in!

Can You Believe It?: How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts by Joyce Grant and Illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte

Everything kids need to know to tell facts from “fake news” on the internet Here’s a comprehensive guide to how real journalism is made, what “fake news” is and, most importantly, how to spot the difference It provides practical advice, thought-provoking examples, and loads of explanations, definitions and useful context Never judgmental, it encourages young people to approach what they find online with skepticism and helps them hone their critical-thinking skills to make good choices about what to believe and share

Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin

Written by Deborah Kerbel and Illustrated by Angela Poon

In 1921, Frederick Banting was a young doctor with an idea: could the mysterious secretions of the pancreas be used to treat diabetes? We now call this substance insulin, and its life-saving discovery was an impactful milestone in medical science. Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, worked together in a small lab to test the theory with street dogs. Banting formed a special bond with one of his test dogs and gave her a name: Marjorie. After Marjorie responded well to insulin treatments, the treatments went on to be used for humans with diabetes and the results were deemed practically miraculous

Sky Wolf's Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge Written

by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger

From healing to astronomy to our connection to the natural world, the lessons from Indigenous knowledge inform our learning and practices today.

How do knowledge systems get passed down over generations? Through the knowledge inherited from their Elders and ancestors, Indigenous Peoples throughout North America have observed, practiced, experimented, and interacted with plants, animals, the sky, and the waters over millennia Knowledge keepers have shared their wisdom with younger people through oral history, stories, ceremonies, and records that took many forms

Graphic Novels

Living with Viola by Rosena Fung

Livy is already having trouble fitting in as the new girl at school and then there’s Viola Viola is Livy’s anxiety brought to life, a shadowy twin that only Livy can see or hear. Livy tries to push back against Viola’s relentless judgement, but nothing seems to work until she strikes up new friendships at school. Livy hopes that Viola’s days are numbered. But when tensions arise both at home and at school, Viola rears her head stronger than ever Only when Livy learns how to ask for help and face her anxiety does she finally figure out living with Viola.

Stealing Home by J Torres and David Namisato

Sandy Saito is a happy boy who reads comic books and is obsessed with baseball especially the Asahi team, the pride of his Japanese Canadian community. But when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, his life, like that of every other North American of Japanese descent, changes forever. His family is forced to move to a remote internment camp, and his father must spend months away from them. Sandy, his mother and his brother cope as best they can with the difficulties at the camp

Over time, Sandy comes to realize that life is a lot like baseball It's about dealing with whatever is thrown at you, however you can And it's about finding your way home

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs

Can an undercover nerd become a superstar secret agent? The first book in Stuart Gibbs’s New York Times bestselling Spy School series is now a graphic novel!

Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: CIA or bust. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn’t exactly scream “secret agent” In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior CIA academy Could the CIA really want him?

Actually, no There’s been a case of mistaken identity but that doesn’t stop Ben from trying to morph into a supercool undercover agent, the kind that always gets the girl And through a series of hilarious misadventures, Ben realizes he might actually be a halfway decent spy…if he can survive all the attempts being made on his life!

Join Ben Ripley as he survives his first year at the Academy of Espionage in action-packed, full-color panels.

Junior High by Tegan and Sara

From indie-pop twin-sister duo Tegan and Sara comes a contemporary middle grade graphic novel that explores growing up, coming out, and finding yourself through music and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier's Sisters

Before Tegan and Sara took the music world by storm, the Quins were just two identical twins trying to find their place in a new home and new school From first crushes to the perils of puberty, surviving junior high is something the sisters plan to face side by side, just like they've always faced things. But growing up also means growing apart, as Tegan and Sara make different friends and take separate paths to understanding their queerness For the first time ever, they ask who one sister is without the other.

Set in the present day, this effervescent blend of fiction and autobiography, with artwork from Eisner Award–winner Tillie Walden, offers a glimpse at the two sisters before they became icons, exploring their shifting relationship, their own experiences coming out, and the first steps of their musical journey

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

New York Times-bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega and star debut artist Rose Bousamra's Frizzy is about Marlene, a young Dominican girl whose greatest enemy is the hair salon! Through her struggles and triumphs, this heartwarming and gorgeous middle-grade graphic novel shows the radical power of accepting yourself as you are, frizzy curls and all. Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up" That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable", "good hair"

But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.

Swim Team Written and Illustrated by Johnnie Christmas

Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101.

The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help

With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake. Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swim their last lap for good?

Furball: Spy Cat by Adrian Beck lt's Garfield meets James Bond in a hilarious new junior fiction series about a spy cat on a mission to save the city Furball is the world’s greatest spy! But he’d rather spend his time napping or snacking

When Furball and his spy friends, Jade and Kit, visit a waterpark on their day off, they learn Furball's greatest enemy is using the park as a secret base!

Can Furball and his friends stop the Baddies before they destroy the city? Or will Furball get distracted by the snack bar?

Podcasts

If your curious kids love to listen to podcasts on long trips, download a few episodes of these brilliant podcasts to keep them learning and growing over the summer months

Brains On! - Brains On!® is a science podcast for curious kids and adults from American Public Media Each week, a different