Books let imagination take flight
LARK TAKES A BOW By Natasha Deen, Illustrated by Marcus Cutler
(Orca Book Publishers)
This book is the third in the Lark Orca Echoes beginner chapter series. In this story, Lark and her brother Connor must play detective and find out who is pranking their production of Alice in Wonderland. When they follow the clues and find out it is a friend, they have to decide what is best for everyone. With cute illustrations, children aged six to eight will enjoy this funny mystery.
SWEEP By Jonathan Auxier (Penguin Random House)
Nan Sparrow, a chimney sweep, learned everything from her father. After he disappears, she struggles to survive in a profession filled with dangerous people. When she is almost burned alive, she finds herself rescued by a mysterious golem made of ash. This unique story full of suspense will appeal to readers aged eight to 12 who love the supernatural. It just won the Governor General’s Literary Award in the category of Young People’s Literature – Text.
FAKE BLOOD By Whitney Gardner (Simon & Schuster)
This is a not-so-scary, funny novel about vampires, school friends and crushes. When AJ starts the new school year, he has trouble fitting in with his old friends. Paired up with the girl he likes for a project on Transylvania, he realizes the only way she will notice him is if he is a vampire. However, things take a hilarious turn when she reveals she is a slayer. This graphic fiction will appeal to reluctant readers and anyone who likes a good laugh.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD By Harper Lee Illustrated and adapted by Fred Fordham (HarperCollins Canada)
Harper Lee’s classic tale is brilliantly transformed in graphic novel style to be reread by longtime fans. This book will also invite new readers to delve into a story that combines prejudice and injustice together with compassion and kindness. The detailed illustrations create another look into the plight of Tom Robinson, a Black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman. An insightful novel for mature readers aged 12 to adult.