What an powerful graphic novel. I hadn't heard much about about this book when I saw it on a "best of" list a while back so I decided to check it out. While some might find this book crude, it's an honest portrayal of a teen boy trying to figure out who he is, despite being told by many that who he might be is wrong. Fighting his inner feelings and the intolerance of others, Aiden is at summer camp and desperately seeking clarity on who he is. Confronted with homophobia, intolerance and regular bullying from fellow campers he begins to understand who he is and feel acceptance from the people who matter in his life.

Oh, my heart! Another amazing book by @alan.gratz. I have read all of his books over the past few years and this one is another homerun. Devastatingly sad, this is an incredible story about two lives impacted significantly by 9/11 years apart. Storytelling at its finest. Certainly one of my best reads of the year and a favourite with my students.

It’s 1983 and Vanessa Williams has been crowned Miss America. It’s an historical night because she is the first African-American woman to win this title. This night changes young, African-American, Vanessa Martin’s life forever. She now believes that anything is possible. When her school announces they are launching their first pageant she hesitantly decides to join the competition. Filled with hope, this book also shares an honest portrayal of the challenges and heartbreak that young Vanessa faces.

I had never heard about this story and am appreciative that this book opened my eyes to the tragedy of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Beautifully written in verse, this story beings alive the lives of the people impacted by this tragic event.

There is so much to unpack in this book. Set in Romania in the late 1980s, we follow the life of 17yr-old Cristian and his family under tyrannical control of Nicolae Ceausescu. The horrors they live and daily struggles they face are unlike anything most of us have ever experienced. I was a kid in the 80s and knew nothing of this moment in history, so I learned so much reading it. This book is brilliantly written and is one of the best books I have ever read. A must read for everyone!

A powerful story of love and seeking acceptance in an a time of fear and intolerance. Set in 1989 in NYC during the height of the AIDS crisis in America, this is the story of high schoolers Art, Judy and Reza. Art is proudly gay and bold in his life despite parents who shun him. Art's best friend, Judy, is his biggest supporter and closest ally. She loves bold fashion, her family and,of course, her best friend. Reza has recently moved to NYC from Iran, via time Toronto. He has known for a long time that he is gay but doesn't have the courage to admit it to anyone. Art, Reza and Judy become quick friends but things become complicated when both Judy and Art fall for this new boy. Told with brutal honesty and love, this book is an important reminder of this time in history, and that love truly is love.

Set in Louisiana in the early 1800s, this is the story of the black slaves who worked in the area and the endless work they had to do each day. Come Sunday afternoon though they would all congregate in Congo Square in New Orleans to dance and sing and be together. This was their small moment of joy each week. Beautiful illustrations and rhyming language support this important and vibrant story.

Such an important and powerful story!This is the story of an Umpqua Indigenous family in the USA in the 1950s and their treatment by the government. Even though this is the story of an American tribe and their experience when the government terminated their tribe, Canadians can learn a lot from this too as our history with Indigenous people here is Canada is full of similar stories. **This could easily be read by someone grades 4-5+ because of the reading level, however, some of the content and racist language would require some historical background to understand the context of some of the events and language.

Beautiful character and beautiful story. Louisiana's spunky personality and attitude about about life sticks with me after reading this book.