My Holiday Reading Picks for 2021!

I have loads of great gift recommendations here… and what’s better than the gift of reading. Thanks to Different Drummer Books in Burlington, Second Story Press and Orca Book Publishers for providing these titles.

Let’s start with Young Adult: My first grouping is all about stories of survival, taking us from the Ice Age to struggles on a Space Station and on to a youth at risk trapped in an unimaginable situation…check out… Sisters of the Wolf-Patricia Miller Schroeder, Aetherbound-E.K. Johnston, Blood Donor-Karen Bass (An Orca Soundings book, ultra-readable, fast-paced, with short chapters)

My next bunch goes from a girl trying to unravel the mysteries of her past, to the literary scavenger hunt of a non-binary teen and on to a story of love, friendship and community support…for the teen who enjoys contemporary fiction…we have… Unravel-Sharon Jennings, The Fabulous Zed Watson-Basil&Kevin Sylvester, When You Get the Chance-Tom Ryan & Robin Stevenson

Up next, for our Middle Grade readers, these two selections are more on the cusp of YA. First up, all about a world ruled by fear of witches and deadly secrets… check out, Escape to Witch City-E. Latimer,

and a more poignant read that takes an unflinching look at the more troubling aspects of history with compassion, we have Broken Strings-Eric Walters, Kathy Kacer

On to more Middle Grade reads, these are my non-fiction selections, There is the thoughtful and meditative, Treaty Words- Aimee Craft. A first look at family heritage in See Where We Come From-Scot Ritchie,

and a book about the women who became Canada’s first ministers…Govern like a Girl- Kate Graham

Picture Books…for our youngest readers…in this group, it’s all about the snow, the great text and amazing pictures! What could be more fun! Here is Song for the Snow- Jon-Erik Lappano, Snow Song-AK Riley, On the Line-Kari-Lynn Winters

For some traditional Christmas and holiday reads, check out Merry Christmas Anne-Kallie George. It's a tale of belonging, inspired by our beloved Anne of Green Gables. Next, filled with colorful illustrations we have the story of being in a new family in a new country in Malaika’s Winter Carnival-Nadia L. Hohn

The following are all about promoting inner peace and learning how to deal with big feelings. We have mindfulness through breath awareness, I am a Peaceful Goldfish-Shoshana Chaim. We learn beginner yoga in… When I Feel-Kathy Beliveau

My last group of selections are all about acceptance and learning and how to appreciate the diversity in nature. We All Play-Julie Flett, Painted Fences-Sarah Cassidy, A Kid is a Kid is a Kid-Sarah O’Leary