Title: Rebound

Author: Eric Walters

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

The book is about two high school students, David a basketball star who was recently in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down, and Sean who had fallen in with the wrong crowd and wanted to make the school basketball team. The book follows both lads as they develop a friendship and "rebound" from their respective challenges.

I liked this book as a student because I really enjoy basketball, I enjoyed the message of working hard to overcome a challenge, and it gave me perspective on a situation that I hadn't previously thought about.

I would use this book in the classroom today as it covers challenges faced by people who are paraplegic and celebrates hard work.

The book I want to read is "When the Beat was Born" by Laban Carrick Hill. I choose this book because I like jazz and the premise of dancing instead of fighting is interesting to me.

As a kid, this appealed to me because I was obsessed with Star Wars and it encouraged me to read. This book gave a more in-depth look into the world I enjoyed. I remember it because I still enjoy Star Wars (less obsessive), and this book, and other star wars media (especially the music), shaped me into who I am today.

Can you read this with a class today? It depends, while some students might be interested in Star Wars, students today might not be too fond of the age of the book and the stories they are based on. It would be encouraging to read the book and then watch the movies and look at comparisons and differences.

A book I haven’t read, but have always wanted to read is “The Fire Within” by Chris D’Lacey. This book has been on my shelf since 2005, as often as I attempted to read it and wanted to, I never did.

My name is Marie-Eve Leger, my book is a book from a series called Dear Canada, the title is "Si je meurs avant le jour", in english it translates to " If I die before I wake". It talks about a young girl who is taking care of her sister is sick from the Spanish Flu, and she is writing to a good friend. The book is based in Toronto in 1918. I first started reading this series when I was in fourth grade, and the emotional stories that were so descriptive of a part of history that you only learn briefly about in class, was truly eye-opening because the young girls were usually the same age as I was.

The second book I chose is called "Orizzonti" by Paola Formica. The book has no words written on the pages, it allows you to interpret the images, and the character to what you think the scene is depicting. I chose it as a comparison to the heavy novel that I read, to show that you can have many words or no words at all, and still have a beautiful book with a rich story.

This book appealed to me because I loved Greek mythology and because my mom would tell me stories about different Gods. So, I loved that this was an adventure book about Greek mythology. This was the first book I remember actively wanting to read, which led to me reading the rest of the series.

I would use this book in the classroom because it is still a book I love and one that I think is interesting. It’s a fun, light-hearted adventure book that also has a mini message about dyslexia. In this book, Percy is dyslexic, but it’s not a disadvantage to him (as the book progresses). In this story, it is almost like his ‘superpower,’ and I love that message about learning disabilities: that it is not a disadvantage but a superpower.

The book I've never read is Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen. I remember my friends talking about this book but I never got around to reading it.  

Book: Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Author: Roald Dahl

Description: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is comedic chapter book about a young boy who wins a ticket to a chocolate factory alongside 4 other children and company.

What appealed to me about this story was young children exploring a chocolate factory. When I read it, I hadn't yet seen the movie and the chocolate factory was open to imagination and creativity.

I would use this book in my classroom since it is a chapter book with images.

Book I have not yet read: Little House on The Prairie

Growing up, I disliked reading, but my sister read this series religiously. I also grew up watching the tv show and would like to read the book.

I really liked this book as a student because I was actively dealing with the exact same issues the main character had in grade 6, and also struggled to give either of my step parents a chance just like Violet (the main character). The book is also written by my aunt whom I never really got to meet as a child so this brought me closer to her and she actually came into my class after we did a whole project on this book.

I believe this book is really good for students as they may or may not resonate with the character, but it gives different view points of their friends/classmates that may have experienced or are experiencing the same issues and emotions that Violet is going through.

The book I would like to read is "A Wrinkle in Time" the graphic novel. I chose this book because I watched the movie (which was not great but had good potential). I am not great at staying engaged in novels, so a graphic novel intrigues me.

Explores the metaphor of a "race" to reflect on life's journey. Follows the story of a boy. Highlights asking questions, while considering the pressure of success, competition and comparison. By the end of the book, good choices, empathy and kindness are highlighted, conveying that life is not a race.

I think this book could be used in a classroom as students often think finishing first should be a priority. This text can also be used to introduce building connections and being kind to all.

A book that I Haven't read is Harry Potter. I chose this book because I feel like it is a classic story which fosters so much imagination and creativity.

This book was the first thing that came to my mind. I remember my early teachers reading this to me and I could always visualize the pictures in my head as my Mom would read it to me.

I think this would be a great book to read to younger students. It leaves them guessing what will happen next and is engaging.

A book/ series that I haven't read yet but want to is the Harry Potter series. Everyone always talks about it and I feel like i'm missing out.

Author: Dr. Seuss

Genre: Fiction

Sam-I-am likes green eggs and ham and wants other people to enjoy them too. He wants the author to enjoy them too but the author keeps rejecting trying it. Finally, the narrator tries green eggs and ham and discovers he actually likes them.

I think I liked this book as an elementary student because of its playful rhymes and colourful picture creations. It was a fun and easy book to read.

Author: Veronica Roth

Genre: Science Fiction

This book is a written in post-apocalyptic Chicago where people live in 5 separated factions (groups) based on their traits values, personality traits, and social affiliations. Each faction is responsible for a different role in the city.

I really enjoyed this book as I was very into futuristic and dystopian series. There was a lot of action and suspense and I kept wanting to reading more.

I think this book is a book that students would be very interested in and would be able to have a lot of discussions about, especially due to the divisions in the society.

A book I would like to read is Shatter Me. It is also a dystopian type book and it was a very popular book when I was in middle school.

The book that I want to read is "The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes" by Anne Mazer. I chose this book because it seems like it would be a good guide to helping kids navigate in a new grade.

A book that I have not yet read but would like to is Web Kinew's biography, Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes. I am interested in this book because when I was 18, my family discovered that we have Metis roots, and that I am approximately 1/4-1/3 Metis. Unfortunately, documents were lost or hidden and we were not able retrieve our exact percentage of Indigenous heritage. That said, I would love to inform classrooms about Indigenous studies, and I think that a book that primarily discusses accomplished Indigenous peoples is a great way to begin an informed and respectful discussion.

The book I want to read is "Where do balloons go? An Uplifting Mystery" by Jamie Lee Curtis. I loved that this book was about the journey of the little boys imagination with where he believed the balloon would go, and it allows other kids to open their imagination as well. I am excited to read about his creative journey!

Title: Le petit prince

Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Genre: Novella, fiction, Children's literature, fantasy, french

A book I have read: Le petit Prince

Plot: A young prince travels from planet to planet, meeting various characters and learning life lessons, ultimately reflecting on love, loss, and human nature.

Characters: The Little Prince, the Aviator, the Rose, and various inhabitants of different planets.

Theme: The importance of relationships, imagination, and seeing beyond the surface of things.

Appeal: The story's simplicity hides deep philosophical insights, making it memorable and impactful. I remember it for its timeless lessons about love and the human condition.

Classroom Use: Yes, I would use this book as it encourages critical thinking and emotional intelligence, important for students’ personal growth.

A book I have not read: The Giver

I chose The Giver because of its reputation as a thought-provoking dystopian novel that challenges perceptions of utopia, memory, and individuality, topics that could foster deep discussions in a classroom setting.

The unread book I chose is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman because I have read about half his works and have loved them all.

Title: Sisters 8: Annie's Adventures

Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Genre: Mystery

This book is about 8 sisters who are searching for their parents who disappeared on New Year's Eve. There are 8 books in the series and in each book a different sister discovers a power they have that will help them find their parents.

I think I liked this book as an elementary student because it isn't very long and long books intimidated me. I also like mystery books as they were the only ones that kept me interested as someone who didn't like to read.

A book I haven't read yet but would like to read is The Wild Robot. I have seen trailers for the movie on TV, but I grew up in a household where we always had to read the book before we watch the movie.

Book I would like to read = The wizard of Oz

I have always liked fairy tales, and a goal I had growing up was to read every classic fairy tail. This one I haven't gotten around to, so I was interested in reading it.

I have to go! - Robert Munsch

The book follows a little kid and his family's day to day life in the winter season. The family's life is a struggle because everyday the parents ask their child numerous times before dressing the child and before leaving the house if he needs to go pee. The child always says he does not need to go to the bathroom, and he insists he does not. However, as soon as the child gets all ready to go and all dressed in his winter attire, he tells his parents that now he has to go pee. This cycle happens over and over again in different contexts throughout the book, and the parents' frustration is never-ending.

I loved this book as an elementary student because I thought it was hilarious. I laughed reading it again and again, with the detailed illustrations, the descriptiveness of the text, and the repetitiveness of the book.

I would use this book in the classroom today, but perhaps grades a bit younger than 4th grade. It is a very silly book that will get kids laughing, loving reading, and perhaps they can relate to it.

The book I want to read is called Forever Fingerprints by Sherrie Eldridge. I chose this book because it is about adoption, which is a topic I am passionate about and I think it is an important topic for kids to learn about as well, to develop compassion and understanding about other children's home lives.

A book I never read was the Dork diaries. By Rachel Renee Russell. I remember all my friends reading it and loving it, but as a kid I never got around to reading it. But it was a comic script type of book, with lots of images, therefore I think it would be a fun read for younger kids, as it’s relatable to them and being in school.

I remember it because it was one of 10 books I read and it was fun to read. I am also thinking about Halloween, so this book came to mind. I would not use this book in a classroom because there wasn't any educational benefit and not all kids like scary books.

The mouse and the lion

I heard about this book and while I was in Italy, one of the museums had this story depicted as a painting.

Title: No Safe Harbour

Author: Julie Lawson

Genre: Historical Fiction

This book is about a young girl's day to day experiences of her life just before and throughout the Halifax explosion in 1917. It is formatted through her journal entries.

I really enjoyed this book because I felt connected to how real it was written. I liked learning about real life events in the world and it was interesting to read about them through the eyes of someone my age at the time. I also enjoyed writing and it inspired me to write about my life as she did.

Yes, I would. I think it is important to learn about historic events (especially in Canada) and it is interesting to learn about them in this way.

A book I haven't read is "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery. I chose this book because it has been a book series that I always wanted to read but never ended up reading. I think it would been something I would have (and still would) enjoy.

I think my interest in the series came from the familiar hero’s journey cycle, the fact that the illustrations were visually appealing, and that my friends were also invested in the plot, which became a talking point in our free time.

I don’t know if I would necessarily use this book in a class setting as an educational tool by any means, but it does make for a fun adventure series for students in their free time to enjoy, so having a set available might be fun.

The book I would have liked to read is The Hardy Boys Vol. 1 by Franklin W. Dixon. This book was present in almost every house I visited when visiting family growing up, and my father bought me a copy to read hoping I would enjoy it. I could never manage to get into it as I didn’t enjoy reading, especially not the mystery genre. Today I think I could give it a fair try and possibly enjoy it.

Title: Smelly Socks

Author: Robert Munsch

Genre: Children Picture Book

As a child, my sister and I's favourite books to read were those written by Robert Munsch. In the book, Tina gets a new pair of socks that she loves so much and refuses to take them off. She shows up to school with these smelly socks and her classmates take action to clean them. This is a funny and lighthearted story that children love to read. I remember this appealing to me as a child because of all the colourful illustrations, which would be suitable for a young child. I'm not sure if I would necessarily use this book in a lesson, but more of a fun read as a reward.

A book that I have not read, but would like to read is the Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier. I chose this book because it is an iconic piece of Canadian literature. The book also portrays the relationship between Canadian francophones and anglophones, which I thought could be useful when teaching Canadian history to children.

The new novel I picked is called Fatty Legs by Christy and Margaret Fenton. It's based off a true story of Margaret- a young Inuit girl who goes into a Residential School. I picked this novel because I think it's important to learn about Indigenous stories from a young age, and this seemed like an age appropriate way for middle schoolers to (hopefully) continue their education on Residential Schools. The book has illustrations as well as real photographs from Margaret's life that can hopefully help the students grasp that this is not just a story but a real historical event.

I looooooove this book, it's just so sweet and honest about the artistic experience, and imposter syndrome as a whole. It speaks to kids and adults who might be nervous to take a leap into something new or challenging under the assumption they won't succeed, and frames success as something personal, not publicly determined.

I would use this book in every classroom, people are nervous about trying new things and making mistakes, and this book can reframe perspectives and foster an environment of exploration and risk-taking.

The book I have not read is called The Misewa Chronicles and it was described to me as a YA, adventure novel akin to The Chronicles of Narnia, but set in Canada and using indigenous mythology and legends as the backdrop. I chose this book because I know very little about indigenous Canadian culture and I think this will give me good starting point to ask more questions and learn more relevant topics for my students, and my own benefit.

Title: Charlotte's Web

Author: E.B. White

Genre: Children's Literature

Charlotte's Web is a story set on a farm about a pig named Wilbur and his spider friend Charlotte who saves Wilbur's life by writing words about him in her web.

I think what I really loved about the book is the unlikely friendships that emerged throughout the story. The friendship between Charlotte and Wilbur, Wilbur and Fern, and even Templeton and Wilbur. It showed that there are no bounds to where friendships can arise, and even the most unlikely of friends can have the greatest impact on your life.

I enjoyed this book as a kid because in introduced me to a different type of book than what I was used to. This book series created a huge world over 13 books that got me to try and envision different societies and showing challenges faced by the characters.

I would use this book in a classroom as it covers the connections of different seemingly disconnected societies and how what we are “meant to be” may not be what we assumed it was by following out peers.

The book I want to read is “The Dark Prophecy” by Rick Riordan. This book was a continuation of the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series’ I enjoyed as a student and I would like to see the new story lines of this world and it’s characters.

I remember loving the friendships and the effort this book put into developing them. I always love reading stories about female friendship or sisterhood. One thing that really stood out to me is that the Black girl in the friend group was very typically girly but she was also the smartest one of the group! I loved that she didn't have to explain these parts of herself.

I would have this book on the shelf in my classroom but I wouldn't teach it. While I had great experiences with it, the reviews I've read note that a lot of the characters are very static and fit squarely into the roles assigned at the beginning of the book.

I have been meaning to read The Book Thief, I think it's a classic and it's been on my list for years.

I would almost certainly not use this book in my classroom today. As many probably know, JKR has been espousing violent anti-trans rhetoric for quite some time, I would not want to encourage buying this book or be seen as endorsing Joanne at this point. Plus, this book series lacks nuance between good and evil and represents non-white characters in problematic ways (i.e. "Kingsley Shacklebolt").

I chose: No Ordanary Day by Deborah Ellis. Chosen for what looks like a unique perspective on children and people from a part of the world I have not learned much about. Plus I like when the reader knows more than the character right off the bat, as we do when reading the synopsis.

I loved this book because of the beautifully weird and creapy art throughout. The strange organic world both scared and appealed to me.

I would use the book in a classroom today. Although the book looks huge it has really large font and many pictures that made it more accessible to me as a child (who didn't know they needed reading glasses). It is part of a series but I think the first book is great as a stand alone novel as well.

Stories for a Lost Child

This novel was part of the young adult display at the library for Indiginous fiction. I want to make more of an effort to read stories from authors with differnt backgrounds than myself. Similar to what I enjoyed about WondLa, the story includes scifi aspects, mysterious notes and humour. The chapter "Indians in Space, Episode One: No Horizons" apears a quarter of the way through the book and really stuck out to me. A silly play on classic scifi tv show titles. Another coming of age novel featuring a young female protagonist that I am excited to add to my read list.

The second book is titled Tale of a Fourth Grade Nothing, written by Judy Blume. This book has been on my bookshelf for as long as I can remember and my parents always wanted me to read it but I never did.

This book appealed to me as I could relate to it, and it was also easy to read, as the author included little drawings in it. I remember this book, as I read the first 9 books (the series is still going).

Although this book is a good read, I would not use it in the classroom today, as in the book, Greg makes a popularity list of everyone in his grade, placing himself at the bottom. This could encourage students to do the same and have a negative impact on their self-esteem.

A novel I would like to read is Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. I chose this book as it follows the challenges encountered by a student with dyslexia and how their teacher helped them gain confidence and pride.

Title: The Babysitters Club

Author: Ann. M. Martin

The Babysitters Club is a series of books about a group of four girls who start a babysitting club for their town who is struggling to find people to watch their young children. I really enjoyed these books as they focus on many different themes including friendship, illness, family and loss. These themes made the books very relatable and and I found myself becoming emotionally attached to the characters.

I would definitely use these books in my classroom today because they focus on a lot of real life issues and situations that the girls must deal with in their own lives. It also demonstrates the importance of hard work, helping out others, and good friendships.

The book that I haven’t read yet but would like to read is called From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle. This book is a memoir from a Metis man about overcoming trauma, prejudice, and addiction. I believe this book is a very important read in terms of learning more about Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous culture, their struggles, and the power of finding your roots in traumatic situations.

Book - Bone: Out From Boneville

A family of bone cousins set out an a grand journey. This is the first book (technically the second) that serves to set the stage for their adventure. The story does a great job of balancing humour and serous tones of self discovery.

I was drawn to this comic series because as a kid I didn't love reading so I found that the format was able to tell an interesting story in a genre I liked while not being overly wordy. The illustrations are also very well done which kept me engaged and wanting to learn more about the world.

I would probably have this book series in a classroom but I doubt I would use it to teach any specific lessons. It could be a bridge for students that were not very into reading like myself, but I don't think the content is particularly relevant to a classroom setting.

A book I haven't read that I want to were the Geronimo Stilton books. I enjoyed that there were so many different settings but I never had any of them as a kid. Lots of people in my elementary school read these and really enjoyed them which contributed to my interest in the series.

A girl learns to love reading and school through her teacher, Miss Honey, amid creulty from her parents and the school Headmistress, who Matilda gets revenge on through the use of her psychic powers, which develop as her relationship with Miss Honey does.

I loved this book as a child because I, like many, found it empowering to see a kid stand up to her teachers and parents. Matilda made reading cool for a lot of kids, which I think is really valuable. Because of this, I think this is still an appropriate book to use in classrooms today, because it empowers and encourages kids to look at their education as a kind of superpower. It also has a great movie adaptation, and a recent musical movie adaptation that students may enjoy.

The book I chose but have not yet read is called "Funeral Songs for Dying Girls" by Cherie Dimaline. I chose this book because of the author—a popular Indigenous writer who wrote "The Marrow Thieves", which is a popular middle school book which I really enjoy!

I would potentially use this book with a class, however, I think it would be best suited for an older group, maybe grade 7 or 8. I think some of the themes are worth discussing with students. The language may be difficult for some, but I think that breaking it down with the students would be beneficial for their overall reading comprehension.

The book I have not read yet is a book I found in the resource centre titled, 21: The Story Of Roberto Clemente. This book appealed to me because it tells the story of baseball legend Roberto Clemente and the hardships he had to deal with on and off the field as one of the first ever Latin players to play major league baseball. I believe it would be a great story to expose kids to and learn about him as a man and a player.

The book I want to read is Wonderland of Feelings because I want to learn nd understand more about kids emotions and their special needs.

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Author: J.K. Rowling

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

This book is the fourth in the infamous Harry Potter series. Harry returns for his fourth year at Hogwarts. There is a tournament between the 3 major schools of magic. 3 players are drawn from the Goblet of Fire. Harry's name is mysteriously drawn and he must compete as a fourth player.

I liked this book as a student because I specifically liked the set up of the tournament. The idea of competition is exciting and the mystery continues, only revealed at the very end. The book is also full of characters and creatures, namely the dragons, that expand the imagination.

The book I want to read is "Fortunately The Milk" by Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman is one of my favourite children's book authors. The book is about cereal, on of my favourite things to eat, and time travel. The two together would make an interesting plot.