Canada
(English)
46
Kositsky, Lynne (text)
Lightburn, Ron /
Matthews, Sharon (illus.)
Rachel : a mighty big imagining
Toronto, Ontario [et al.] : Penguin Books, 2001. - XI, 64 p
(Our Canadian girl) (Juvenile fiction)
ISBN 0-14-100252-2
Nova Scotia/1783 - Slavery - Emancipation - Gender role
The story of ten-year-old Rachel is one of four in a new series of
Canadian historical fiction. Aimed at young girls, the series features strong
heroines in various historical settings. Black-and-white-illustrations, a
historical map of Canada, and a timeline add to the retro-Victorian make-up.
Rachel has fled slavery and come to Nova Scotia to be free. As she experiences
poverty and prejudice, her family's love and an Indian girl's friendship, she
understands that freedom exists above all in the mind. Kositsky draws a
compelling portrait of one of the lesser-known chapters of Canadian history
that will inspire girls to read on. They will find related information and
activities at the supporting website www.ourcanadiangirl.ca. (8+)
47
Ruurs, Margriet (text)
Bonder, Dianna (illus.)
A pacific alphabet
Vancouver [et al.] : Whitecap Books, 2001. - [36] p
ISBN 1-55285-264-4
Pacific coast
In recent years, many Canadian children's books have explored their
country's mountains, prairies, and northern regions from A to Z. This quirky
picture ABC-book takes you on a rollicking journey along the Pacific coast.
Ruurs' alliteration-packed verses overflow with the rich fauna and flaura
while Bonder's bright, capricious pictures brim with deliciously absurd
imagination and humour. Odd, delightfully grotesque characters populate the
pages. Children will rejoice at the rich sounds of the verse and love to
plunge into the pages to identify many hidden objects that start with each
letter. (6+)
48
Sheppard, Mary C.
Seven for a secret
Toronto, Ontario [et al.] : Douglas & McIntyre, 2001. - 189 p
(A Groundwood book)
ISBN 0-88899-437-0 ; 0-88899-438-9
Coming of age - Gender role
Women's lives in Cook's Cave, Newfoundland, long followed the same
course: school until age 14, pregnancy, marriage to a fisherman, children,
housework, trouble with a drinking husband or loss of a beloved husband in a
storm. In 1960, things are changing: Melinda, Rebecca and Kate, cousins and
best friends, are promising and very different young women. That summer they
have to make decisions which will determine their futures somewhere between
tradition and emancipation. Melinda's authentic, saucy voice lends this
first-person narrative freshness and gives a vivid portrait of three
Newfoundland-generations. (14+)
Special
Mention
49
Slade, Arthur
Dust
Toronto, Ontario : HarperCollins, 2001. - 168 p
(Young adult fiction)
ISBN 0-00-648593-6
Coming of age - Imagination - The Evil - Reality/Fantasy
»You are on the cusp […] between boy and man, the dreaming and the
reality«. That's what Abram Harsich, an uncanny stranger who mesmerises a
little Saskatchewan prairie town, explains to Robert. The eleven-year-old
still possesses the deep intuitive understanding of a child which allows him
to unravel the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of his little brother.
But he equally has the strength to confront Harsich, who steals children to
collect their »dust« - their souls. In this intellectually and emotionally
engaging novel, Slade masterfully explores this realm of transition in which
the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. He draws on elements from
horror tales and science fiction, fantasy and coming-of-age stories.
Action-packed and yet full of reflexion, Slade's writing brims with dazzling
imagery and literary references ranging from the Bible to science fiction.
This is a thrilling page-turner of high literary quality. (12+) (Governor General's Award; 2001)
50
Swanson, Diane (text)
Clark, Warren (illus.)
Nibbling on Einstein's brain : the good, the bad & the bogus in science
Toronto [et al.] : Annick Press, 2001. - 104 p
ISBN 1-55037-686-1 ; 1-55037-687-x
Science - Fraud in science - Scientific literacy
Science determines many choices we make and the way we understand the
world. However, not everything that looks like science is reliable. It is
difficult to distinguish between sound science that is based on proper
research and phony science that is false or misleading. That is why this book
advocating scientific literacy is particularly welcome. It doesn't give
answers but shows what questions to ask. It doesn't accumulate facts but
demonstrates how to evaluate them. It's a guide to critical thinking, teaching
awareness of media and mind traps. Swanson's accessible writing, Clark's zany
illustrations and the effective layout make this book - complete with
assignments, index, glossary, and references - an enjoyable interactive read.
(12+)
51
Toten, Teresa
The game
Calgary, Alberta : Red Deer Press, 2001. - 208 p
ISBN 0-88995-232-9
Emotional trauma - Guilt – Friendship
Fragmented memories trouble Dani's mind as she regains consciousness in
Riverwood Psychiatric Clinic. Distant ones of her loving mother, haunting ones
of her father, and powerful ones of the »Game« she and her sister Kelly used
to play - a game of Good against Evil which holds the key to her emotional
trauma. With the help of Doctor Thurber and new friends, Dani can finally
confront it. Toten effectively explores various narrative techniques to convey
the psychological complexity of guilt, angst, craving for love and acceptance:
nonlinear unfolding of the plot, shifting points-of-view, inclusion of letters
and interviews. In short: a stirring, well-crafted novel. (16+)
(Governor General's Award; 2001, Finalist)
52
Watt, Mélanie (text/illus.)
Leon the chameleon
Toronto, ON [et al.] : Kids Can Press, 2001. - [32] p
ISBN 1-55074-867-x
Difference - Colour – Loneliness
Leon the chameleon is different from all the other chameleons. On a green
leaf, he turns red, on yellow sand, he turns purple, and in the blue pond, he
turns orange. No wonder Leon feels lonely! Apart from illustrating the
principles of complementary colours in a strikingly original way (the book
started off as a university project on colour theory), Leon himself learns an
important lesson: What makes him different is also what makes him special.
Watt's vibrant acrylic and black ink illustrations perfectly capture Leon's
moods and strongly bring the message of acceptance and self-confidence across.
(4+) <>