Staff Reviews

Staff Reviews

Kids / YA Review July 2026

Finding My Spark by Isabelle Jameson

Alex, the protagonist of this picture book, knows he is a boy. He can’t bring himself to say – out loud – the words in his head. His feelings begin his story – worried, afraid, unhappy. The illustrations convey these very well.

Eventually, Alex writes a letter to his mom. She helps him to draw a picture to show his family, and then he tells his class. He wants people to use he/him pronouns. He wants to be called Alex.

His feelings change - relieved, brave, happy. He had the feelings before he had the words. A picture helps him tell his truth.

I remember an altercation with another child – Marty - when I was small. Grown-up interventions ensued. “What happened” was explained by others. I thought, “That’s not right.” It was so obvious in my head - but I didn’t have the words to clarify the facts or my feelings – also I was crying. Feeling powerless to communicate a correction, is what I remember most. (If I met Marty today, I’d explain the whole thing!)

All kids have felt worried or afraid or unhappy. All kids would rather feel relieved or brave or happy. I think this picture book will support many kids to feel these emotions themselves and/or have empathy for others. It might even help them to find words about a specific truth in their own lives. We hope there is room for this Canadian book in your library.

Picture Book pr8383099

 

 

Adult Review July 2026

The Plunge: Maverick Swimmers, an Unlikely Quest, and the Transformative Power of Cold Water by Chris Ballard

A look at cold water swimming, from solo and community quick dippers to events organized by the nascent International Ice Swimming Association, held around the world.

As with “Born to Run,” this is very much a character study of fascinating outliers and eccentrics, along with those dealing with trauma, from the famous (Lynne Cox, Wim Hoff), prize winning (a US Olympic swim team member) and everyday (a CDN getting over the loss of his wife). It also, much like James Nestor’s “Breath” is filled with very readable popular science in greater depth with historical and current research. I haven’t had a book more fun to read than this, year to date.

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Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon

A satirical noir in the form of a 1930s private eye thriller that looks at the emerging threats of fascism and new technologies, this is the Great American cheese novel you didn’t know you needed.

Adult Fiction pr8096175

  

 

 

 

Details
Category: Helen

Our Little Secret by Edward Kay & Mikhael Klassen-Kay

This book grabs the reader by the throat. It opens with a textbook case example of "in medias res". Truly, the opening sentences are among the best I’ve ever read, for any age level, ever.

Our Little Secret reveals said secret in the final words of the book – BANG! I honestly, did not see it coming. I believe it’s the reason the book was written, in the first place.

Mind you, please don’t just read the last page. Please treat yourself to the whole thing. Why? We have a fantastic beginning and a extraordinary close. In between, there is a mystery which, full disclosure, I did unravel, but I am very proud of myself about that. The story is relentless in expanding mystery conventions. Like the rule for improv theatre, the plot constantly says, “Yes, and…” More than a whodunnit – although it is that – it is also an intriguing “whydunnit”.

So, to review we have… a great opener, great final curtain, great plot. The protagonists are also remarkable, not the least because there are three of them - well developed, flawed, presented in first person. The interactions of Chloe, Jordan and Nick deepen the mysteries, suspense, and characterization building in the other two. Books told from several points of view sometimes require the reader to page back, “who is this again? Who’s talking?” Not here. Their voices are distinct. Also, I grew to really care about each of them, and was terrified for most of the book, for all their sakes.

Other boxes this book checks, besides what we’ve explored so far; there is a neurodivergent protagonist, a trans protagonist, and a BIPOC protagonist. The timing of the transition of the protagonist is critical to plot development, in several ways. Intricate framing of the plot and characters build beautifully. I’m running out of adjectives! In short, one of the best books I’ve read, for any age, ever. In many ways it is a peerless book. Oh, and, one more plus… it is Canadian.

Young Adult Fiction pr8324219

Details
Category: Helen

The Lion's Run by Sara Pennypacker

If you're like me and think, “surely there isn’t anything else to say or learn about World War II?!,” someone like Sara Pennypacker finds something new. In The Lion's Run, I learned more about the Nazi’s, what was taken from people in France, about the Resistance, than I could have imagined.

In any book about WWII, characters are inevitably in grave danger. In grown-up books, 90% of the characters you love die. Despite taking place in occupied France (spoiler alert), even though it might appear that characters are going to get caught and killed... no one is. Only one kitten dies out of a whole litter (so bad luck for said kitten), but that’s a pretty sunny outcome considering. An orphaned, under-estimated boy; his resistance organizer and adoptive mother; a rich, enlightened courageous girl; her hidden horse, all the hidden kittens (except that one); the pregnant single mother; her stolen baby... everyone lives and/or escapes.

And our protagonist is critical to each of those plot points. It’s nice when an author empowers a child in such a convincing way. Young patrons learn that kids can change the world.

Middle Grade Fiction pr8095781

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