EASY

Here Comes Hortense! By Heather Hartt-Sussman

What could be more fun than having your Nana and her husband take you to a theme park? But the fun is spoiled when Nana and Bob announce that they have a big surprise: they are all going to be joined by Bob’s granddaughter, Hortense. When the fearless and fun-loving Hortense sticks like glue to Nana, it turns out to be the worst surprise ever!

FUN FACTS

Plains By Laura Platt

This new title is part of the Canadian Ecozones series which introduces readers to the country’s diverse environments. Climate, careers, plants and animals, are just some of the topics encountered here. Colourful visuals, fascinating facts, and maps make this book a very useful item for students.

Little Treasures: Endearments from Around the World By Jacqueline K. Ogburn

All over the world, people express their love for their children through endearments, such as “sweetie pie” or “peanut.” A child might be called little angel, angelito, in Spanish. Or precious, bao bei, in Chinese or my sweet little moon, mera chanda, in Hindi. Find a wealth of endearments in fourteen languages to share with your own petit chou.

JUNIOR

The Boy Project By Kami Kinard

Seventh grader Kara just had her best idea yet. She’s going to take notes on all of the boys in her grade in order to answer a simple question: How can she get a boyfriend? Soon there are secrets, lies, and an embarrassing incident in the boys’ bathroom! Still, if Kara’s research leads her to the right boy, everything may just be worth it.

Six Days By Philip Webb

Cass and Wilbur rummage through the ruins of London in search of a precious, powerful relic no one, not even their new Russian masters, has ever seen. But when they meet two strangers from a faraway place, the treasure hunt takes on a lethal urgency. If the kids don’t find the crucial object in six days, their world will come crashing to an end!

YOUNG ADULT

Fated (The Soul Seekers #1) By Alyson Noel

Strange things have been happening to Daire. Animals follow her and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Only her grandmother recognizes the true meaning of these bizarre episodes. Daire is a Soul Seeker: one who navigates the world of the living and the dead. Now, Daire must master this art quickly before shape-shifters steal her powers.

Way to Go By Tom Ryan

Danny is stressing out about his post-high school plans, and after a run-in with the cops he has to get a summer job – not what he had planned. Worst of all, he has a secret that is threatening to spill out into the open. When he meets Lisa, a dynamic girl from NYC, he starts to think things could turn out all right, just so long as reality doesn’t get in the way.

ADULT

Gold By Chris Cleave

For the London Olympics, a novel about Zoe and Kate, two best friends, both top cyclists, both vying for the one spot available for the London Games. Kate is married to Jack, also an Olympic-level cyclist, and Kate and Zoe share their coach. A great look at the sacrifices for athletes committed to elite sport. From the author of Little Bee.

Running the Rift By Naomi Benaron

Olympic gold is within the grasp of Rwandan runner Jean Patrick Nkuba, a Tutsi, despite the challenges of poverty and politics. But when the Rwandan genocide erupts Jean must run for his life, away from the country he has spent his life running for. A powerful novel with hope amidst the horror.