Ian has been going to Key West every summer for years, helping his Uncle Gord at his dive shop and spending as much time as he can underwater. When he's not diving, he's admiring Sherri, the girl who works at the dive shop. A series of accidents leads Ian to believe that his uncle is in grave danger, but the truth is more complicated and terrifying than he could ever have imagined. Any student interested in diving will enjoy this book but it is also ideal for struggling readers.

Thomas and Denyse have a lot in common. They're both good kids. He's in grade 8 and she's in grade 7. They play on the school basketball teams, play rep basketball, do well in school, have lots of friends and great families. He likes her and she likes him, so dating each other shouldn't be a problem should it? For some people it is when he's white and she's black. Some people start making racist remarks when they go out, and their parents warn them of the hardships ahead. They can't understand what the big deal is, but will the pressure of this relationship break them apart?

In this follow-up to The Proof That Ghosts Exist Molly and Adam take to the road as they attempt to outwit a very nasty spirit. Along the way, they'll need to rely on a few kindly ghosts, as well as a Reggie Crankshaft look-alike who knows more than he should about their family history. The Curse of the Evening Eye is another rip-roaring ghost story complete with chills, thrills, mysteries and laughs.

A mysterious white horse, a quirky parrot, a haunted house, an ancient curse, something frightening in the attic ... A summer holiday turns into a nightmare when the Mallory family rents a shabby cottage in a remote corner of Ontario's Rideau Lakes. Chip Mallory and his sixteen-year-old sister Lee are persuaded to go along on "one last family vacation" with their parents before they get caught up in their own lives again. But when a great storm comes up, and the family moves to an island in the lake, all their technology can't save them from an encounter with an ancient curse. Chip and Lee are drawn into a complex web of past and present.

Melanie Tamaki is an outsider. Unpopular and impoverished, she is the only child of a loving but neglectful mother. She barely copes with surviving school and life. But everything changes on the day she returns home to find her mother is missing, lured back to Half World by a vile creature calling himself Mr. Glueskin. Soon Melanie embarks on an epic and darkly fantastical journey to Half World to save her mother. What she does not yet realize is that the state of the universe is at stake... This award-winning author's novel is an adventurous, genre-bending fantasy of shape-shifting characters, tortured half lives, and redemption. Totally entertaining.

Twelve-year-old Lee Mets wants to be a writer, even though her mother tells her that good girls want to be either teachers or nurses. Growing up in the changing days of the 1960s, Lee secretly wishes that she were an orphan like her hero, Anne Shirley. When Cassandra, a real live orphan, moves in across the street, Lee is thrilled. As Lee and Cassandra's friendship grows, Lee comes to realize that being an orphan is not as romantic as she had imagined.

Starred review by Deirdre Baker. Quill and Quire, April, 2009 "This short, sharp story sets the bar high for its followers: it's subtle, wise, and energetic, an honest picture of childhood perceptions and the sort of nuanced fortitude it takes simply to mature ... Jennings' novel has numerous strengths: Lee's strong, intelligent narrative voice, simultaneously direct and multilayered in meaning; a period setting in the 1960s that's convincing without drawing attention to itself; and, most notably, a main character whose innocence, sturdy perceptions, and thirst for knowledge ring true to childhood experience."

Starred reviews for Quill and Quire indicate books of exceptional merit.

Mealworms are small creatures that live in dark secret places. Jeremy is a bit like that when he leaves his home in rural Nova Scotia and moves to Toronto with his mother. In his new school he finds it difficult to endure his science partner and troubled classmate, Aaron. Jeremy is also burdened by the secret he carries about the motorcycle accident that injured him and killed his father. Blending humour and realism, this novel shows the value of doing the right thing both for ourselves and others.

Reviewed by Karen Rankin. CM: Canadian Review of Materials, February, 2009 Highly Recommended. "Anna Kerz's first novel is a finely crafted blend of humour, drama, and suspense. The measured and compelling revelation of Jeremy's dark secret is well balanced by scenes from his science and gym classes as well as the development of his relationship with Milly. The plot has some nice, realistic surprises and a satisfying as well as uplifting conclusion."

Boney, Itchy and Squeak are the Odd Fellows and are the best of friends. They hang out in their tree house in Boney's backyard, where five lookout posts and three escape hatches allow them to keep an eye on (and get away from) their mortal enemy: bully Larry Harry. But after getting pelted with eggs, pummelled in gym class and sabotaged every year at their school's Invention Convention, the Odds have had enough. They're going to put an end to Larry's reign of terror. This hilarious story of friendship and comeuppance perfectly captures the childhood spirit of secret plans and adventures while showing that being different isn't such a bad thing.

Did Jessica murder one of her playmates, a troubled boy named Charlie when she was twelve years old? A recurring dream forces her to ask that question. Disturbed by the vision and needing to clear her conscience, Jessica returns to her hometown and the site of the possible crime. There she catches up with her longtime best friend who confirms that Charlie did in fact go missing the week that Jessica's family relocated to Australia. But a memory-erasing bout of meningitis at the time of the incident means Jessica doesn't recall the questioning police officers, the extensive ground search, or being the last person to see Charlie alive. Experienced YA writer Kristin Butcher chronicles a mystery that has the reader piecing together the evidence alongside Jessica and Jilly. Readers will be caught up by the minute-to-minute action of these furtive, accidental detectives.

Robyn's done her best to get over Nick, so when Beej shows up and says he needs her help, Robyn refuses, at first. But hoping for some clue as to why he left her, Robyn can't help herself. It turns out Nick's been arrested and the evidence is stacked against him. Robyn doesn't believe that Nick would ever steal from a friend, but she realizes that there's a lot about him she doesn't know or understand. As she decides to investigate, she puts herself in grave danger ... Another well-crafted novel in this excellent, popular series.

Frankie Uccello seems like just another fourteen-year-old boy - Ace of Average, King of Common, Master of Middle. Everything he does has a tendency to turn out average. When Frankie discovers something ominous about his dreams - that he can dream the future, especially when something bad is about to happen - he realizes that he might be talented, after all. But seeing the future was only cool in movies and TV. In real life, you're just a whacko. This story of courage and character, with a touch of the paranormal thrown in, makes for an intense and exciting read.

Sailing the Island waters, the Lost Souls, led by the daring young captain Scarlet McCray, offer haven and adventure to children in need. Legend has it there's a treasure in the Islands. Everyone's after it, including Jem Fitzgerald and his explorer uncle, Finn. Only Uncle Finn holds the map to the treasure and he's been kidnapped by pirates. Difficult to do justice to in a few sentences, this is a classic adventure novel complete with heroes and heroines who must fight villains and overcome danger as they accomplish a crucial mission. It is fast-paced with plenty of action and appealing characters. Heaped with humour, this is a rollicking story that boys and girls will love for its themes of loyalty, friendship and confidence--and because it's just plain fun.

Reviewed by Todd Kyle. CM: Canadian Review of Materials, February, 2009 Highly Recommended. "First-time novelist Delaney reaches into some of the most classic themes and adventures to create a perfect and exciting parable for modern times ... a book that combines classic themes and appealing adventure in the most seamless way possible."

Salvador "Slam" Amaro thinks being the assistant coach of the Brookfield High School girls' basketball team will be an easy gig. But Slam's job suddenly gets a lot harder when the girls' coach and her daughter, the star point-guard, vanish after being threatened. Getting to the bottom of their disappearance puts Slam in confrontation with a mysterious stalker. But that's not his only problem. With the girls facing playoff elimination, Slam has to come up with some new coaching strategies while he battles some tough competitors for a place on the Provincial squad.

For as long as Paige Morrow can remember, the tree fort in the giant oak near her cottage has been her sanctuary. Now everything is changing. It's the summer of 1971, and she and her little brother, Toby, have been at their cottage with their mother since school let out. But this year, Paige feels more alone than ever. Her father has stopped coming up from the city on weekends, while her mother buries herself in whiskey and writing. Page becomes even more concerned when the farmer who owns the property hires a creepy arborist -- a "tree doctor." When Paige befriends the arborist's troubled teenage daughter, Janine, and her group of rowdy locals, she is pulled into a maze of dark secrets and shocking truths that leads to a life-and-death confrontation.

Nadia is playing for her local soccer team, and they have made it all the way to the national tournament - against some very determined opposition. Unfortunately, Nadia's challenges don't just come from her opponents but from her teammates as well. After their coach is injured in a suspicious accident and the threats against the team mount, it is up to Nadia and her younger brother Devin to pull the team together and take a run at the championship. This title will engage both reluctant readers and those who love a good graphic adventure.

Something sinister happened to Mackenzie's twin sister Breanne the last time the two girls were in Ireland. Now they're back and the winter solstice is approaching. Breanne scoffs at their elderly relatives' tales of fair folk and banshees and the thin barrier between two worlds, but Mackenzie remembers what happened to Breanne five years before - at the summer solstice. Mackenzie is convinced the Otherworld is real, but is it a place of enchantment or enslavement for humans? This well-crafted and fast-paced novel is fantasy fiction at its best.

Reviewed by Mary Thomas. CM: Canadian Review of Materials, February, 2009 Highly Recommended. "The Solstice Cup is a thoroughly satisfying tale where all the protagonists' actions are true to their character and everyone works through difficulties in a completely believable--if fantastical--way ... There is a nice mix of mythological elements here ... It's a great story!"

There's something mysterious about Grace-Mae's arrival in Cook's Cove. She wasn't expected to arrive so early and without her mother, and there's a strange reporter who's been roaming around town asking questions about her, too. But Violet, Grace-Mae's cousin, doesn't have time to unravel the mystery. She's got final exams, her sister's wedding, and a garden party to prepare for. This is sure to be a summer she'll never forget. This book is a companion to One for Sorrow (Tales from Cook's Cove.)

Spencer loves his job at the local racing stable, but when he becomes convinced that someone is drugging the racehorse Lord of the Flies, no one believes him. In an effort to find out who is behind a dangerous race-fixing scheme, he takes on some of the most unsavory members of the track community. By refusing to turn a blind eye, Spencer risks losing those he cares most about.

Reviewed by Elaine Fuhr. CM: Canadian Review of Materials, March, 2009 Highly Recommended. "Author Nikki Tate has written an entertaining story about life behind the scenes at the race track, seen through the eyes of a teenage boy who is passionate about the beautiful creatures that his dad so loved. Venom is a story of intrigue, but it is also a realistic look at teen life including emotions, trials and troubles of the typical youth. Young people will enjoy this novel because they will be able to relate to Spencer's experiences."

Food is scarce after a harsh winter and in order to stay alive, a large timber wolf must fight off two young male wolves and insert himself into a pack led by a strong alpha female. Together they lead the pack's two-hundred-mile journey along the Winisk River to Hudson Bay and the Severn River, pursuing the Woodland Caribou. As their struggle for survival intensifies, the wolves are threatened by human hunters, near-starvation, treacherous waters, and attacks by competing packs. Written in free verse, this bold literary work explores the Great North and the heart of its wildlife through the eyes of a determined, courageous timber wolf.

After breaking a window and not being truthful about it, a young boy, Geordie, is grounded for a year. He takes up a journal which his grandparents had given him a few days earlier and begins his year of reflection and humourous self-exploration. Through a series of poems, journal entries, word puzzles, drawings and other visual treats, he weaves a coming-of-age tale that is both entertaining and moving as well as appealing to boys.

Reviewed by Tara Williston. CM: Canadian Review of Materials, February, 2009 Highly Recommended. "While its brevity and visual appeal make The Year I Was Grounded a good choice for reluctant or struggling readers, the subject matter and language are by no means in the "light reading" category. This is capital L Literature, make no mistake! Throughout the book's many snippets and styles, it is William New's poetry, in particular, that consistently shines with the kind of sparkle that sends a happy tingle across readers' tongues while they mouth the perfectly weighted words."

This new advice guide for older children and teenagers contains useful information and practical tips for dealing with test anxiety as well as overall organizational skills and strategies for test preparation.. Written in a friendly, accessible style, it provides readers with the tools they need to help themselves identify stress and steps to cope with it. Includes pre-exam preparation; looking after your health; overcoming pre/during test panic; how to handle coursework and presentations. A very useful tool for students.

In this book, Deborah Ellis turns her attention to the most tragic victims of the Iraq war -- Iraqi children. She interviews young people, mostly refugees living in Jordan, but also a few who are trying to build new lives in North America. Using the same format as Three Wishes and Off to War, Ellis provides an historical overview and brief explanations of context, but other than that allows the children to speak for themselves, with minimal editorial comment or interference. Their stories are frank, harrowing and sometimes show surprising resilience, as the children try to survive the consequences of a war in which they played no part. A glossary, map and suggestions for further information are included.

Comic books and other forms of graphica have experienced a tremendous growth in popularity of late. This book traces the history of comics and goes on to introduce graphic novels and manga. Similar appeal to the title Skateboarding above.

Robert Munsch: writer, speaker, storyteller, father and Member of the Order of Canada and, most definitely, a true Canadian treasure. His hilarious, often poignant stories have made him one of Canada's most beloved authors. Young readers of this book may be inspired to learn that Canada's bestselling author (30 million books so far) started off in Pennsylvania and struggled in school. A solitary daydreamer, raised in a large, boisterous family, he found solace in books at an early age. Considered a slow learner by those who taught him, his creative gifts were eventually recognized by a sympathetic librarian who encouraged him to keep reading. Teacher-Librarians will enjoy reading this one as much as their students will.

Skateboarding is more than a sport; it is a passion and way of life driven by those who love to push the limits of gravity and inertia while bending the notions of social acceptability. This book addresses both the intricacies of the sport and the intangibles of its culture. Skateboard enthusiast and journalist Ryan Stutt provides outstanding advice, which ranges from how to stand on your board and how to fall without causing injuries to how to perform grinds, slides and flips. This comprehensive reference is simply the very best manual on the sport of skateboarding. There are 33 maneuvers and tricks for beginners to intermediates, all illustrated with over 350 custom color photographs. It is the essential guide for anyone looking to master the art of skateboarding and to understand its unique culture.

This book tackles those weird questions that everyone's curious about but nobody seems able to answer. What does your appendix do? What exactly are goose bumps and why do we get them? Why can some people wiggle their ears? Find the answers to these questions plus many more in this fascinating book by this award-winning science writer. A different look at the topic of the human body that will entertain and enlighten readers.

For many of Canada's first inhabitants, North America was Turtle Island - made by the Creator and not available for sale. For Canada's second wave of inhabitants, North America was up for grabs. This book describes the culture clash between Canada's first and subsequent nations that led to the land-claim disputes still being negotiated 200 years later. Told graphically, as a dialogue between a young boy and an elder, this book is a step toward understanding this important Canadian issue.