Titles and Descriptions - A

Acts of Courage: 17 Heroes Who Won the Cross of Valour
Adventure Stories
Adventures and Adventurers
After Hamelin
After the End: Teaching and Learning Creative Revision
Airborn. 1st ed.
Albert Einstein: A Life of Genius
The Alchemist's Daughter
Aleutian Sparrow
Alexander Graham Bell: An Inventive Life
Alien Secrets
Alma: A Novel
The Amazing International Space Station
Amazing Stories Series
Amelia Earhart Free in the Skies
American Heroes Series
Among the Barons. 1st ed.
And in the Morning
Andrei and the Snow Walker
Ann and Seamus
The Art of Inquiry: Questioning Strategies for K-6 Classrooms
Ask Me Anything!: Strange But True Answers to 99 Wacky Questions
Autumn

Acts of Courage: 17 Heroes Who Won the Cross of Valour (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the “Currently Out of Print but Still Useful Learning Resources” section.

Adventure Stories (Print-Anthology). King, Clive. Larousse Kingfisher Chambers, Inc. (ALL), 1988. 253 p. ISBN 0-7534-5718-0 ($9.95 pbk.).

This illustrated collection of short stories that are action-packed adventures of classical heroes and modern-day adventurers is sure to be popular with students. Stories by Ray Bradbury, Rosemary Sutcliff, Jill Paton Walsh, Doris Lessing, and Mark Twain will appeal to young readers. At times, the characters in the story are fighting against nature or unexpected enemies, and at other times, they fight against themselves.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context

Adventures and Adventurers (Print-Anthology). Alvermann, Donna, et al. (Heath Middle Level Literature Series). D. C. Heath & Co. (NEL), 1995. 126 p. ISBN 0-669-32104-4 ($10.95 pbk.).

This American anthology contains poetry, short stories, and excerpts of novels related to historic and modern challenges. The book includes a table of contents, suggested activities, numerous colour illustrations, a glossary of literary terms, dictionary support for difficult vocabulary, and brief biographic notes on the authors.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context; Multigenre

After Hamelin (Print-Fiction). Richardson, Bill. Annick Press (FIR), 2000. 227 p. ISBN 1-55037-629-2 ($19.95 hdc.). ISBN 1-55037-628-4 ($12.95 pbk.).

(CAN) A continuation of Robert Browning’s infamous tale of “The Pied Piper,” this fantasy is narrated through one of the children who escaped the lure of the piper’s tune. Penelope, now 101 years old, recalls awaking at the age of 11 to discover she can longer hear and that the other children have been spirited away. Bestowed with the gift of “deep dreaming,” the young girl travels to the piper’s fortress to rescue the kidnapped children. Her quest is forged with unique characters, mystical landscapes, and perilous adventures. Featuring a blend of myth and fantasy, the former CBC broadcaster’s poetic prose weaves a captivating tale of intrigue.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Imaginative and Literary Context

After the End: Teaching and Learning Creative Revision (Print-Non-Fiction). Lane, Barry. Heinemann Educational Books (PRN), 1993. 230 p. ISBN 0-435-08714-2 ($38.23 pbk.).

(WNCP) A sourcebook of practical ideas for helping Middle and Secondary Level students in the revision stage of their writing, this is an easily understood and interesting resource. Using brief examples of writing, the book discusses ways to promote the search for new meanings and possibilities throughout the entire writing process. A concluding section of the book demonstrates strategies for teaching creative revision. Included are a table of contents, an index, and a list of titles for further reading.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Teacher Reference

Airborn. 1st ed. (Print-Fiction). Oppel, Kenneth. HarperCollins Canada Ltd. (HCP), 2004. 322 p. ISBN 0-00-200537-9 ($22.99 hdc.). ISBN 0-00-639259-8 ($15.99 pbk.).

(CAN) Airborn is an adventure set in an imaginary Victorian world where airships rule the skies. Matt, a cabin boy from an elegant passenger airship, Aurora, where his late father worked, narrates the tale. Kate, a young, wealthy passenger on the Aurora is determined to prove her grandfather’s claims about fantastic, impossible flying creatures in the sky. When Kate requests Matt’s help in taking a photograph of the “cloud cat” to support her grandfather’s claims, Matt becomes involved in Kate’s quest. Exciting times ensue when pirates, shipwreck, and scary predators interfere.

This book won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature in 2004.

See also: Skybreaker, the sequel to Airborn, which is annotated elsewhere in this bibliography. Suggested Use: Grade 8; Environmental and Technological Context

Albert Einstein: A Life of Genius (Print-Non-Fiction). MacLeod, Elizabeth. (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History Series). Kids Can Press (UTP), 2003. 32 p. ISBN 1-55337-396-0 ($16.95 hdc.). ISBN 1-55337-397-9 ($7.95 pbk.).

This book has the appearance of a photo album, but the photos are complemented by text to provide information about this well-known genius. The author involves the readers by asking questions about Einstein to show what they have learned as they read. After the opening section of the book, the information about this great man follows in chronological order. Einstein’s great discoveries in physics are presented and the author provides a portrait of Einstein’s dedication to peace and his anguish over his creation of the atomic bomb. The timeline of Einstein’s life and the places to visit to learn more about this famous scientist will interest many students.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Communicative Context; Personal and Philosophical Context
Other Use: Science: Grades 6 to 9

The Alchemist's Daughter(Print-Fiction). Kernaghan, Eileen. Thistledown Press Ltd. (LPGD), 2004. 187 p. ISBN 1-894345-79-7 ($15.95 pbk.).

(SK) Sidonie Quince lives in Elizabethan England. Her father is a bumbling alchemist who conducts endless unsuccessful experiments in an effort to transmute base metals into gold. He has promised the Queen results, and Sidonie fears for his life if he fails. Sidonie has a gift for scrying – foretelling the future by gazing into a crystal. She has a vision of a ruined abbey, and so she and her friend Kit set off to Glastonbury Abbey in search of the missing ingredient that will make her father’s experiments successful. Many historical characters and events provide a backdrop for Sidonie’s adventures, including Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, Sir Philip Sidney, and the Spanish Armada. Conversations are sometimes conducted using words, expressions, and linguistic structures typical of the Elizabethan period, and so may be intriguing or challenging depending on the reader. There are descriptions of routine activities – travel and meals, for example – during Elizabethan times, and the reader gets a feel for everyday life at that time. Sidonie is a strong female character who takes the initiative to help her father and has many adventures on the way.

The Alchemist’s Daughter was nominated for a 2005 Saskatchewan Book Award.

Teachers should note that this novel is set within a context of alchemy and scrying, characteristics which may make it unsuitable for some communities.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Initiative: Gender Equity

Aleutian Sparrow (Print-Fiction). Hesse, Karen. McElderry, Margaret K. (SHU), 2003. 156 p. ISBN 0-689-86189-3 ($26.50 hdc.). ISBN 1-4169-0327-5 ($8.50 pbk.).

Written in the form of a diary told by a young girl named Vera, readers learn about the evacuation of the Aleut people from the Aleutian Islands during World War II. By focusing on a handful of fictional characters, Hesse tells of the hardships that the Aleuts endured when the Japanese occupied these islands near Alaska. The short prose poems create a compelling revelation of how the Aleutians suffered, but readers also learn about their history and culture. Included are excellent examples of poetic devices such as imagery, simile, and alliteration.

The format of prose poetry could be used for the study of contextual cueing systems.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Initiative: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Content and Perspectives

Alexander Graham Bell: An Inventive Life (Print-Non-Fiction). MacLeod, Elizabeth. (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History Series). Kids Can Press (UTP), 1999. 32 p. ISBN 1-55074-456-9 ($16.95 hdc.). ISBN 1-55074-458-5 ($7.95 pbk.).

(CAN) This biography of Alexander Graham Bell reads like a magazine. Students will be attracted to the interactive style of photos, information boxes, and quotations. MacLeod provides information about Bell’s early life, his first experiments, his invention of the telephone and the iron lung, his marriage, and his work with Helen Keller. An index, a timeline, and related websites about this famous Canadian inventor are provided.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Communicative Context; Personal and Philosophical Context

Alien Secrets (Print-Fiction). Klause, Annette Curtis. Yearling Books (ULS), 1993. 227 p. ISBN 0-440-22851-4 ($7.99 pbk.).

In this science fiction mystery, 12-year-old Puck meets an alien Shoowan passenger during a space flight. When she learns that the Shoowan is searching the space ship to recover a treasure stolen from his planet, Puck joins the search. As they work together to solve the mystery and reinstate the Shoowan’s honour, Puck and the alien learn to trust and appreciate each other. This is an easily read story of danger and intrigue suitable for science fiction fans.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Environmental and Technological Context; Imaginative and Literary Context

Alma: A Novel (Print-Fiction). Bell, William. Doubleday Canada (ULS), 2003. 148 p. ISBN 0-7704-2940-8 ($7.99 pbk.).

(CAN) After her father dies, Alma and her mother must face the difficult times that lie ahead. Alma and her mother must leave the farm and move to town. Alma finds comfort in her richly imaginative world – the books that she reads and the short story that she writes. She longs for the day when she can be a real writer like her favourite author, R. R. Hawkins. Alma’s beautiful handwriting prompts her teacher to recommend her for a job writing letters for a reclusive old lady, Miss Lily. Alma’s and Miss Lily’s mutual love of reading leads to a very strong friendship and trust. Miss Lily shares her books with Alma and encourages her to write stories.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Personal and Philosophical Context

The Amazing International Space Station (Print-Non-Fiction). Editors of YES Mag. Kids Can Press (UTP), 2003. 48 p. ISBN 1-55337-380-4 ($17.95 hdc.). ISBN 1-55337-523-8 ($9.95 pbk.).

(CAN) Written in simple language, this book provides a brief timeline of space exploration with a particular focus on life onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Many colourful photographs of astronauts, space shuttles, and the ISS, as well as hands-on activities for students to try, serve to illustrate what it is like to live and work in space. A glossary and an index are included.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Environmental and Technological Context
Other Use: Science: Grades 6 to 9
Initiative: Career Development

Amazing Stories Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title: Rebel Women: Achievements Beyond the Ordinary.

Amelia Earhart Free in the Skies (Print-Non-Fiction). Burleigh, Robert and Wylie, Bill, illus. (American Heroes Series). Harcourt, Inc. (RAI), 2003. 46 p. ISBN 0-15-216810-9 ($8.95 pbk.).

The biographical story of this female American hero is presented in a colourful graphic novel. The form is easy to follow with excellent use of textual cues in the graphic novel format and an accessible vocabulary.

This well-known pioneer of flight and famous woman aviator is an important character to include when addressing the theme of flight.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Environmental and Technological Context; Personal and Philosophical Context
Initiative: Gender Equity

American Heroes Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title: Amelia Earhart Free in the Skies.

Among the Barons. 1st ed. (Print-Fiction). Haddix, Margaret Peterson. (Shadow Children Book Series). Simon & Schuster, Inc. (SHU), 2003. 182 p. ISBN 0-689-83906-5 ($26.50 hdc.).
ISBN 0-689-83910-3 ($8.50 pbk.).

This is the fourth book in the Shadow Children Book Series. Background information in the opening chapter will bring readers up to date on the series. Luke Garner is a “shadow child,” a third child in a futuristic society that allows families only two children. Luke assumes the underground identity of Lee Grant, a member of a privileged family in society. Luke is sent to boarding school, and things are going fine until Grant’s younger brother registers at the school. Then a whole new world of adventure begins.

This book would be good to use with reluctant readers.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Personal and Philosophical Context

And in the Morning (Print-Fiction). Wilson, John. Kids Can Press (UTP), 2003. 198 p. ISBN 1-55337-400-2 ($16.95 hdc.). ISBN 1-55337-348-0 ($7.95 pbk.).

(CAN) As a young boy, Jim Hay is caught up in the hype and the glory of war. When his father enlists, Jim wants a souvenir from the war. Jim follows the headlines in local papers and records the happenings of the war from those clippings in his diary. His father is killed in action, and his mother dies of grief from the shock. Jim enlists with his friend, and what he discovers in the trenches of France is far from any romantic adventure. Jim’s longing for adventure is replaced by the struggle to survive. The tragic outcome is one surprise that the young adventurer never imagined in his dreams.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Other Use: Social Studies 10/History 10; Social Studies 20/History 20

Andrei and the Snow Walker (Print-Fiction). Warwaruk, Larry. (In the Same Boat Series). Coteau Books (FHW), 2002. 195 p. ISBN 1-55050-213-1 ($9.95 pbk.).

(SK) In this book from the In the Same Boat Series, Warwaruk celebrates the diverse cultures of Canada in the early 1900s. Andrei and his family have left the Ukraine and settled on a homestead near Batoche, Saskatchewan. Andrei’s grandfather shares stories from the past with his grandson about the horsemanship of the Cossacks and the Scythian Cup, a relic of the ancient Ukrainians. The cup brings strange, magical visions to Andrei. When Andrei is caught in a blizzard, he is saved by the infamous Snow Walker, a wise man with unique powers. The encounters that Andrei and Snow Walker experience provide an opportunity for readers to see a glimpse of the magical beauty of the prairies.

Students will learn about the customs of both Cree and Ukrainian people through this novel. Suggested Use: Grade 7; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Initiatives: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Content and Perspectives; Multicultural Content and Perspectives

Ann and Seamus (Print-Fiction). Major, Kevin and Blackwood, David, illus. Groundwood Books (HCP), 2003. 109 p. ISBN 0-88899-561-X ($16.95 hdc.).

(CAN) This haunting lyrical tale of heroism and young love is based on the shipwreck of The Despatch in 1828. As the Irish immigrant ship bound for Quebec City crashes off the Isle aux Mort, Ann courageously navigates a rescue through the thick fog and fierce wind. Among the rescued is Seamus who offers Ann a chance to leave the Newfoundland fishing village to begin a new life in America. The young woman grapples with this decision because she loves her home, but wishes to escape the possibility of following her mother’s tragic fate. Stark blue and grey illustrations echo the tragedies caused by the unrelenting sea and the stormy skies.

Nominated for the 2004 Governor General’s Award, this tale presents an episode in Canadian history with passion and intensity.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context

The Art of Inquiry: Questioning Strategies for K-6 Classrooms (Print-Non-Fiction). Cecil, Nancy Lee. Peguis Publishers Limited (PGE), 1995. 164 p. ISBN 1-895411-74-2 ($24.00 pbk.).

(CAN, WNCP) This resource shows teachers how to question effectively and how to develop their students’ questioning abilities. It formulates relevant questions that focus on information needs and encourages establishment of a safe atmosphere for students to express themselves without fear of rejection. Part 1 identifies types of questions and the thinking skills they promote. Part 2 provides practical questioning strategies and activities. Included are a table of contents, a list of suggested reading, and sample student organizers.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Teacher Reference
Other Use: English Language Arts: Grades K to 5

Ask Me Anything!: Strange But True Answers to 99 Wacky Questions (Print-Non-Fiction). Meikle, Marg and Holdcroft, Tina, illus. Scholastic Canada Ltd. (SCH), 2004. 151 p. ISBN 0-439-98909-4 ($7.99 pbk.).

(CAN) Meikle has written a very informative and entertaining book that will appeal to students. Answers to many of those questions that students have asked and people have ignored are provided in this interesting book. For example, explanations for expressions such as “raining cats and dogs” are provided for the curious mind.

Ask Me Anything! was nominated by the Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Willow Awards Committee for a Snow Willow Award in 2005.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Communicative Context

Autumn (Video). (Stories From the Seventh Fire Series). Storytellers Productions Ltd. (MGR), 2002. 24 min. Dup. order no. V3299. Teacher's Guide - Order no. G3299 ($1.87 loose-leaf). Expires August 31st, 2010.

(CAN) This video includes the two following stories:

Legend of the First Thanksgiving: Sharing is a way to give thanks for the bounty around us. As the leaves were falling, Raven tricked the other animals into providing a great feast before winter arrived. The feast tradition of harvest, Thanksgiving, or potlach, carries on for all animals, including humans. This story outlines the details of how animals prepare for winter.

Wesakechak and the Medicine: This story shows that abusing medicine can be dangerous. One beautiful day Wesakechak sees two chickadees getting extra energy from their special medicine berries. He begs them to share, and they do, but they caution him to take only one at a time and only when he is very tired. Wesakechak overdoes it. He also sees two cranes tossing their eyes to the sky to improve their eyesight. Again Wesakechak begs for the secret and overdoes it, and loses his sight. Eventually the Creator restores his sight, but first makes Wesakechak promise that he will not abuse strong medicine again.

Shared Visions: The Art of Storytelling (also annotated in this bibliography, the “making of” documentary, is a complement to this program that recounts the challenges and experience of making the Stories From the Seventh Fire Series.

Supporting print is available from Media Group.

This program is closed-captioned for people with hearing disabilities.
Suggested Use : Grade 9; Imaginative and Literary Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Other Use: Arts Education: Grades K to 5; Arts Education: Grades 6 to 9; Arts Education: Secondary Level; English Language Arts: Grades K to 5; Science: Grades K to 5; Social Studies: Grades 7-9
Initiative: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Content and Perspectives