Titles and Descriptions - L

The Lady at Batoche
Language Aloud… Allowed in the Middle and High School Years
Larger Than Life
The Last Book in the Universe
Last Chance Bay
Last Chance Summer
Last Days in Africville
Last Sam's Cage
Leaving the Log House
Lessons That Change Writers
Let Me Tell You
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq. 1st ed.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Literacy Moments to Report Cards
Little Voice
The Loki Wolf
The Longlight Legacy Trilogy Series
Looking for X
The Losers' Club
Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life

The Lady at Batoche (Print-Fiction). Richards, David. Thistledown Press Ltd. (LPGD), 1999. 275 p. ISBN 1-895449-87-1 ($9.95 pbk.).

(SK) The three main characters of Soldier Boys return, this time at the Battle of Batoche. Tom, Luc, and Marie are all 14 years of age, and the suspenseful re-creation of the history of the battle is interwoven with their personal experiences during this time. Readers will learn a great deal about how battles were fought when the Métis resistance was overthrown. A glossary of Cree and French phrases used in the dialogue is included. The book also contains two maps — one of the Saskatchewan countryside near Duck Lake in 1885 and another of the area around Batoche.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Environmental and Technological Context; Personal and Philosophical Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Initiative: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Content and Perspectives

Language Aloud… Allowed in the Middle and High School Years (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the “Currently Out of Print but Still Useful Learning Resources” section.

Larger Than Life (Print-Anthology). Please refer to the “Currently Out of Print but Still Useful Learning Resources” section.

The Last Book in the Universe (Print-Fiction). Philbrick, Rodman. Scholastic Inc. (SCH), 2000. 223 p. ISBN 0-439-08759-7 ($8.99 pbk.).

Philbrick has written an imaginative, disturbing story about a bleak and dangerous future world. A teenage boy called Spaz, because of his epilepsy, undergoes a journey to find his adoptive sister, Bean. Spaz still has his memory because he cannot take the drug-like mindprobes that turn the others into zombies. Ryter, an old man, accompanies Spaz on his adventure because he is one of the few people who still remembers and values books. Lanya, a female “proov” (genetically improved human), takes the group to Eden, an idyllic proov community that is different from the dangerous toxic Urbs where “normals” live. When Ryter is killed by a mob, Spaz must tell his story in “the last book in the universe.”
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Imaginative and Literary Context

Last Chance Bay (Print-Fiction). Carter, Anne Laurel. Penguin Books Canada Limited (CDS), 2004. 169 p. ISBN 0-14-301663-6 ($17.00 pbk.).

(CAN) Fourteen-year-old Meg Christie dreams of becoming a pilot just like her heroes Amelia Earhart and Beryl Markham. Meg lives in Cape Breton where life is a struggle for coal miners’ families, especially during World War II. Meg is very unhappy. Her aunt suffers from tuberculosis, her uncle is an alcoholic, and her cousins are neglected. Meg’s family does not understand her dream of becoming a pilot. Miss MacKinnon, the new teacher who falls in love with Meg’s cousin, Caleb, encourages Meg. However, the school committee dismisses Miss MacKinnon for her modern attitudes, and unfortunately, Caleb is killed during the war. Meg is given the chance to fly when a pilot who is a friend of Caleb’s returns from the war and offers her flying lessons.

This story, told in the first-person narrative, is very suspenseful and dramatic. Readers learn about the struggles in a Cape Breton mining town. Meg’s voice regarding the technical, historical, and cultural matters will lead to discussions about labour issues, gender equality, the war, the history of coal mining, and the many dynamics in family life and in an extended family.

This book won the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award for Children in 2005.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Environmental and Technological Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Initiative: Gender Equity

Last Chance Summer (Print-Fiction). Please refer to the “Currently Out of Print but Still Useful Learning Resources” section.

Last Days in Africville (Print-Fiction). Perkyns, Dorothy. Beach Holme Publishing Ltd. (UTP), 2003. 110 p. ISBN 1-55002-630-5 ($10.99 pbk.).

(CAN) Twelve-year-old Selina Palmer is growing up in the Halifax community of Africville. Selina is the only black child in her class and daily endures discrimination from her classmates. One girl in particular, Doreen, bullies her relentlessly because of her race. Selina makes one friend, Rosalind, and is hurt when Rosalind’s mother forbids their friendship. Selina’s refuge is her home in Africville, where she is surrounded by the love and warmth of her family and community. However, the city of Halifax does not see these strengths in the community. It sees only the dilapidated houses, the lack of plumbing, and the crowded conditions. It becomes obvious that the city is going to destroy Africville, and that the tight-knit community will be scattered. Selina and her family move just in time.

One strength of this novel is its portrayal of the effects of discrimination – the daily humiliations, the lack of opportunity, the sense of powerlessness. Another strength is its telling of the story of Africville – a part of Canadian history that is often overlooked.

Last Days in Africville was nominated by the Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Willow Awards Committee for the 2005 Diamond Willow Award.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Other Use: Social Studies: Grades 7-9
Initiative: Multicultural Content and Perspectives

Last Sam's Cage (Print-Fiction). Poulsen, David A. Key Porter Books Limited (FEN), 2004. 222 p. ISBN 1-55263-611-9 ($15.95 pbk.).

(CAN) This well-written, engaging story shares 15-year-old Eddie’s search for understanding about his life and what he wants from it. Eddie’s circumstances are far from ideal. Already a young offender with enemies on his trail, he runs away from an abusive home situation to take up residence at the Calgary Zoo. Jack, a regular visitor to the zoo, is involved in actions which will change both their lives while Eddie learns about life and building relationships with others. The story’s authentic language provides a different view of love, relationships, and loyalty.

Teachers should note that some schools may find difficulty with the use of strong language and sexual images.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Personal and Philosophical Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context

Leaving the Log House (Print-Fiction). Manson, Ainslie. Orca Book Publishers Ltd. (ORC), 2003. 121 p. ISBN 1-55143-258-7 ($8.95 pbk.).

(CAN) As a result of a childhood accident, a 10-year-old girl is sent to live with relatives as she prepares to be outfitted with a prosthetic leg. Homesick and frightened, Teresa takes comfort in playing with her model log house and two plastic dolls. As an act of kindness, Teresa sends a doll to her brother at his new school. Unfortunately, his rejection of the gift threatens the young girl’s rehabilitation. The siblings eventually resolve the misunderstandings, and Teresa’s progress enables her to use new skates! This sensitive novel presents an overcoming of one’s physical challenges.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Personal and Philosophical Context
Other Use: Health Education: Grades 6 to 9
Initiative: Abilities Awareness

Lessons That Change Writers (Print-Non-Fiction). Atwell, Nancie. Heinemann Educational Books (PRN), 2002. 255 p. ISBN 0-86709-506-7 ($99.11 set).

Renowned writer Nancie Atwell’s latest resource features a detailed year-long writing workshop of mini-lessons for improving student writing. The mini-lessons focus on finding and developing topics, genres, conventions, and writing strategies. The included lessons were chosen by former students as providing a significant impact on their ability to write.

Although more prescriptive than the approach she took in her previous book entitled In the Middle (currently out of print), Atwell presents innovative methods to inspire teachers to help students to become better writers.

A n accompanying binder contains overheads of principles, approaches, rules, examples, student readings, posters, and student writings.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Teacher Reference
Other Use: English Language Arts: Grades K to 5

Let Me Tell You (Print-Anthology). Please refer to the “Currently Out of Print but Still Useful Learning Resources” section.

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq. 1st ed. (Print-Non-Fiction). Winter, Jeanette. Harcourt, Inc. (RAI), 2005. unp. ISBN 0-15-205445-6 ($21.95 hdc.).

The simple text, limited vocabulary, and uncomplicated sentence structure have been used to create a picture book with complex, mature concepts. The illustrations are simple and vividly coloured to create a very clear representation of the ideas in the book. The story is based on a true event when the librarian at Basra enlisted the help of the community to save over 70 percent of the collection in the library. The library was burned in the war and conflict that engulfed Basra, Iraq in 2003.

The simply told story can provide a springboard for discussion that can involve the love of books and literature, the importance of libraries in a community, respect for knowledge, and the implications of war on individuals and communities. It can also be an entry point for more work on the war in Iraq.

The illustrations, similar to the Ted Harrison style, present a rich resource for viewing and representing.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Communicative Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Initiative: Multicultural Content and Perspectives

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Print-Fiction). Lewis, C. S. HarperCollins Canada Ltd. (HCP), 2005. 224 p. ISBN 0-06-076548-8 ($8.99 pbk.).

The adventure begins when four children opened a door in the wardrobe and entered the world of Narnia. This is the classic tale of the four children Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, who discover and travel in the land of Narnia. The children from London stumble through the back of the wardrobe in the professor’s mysterious old house and discover the magic world beyond. The children meet Aslan, the Great Lion, and help him triumph over the White Witch who has cursed the land with eternal winter. After their experience, the lives of the children are forever changed.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Imaginative and Literary Context

Literacy Moments to Report Cards (Print-Non-Fiction). Wason-Ellam, Linda. Pembroke Publishers Limited (PPL), 1994. 128 p. ISBN 1-55138-036-6 ($12.95 pbk.).

(SK) This resource provides clearly developed strategies for teaching students to become metacognitive readers. Wason-Ellam discusses a variety of comprehension strategies suitable for classroom instruction. The book contains checklists and information about assessment of students' reading abilities, including portfolios and conferencing. This is a well-organized, interesting resource.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Teacher Reference

Little Voice (Print-Fiction). Slipperjack, Ruby. (In the Same Boat Series). Coteau Books (FHW), 2001. 246 p. ISBN 1-55050-182-8 ($9.95 pbk.).

(SK) Ray, an impoverished young Ontario girl of Ojibway and Caucasian heritage, is having difficulty dealing with the death of her father and accepting her cultural background. She does not get along with her peers, and she feels that her mother has no time for her. Life improves for Ray when her grandmother, an Elder and healer, helps Ray to accept herself and maintain her cultural heritage in a modern world.
Suggested Use: Grade 7; Personal and Philisophical Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Other Use: Health Education: Grades 1 to 5; Health Education: Grades 6 to 9
Initiative: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Content and Perspectives

The Loki Wolf (Print-Fiction). Slade, Arthur G. (Northern Frights Series). Orca Book Publishers Ltd. (ORC), 2000. 190 p. ISBN 1-55143-145-9 ($9.95 pbk.).

(CAN) The third novel in the Northern FrightsSeries intertwines stories from Icelandic sagas and Norse mythology with an exciting action-packed mystery adventure. Fifteen-year-old Angie and her two cousins, Sarah and Michael, journey to Iceland with their Grandpa Thursten for the Christmas season. Grandpa is famous for relating Norse myths and legends, and he sets the stage for the novel when he describes the “Loki,” a trickster god, and mythical creatures that shift or change shape. The chapters are short in this easily read novel.

Some background in Norse mythology will be necessary before using this book with students.

Teachers should note that some of the descriptions might be considered offensive. It is recommended that teachers check their school division’s selection policy before using this novel.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Imaginative and Literary Context
Initiative: Multicultural Content and Perspectives

The Longlight Legacy Trilogy Series (Print- Fiction). Please refer to the title: The Dirt Eaters.

Looking for X (Print-Fiction). Ellis, Deborah. Groundwood Books (HCP), 1999. 132 p. ISBN 0-88899-382-X ($7.95 pbk.).

(CAN) This easily read novel is told from the perspective of Khyber, aged 11, who feels isolated both at school and at home where she lives with her single mother and autistic twin brothers. Her only friend is a bag lady whom she meets from time to time in a nearby park. When Khyber is accused of vandalizing school property, she seeks out the elusive bag lady to testify to her innocence. Laden with serious issues, the book gives insight into the thinking of a young girl living in poverty in the city of Toronto.
Suggested Use: Grade 7; Personal and Philosophical Context
Other Use: Health Education: Grades 6 to 9

The Losers' Club (Print-Fiction). Lekich, John. Annick Press (FIR), 2002. 249 p. ISBN 1-55037-753-1 ($18.95 hdc.). ISBN 1-55037-752-3 ($10.95 pbk.).

(CAN) This novel tells the story of one teenager’s attempt to break free of his loser status. Fifteen-year-old Alex Sherwood starts the Losers’ Club for the school outcasts in order to deal with the aggressive bullying at McLuhan High. Alex has a disability, but Lekich depicts Alex’s disability as just another one of life’s challenges as a teen. Alex suggests a contest with school bully Jerry Whitman in the local Christmas lights competition. Alex is supported by other teens who have been harassed by Jerry, and by some sympathetic adults. Lekich shows how teens can deal with a number of difficult issues such as bullying, self-esteem, and peer pressure. In this novel, Lekich portrays Alex not as a victim of his disability, but as an individual ready to deal with the world on his terms.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Personal and Philosophical Context
Other Use: Health Education: Grades 6 to 9
Initiatives: Abilities Awareness; Career Development

Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Writer's Life (Print-Non-Fiction). MacLeod, Elizabeth. (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History Series). Kids Can Press (UTP), 2001. 32 p. ISBN 1-55074-487-9 ($16.95 hdc.). ISBN 1-55074-489-5 ($7.95 pbk.).

(CAN) This book is a brief biography of one of Canada’s most famous writers, Lucy Maud Montgomery. MacLeod shows how Montgomery wove certain parts of her own life into her writing. Original photographs and writings from Montgomery’s diary provide an easy-to-read biography. A time frame of Montgomery’s life, a list of websites, and an index are included.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Personal and Philosophical Context