Summer is winding down.
But if the young people in your life are already missing movie blockbuster season, they can try filling the void with one of these great reads. Your local public librarian can also help find the perfect back-to-school book for any kid or teen.
The Minions are delightfully scampish, hilarious, little yellow blobs who always find themselves serving lacklustre masters. If you liked Minions, try reading:
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
Winner of the 2015 Caldecott medal, Beekle is a lovable white marshamallowy thing longing to be a child’s imaginary friend.
Moomin and the Moonlight Adventure by Tove Jansson
The classic Moomin stories are now available in picture book and graphic novel format.
Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston
If Dr. Seuss wrote a novel, this would be it, a fantastic family read-aloud about a young girl and a crazy creature.
The Yeti Files: Meet the Bigfeet by Kevin Sherry
A lovable cast of yeti characters has their yeti family reunion right here in B.C.
Pixar dominated the box office with a highly original and moving tale where a young girl’s emotions take centre stage as the movie’s main characters. If you liked Inside Out, try reading...
The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin
This totally original concept picture book explains colour without utilizing the reader’s sense of sight.
Emily’s Blue Period by Cathleen Daly, illustrations by Lisa Brown.
This is a fantastic conversation starter for young children about experiencing loss, grief and change.
Flare by Kallie George, illustrations by Geneviève Côté
Perfect for newly independent readers, Flare is the story of a little phoenix who learns the power of letting himself cry.
The Nose From Jupiter by Richard Scrimger
A shy boy named Allan gets a champion in the form of an alien named Norbert who lives in Allan’s nose and speaks for his new human friend. This book is absolutely wacky and hilarious.
Originally published as a novel by John Green in 2009, Paper Towns is a film that is part comedy, part mystery and part drama. Shy Quentin tries to track down the most popular girl in school when she disappears after they spend a prank-filled day together. If you liked Paper Towns, try reading...
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Fans of John Green’s humour will love Maureen Johnson and her novel that takes a teen girl on a trek through Europe, led by notes from her dearly departed aunt.
Charlie, Presumed Dead by Anne Heltzel
Two girls meet at Charlie’s funeral only to find out that they were both dating Charlie. This one is all thriller and twists.
I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest, illustrations by Kali Ciesmier
This highly inventive mystery weaves together comics, friendship and a murder mystery.
Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly
Winnipeg-based author Stephanie Tromly brings the LOLs with this mystery about a whip-smart boy named Digby and a new girl in town.
We asked Shannon Ozirny, head of youth services at West Vancouver Memorial Library, for a list of summer reads, and a list of free library resources for students. This story originally appeared in our Back to School special section.
