Myrna Guymer loves to do school readings with her book The Canadian Shield Alphabet. Here she is at a reading in Melville in spring 2011.
Myrna says “The costume is my voyageur shirt and Metis sash. I also wear beaded moccasins. I take samples from nature: birch bark and items made from bark; roots, spruce gum, deer moss, and many different rock samples, core samples, and I often give each child a chunk of rock with sparkles – pyrite – that they think might be gold (they love it).
Adele Dueck’s novel Racing Home received 31/2 out of 4 stars in a review from CM magazine. The reviewer said:
Adele Dueck’s latest novel, Racing Home, is a fascinating work of historical fiction that explores the unique experiences of early twentieth-century immigrants in Saskatchewan through the character of 12-year-old Erik Brekke…While the main appeal of the story is in the details of settlers’ lives and their incredible daily experiences, the story is successful as a novel because of the realistic characters through whose lives the reader learns about the history.
Canadian Teacher Magazine has this to say about Adele Dueck’s novel Racing Home:
Building a sod house, digging a well, breaking the sod, ploughing the fields, fishing and snaring rabbits to supplement the diet are all skills that the reader learns about as Erik and his family adjust to their new life. This book would well support the study of pioneer life on the prairies, immigration to Canada, and many other areas of the Social Studies curriculum at multiple grade levels.
Anne Patton’s historical novel Full Steam to Canada!was reviewed in Canadian Teacher Magazine.
This is an excellent work of historical fiction…an in-depth account of boat and train travel at the turn of the century, as well as a great record of the hardships immigrants had to face when settling our great country…Dorothy ages little in her few months of travel, but she matures an immeasurable amount.
Read more of the what the reviewer has to say in the full article.
CM Magazine has reviewed two of Alison Lohans’ recent books, Dog Alert and Germy Johnson’s Piano War.
About Germy Johnson:
Germy Johnson’s Piano War, by Alison Lohans
Germy Johnson’s Piano War is a fun story about a boy dealing with a less-than-ideal situation. J.J. is a little stubborn, very creative, and ultimately, he pushes through and accepts the lessons he has because he knows he is not a quitter. This book is a fairly fast read, at only 64 pages, and the quick nature of the plot makes this book great for reluctant readers or for a read aloud.
Zoe’s story is told directly; there is no stopping to muse upon the plot points that could be weighed down with “teachable moments” or life lessons. Great for new independent readers, the direct nature of the book is one of the major strengths of Dog Alert as Lohans seems to understand the need to allow readers the opportunity to form their own opinions rather than telling them what to take away from Zoe’s story.
Anne Patton talks about the importance of public libraries in this video from the 2011 Word on the Street festival in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Authors Yann Martel, Arthur Slade, Maureen Ulrich, and Amy Jo Ehman are also featured.
Tumblebooks is an interactive reading site that helps kids of all ages learn to read. Now you can read Raspberry Room, by Alison Lohans, on this fun website.
Schools and libraries can sign up for a 12-month subscription or a free trial.
Saskatchewan Children's Writers' Round Robin 