Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

An essential guide to emotional well-being for children; tackling everyday issues to facilitate happier, healthier lives. Our minds are beautifully complicated and brilliant machines. For much of our lives, these machines run efficiently with minimal maintenance. However, just like our other organs, they do require some proper attention every now and then. Recognizing this at an early age can only help as children progress into adulthood. Happy, Healthy Minds is a guide designed to help children become more aware of their emotional needs and examines a range of topics that might give their minds difficulties, for example: - when parents don’t seem to understand us.

Reviews
"Happy, Healthy Minds is an engrossing and effective read for children aged 10-16 and a must have resource for home educators." -School Reading List

"Cheerful illustrations interspersed amongst sensible matter of fact text go really well together in this title, a guide to emotional well-being for children. Informative without being preachy." -School Libraries Group

"This is a great resource to help children learn how to have a happier and healthier life especially in the way they think. My daughters loved this book. It’s definitely one we’ll return to again and again." -Netgalley review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 10+ 

Additional Information
176 pages | 7.51" x 9.99"

When the author learns of the death of her brother overseas, she embarks on a journey to bring him home. Through memories and dreams of all they shared together and through her Dene traditions, she finds comfort and strength. The lyrical art and story leave readers with a universal message of hope and love.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12+ (Mature Picture Book)

In this emotional illustrated picture book, author and illustrator Lisa Boivin tells the story of the loss of her brother and the journey with her Dene traditions to find comfort and the strength to move on from her grief.

This book explores themes of death, memory, remembrance, comfort, and specifically Dene perspectives on death. 

The author's deeply personal story is revealed through exquisite artwork and text that are grounded in her family's Dene culture.

Lisa Boivin's experiences as an artist and bioethicist inform her story, expressed in the Indigenous way of passing knowledge through images.

Additional Information
56 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | Colour illustrations throughout

Narnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in an epic middle-grade fantasy series from award-winning author David Robertson.

Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything -- including them.

Reviews
"David A. Robertson has written such a fine, beautiful novel. He manages to combine hard truths about our history with a Narnia-like fantasy, sweeping us into the world of the story while opening our hearts as well." -- Susin Nielsen, author of We Are All Made of Molecules and No Fixed Address

“This is a book that is rich in its characterization, evocative in its descriptions, and skillful in its weaving together of traditions of the past and life in the present.” --CM Magazine

"This middle-grade fantasy deftly and compellingly centers Indigenous culture." --STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

"The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga is a story about two Indigenous children forced away from their families to a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Struggling to fit, the two children find a space in the attic that opens a portal into another realm. They learn the traditional ways to survive and embark on a dangerous mission there." - The Dalai Lama Center 

Educator & Series Information
For ages 10+ (middle-grades).

This is Book 1 of the Misewa Saga. Narnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in this epic middle-grade fantasy series from award-winning author David Robertson.

This book is available in French: La saga Misewa: N° 1 - Les terres isolées.

Additional Information
256 pages | 5.44" x 8.25" | Jacket art and interior illustrations Natasha Donovan | Paperback

Can you say anything you want? Should you?

Everyone has rights but navigating your rights can be difficult. You have the right to freedom of expression but there are many places where this freedom is limited by laws, rules and regulations, or even customs such as good manners.

By exploring the viewpoints of The Censor, The Speechmaker and The Witness, this book will help you navigate issues of how to express identity and opinion.
- Freedom of Expression 101 defines rights, freedom of expression and censorship
- Dear Conflict Counsellor offers real-life problems and solutions
- Quizzes test your ability to identify censorship and how to deal with issues around freedom of expression
- A resource guide puts helpful organizations, books and websites at your fingertips

Educator & Series Information
The Deal With It series helps adolescents cope with conflicts in everyday life and promote peaceful homes, schools, and communities.

Recommended Ages: 9-14
Fry Reading Level [grade]: 5.4
Lexile Reading Level: 800L

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

How can Shane reconcile his feelings for David with his desire for a better life?

Shane is still reeling from the suicide of his kid sister, Destiny. How could he have missed the fact that she was so sad? He tries to share his grief with his girlfriend, Tara, but she’s too concerned with her own needs to offer him much comfort. What he really wants is to be able to turn to the one person on the rez whom he loves—his friend, David.

Things go from bad to worse as Shane’s dream of going to university is shattered and his grieving mother withdraws from the world. Worst of all, he and David have to hide their relationship from everyone. Shane feels that his only chance of a better life is moving to Toronto, but David refuses to join him. When yet another tragedy strikes, the two boys have to make difficult choices about their future together.

With deep insight into the life of Indigenous people on the reserve, this book masterfully portrays how a community looks to the past for guidance and comfort while fearing a future of poverty and shame. Shane’s rocky road to finding himself takes many twists and turns, but ultimately ends with him on a path that doesn’t always offer easy answers, but one that leaves the reader optimistic about his fate.

Reviews
“Complex, vulnerable emotion is embedded within the specificity of the writing in this dramatic prose debut. Jones avoids clichés of reservation life, humanizing the stories of how his people reconcile the trauma of suicide, missing family members, same-sex relationships, and the isolation of a community left to fend for itself. A touching story that has been a long time coming for the Indigenous community.” — Kirkus Reviews

“This complex, well-written debut will resonate with young people . . . A great coming-out novel with Native American protagonists; recommended for all teen collections.”— Jill Baetiong, School Library Journal

“A powerful, challenging book that is full of deeply meaningful turns as it boldly encourages living life to the best of one’s abilities.”— Foreword Reviews

"A stunning debut. If you loved the movie Fire Song, get ready to swoon over this movie-to-novel adaptation. The tension, beauty, desperation, hunger for someone, hunger for yourself, a family at the crossroads and a highway that's calling--it's all here. Completely riveting. Completely compelling. Adam Garnet Jones, I would follow you and your characters anywhere. Bravo! A literary and unforgettable masterpiece."— Richard Van Camp, author of The Lesser Blessed

Educator Information
Recommended for Ages 14+ / Grades 9+

Novel Themes: LGBTQ, family relationships, suicide, friendships, acceptance, sexuality, secrets, stereotyping, siblings, diversity, teens, multigenerational, Indigenous.

The Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools list recommends this resource for Grades 10-12 for English Language Arts and Physical and Health Education.

Additional Information
232 pages | 5.50" x 8.25"

A hardcover copy of this book is also available on the Strong Nations website.

Tasha Spillett’s graphic novel debut, Surviving the City, is a story about womanhood, friendship, colonialism, and the anguish of a missing loved one.

Miikwan and Dez are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew. Together, the teens navigate the challenges of growing up in an urban landscape – they’re so close, they even completed their Berry Fast together. However, when Dez’s grandmother becomes too sick, Dez is told she can’t stay with her anymore. With the threat of a group home looming, Dez can’t bring herself to go home and disappears. Miikwan is devastated, and the wound of her missing mother resurfaces. Will Dez’s community find her before it’s too late? Will Miikwan be able to cope if they don’t?

Awards

• Winner of the 2019 Indigenous Voices Award for Works in an Alternative Format
• Co-winner of the Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book by a Manitoba Author
• Winner of the Manuela Dias Design and Illustration Award, Graphic Novel category

Educator & Series Information
Recommended Grades: 7-12.

This graphic novel is part of the Surviving the City series, which is also part of the Debwe Series.

The Surviving the City series includes these titles:

• Surviving the City
• From the Roots Up
• We Are the Medicine

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020 resource list for grades 10 to 12 for English Language Arts and Social Studies.

This book could be triggering for some readers as it contains mature content and focuses on issues such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

A Teacher Guide is available: Surviving the City Teacher Guide: Exploring Identity, Allyship, and Social Action for Meaningful Change in Grades 7-12 

Additional Information
56 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" 

Who do you think you are? Part of identity is how people experience their gender. Transphobia is intolerance of any part of the range of gender identity. This accessible, illustrated book offers information, quizzes, comics and true-to-life scenarios to help kids better understand gender identity and determine what they can do to identify and counter transphobia in their schools, homes and communities. Considered from the viewpoint of gender challengers, gender enforcers and witnesses, transphobic behavior is identified, examined and put into a context that kids can use to understand and accept themselves and others for whatever gender they are — even if that's no gender at all!

Reviews
"The book's content is incredibly (and sadly) relevant, and I think that … Transphobia: Deal With It is a necessary book for school libraries, classroom collections, and home use."— Rob Bittner, CM: Candian Review of Materials

"This is a great resource for educators in any English-speaking setting... The content is excellent, and is likely to inspire some positive discussion amongst young people who are not LGBTQIA and haven't had cause to consider how their behaviour/language impacts on others. It's also affirming for LGBTQIA students and offers some excellent guidance for everyone on how to deal with their own and other people's passive and aggressive non-binary/transphobia. As someone with 18 years' experience as a teacher/lecturer, I am happy to recommend this book, in particular as an educational resource for teachers, youth group leaders and parents." — Debbie McGowan, NetGalley

Educator & Series Information
The Deal With It series helps adolescents cope with conflicts in everyday life and promote peaceful homes, schools, and communities.

Fry Reading Level: 6.1

Recommended Ages: 9-13

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

Kids deal with bullying in its many forms on a daily basis. This newly revised and reissued edition of Bullying: Deal With It is a popular and proven resource in the Deal With It conflict resolution series. Quizzes, comics and graphic novel-style illustrations help make this an engaging and accessible way to approach a complex and all-too-common problem.

This book will give kids the know-how to deal with bullying, whether they are the targets, witnesses, or even bullies themselves.

- Bullying 101 explains the many forms that bullying can take, from name-calling to physical fights to cyberbullying
- Letters to the “Bully Counsellor” illustrate real-life examples of bullying
- Quizzes test your anti-bullying skills
- A resource page lists helpful organizations, books, and websites

Awards
- 2015 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens winner

Educator & Series Information
The Deal With It series helps adolescents cope with conflicts in everyday life and promote peaceful homes, schools, and communities.

Recommended Ages: 9+

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | colour illustrations throughout

One of the best approaches to keeping kids away from gangs is to inform them about the realities of gang involvement before they are offered the choice. This book in the Deal With It series is designed to connect with any reader, whether they're already involved with a gang, considering joining a gang, or have witnessed gang activity in their neighbourhood.

Quizzes, comics, and graphic novel-style illustration help make this an engaging and accessible way to approach a difficult-to-address problem.

Gangs: Deal with it before wrong seems right uses real-life situations based on the author's experience as an at-risk youth counsellor to show tweens: common myths about gangs how to avoid being pushed or pulled into gang life how to get out where to go for help.

Educator & Series Information 
The Deal With It series helps adolescents cope with conflicts in everyday life and promote peaceful homes, schools, and communities.

Recommended Ages: 9+

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00"

A collection of warm, wise and inspiring stories from the author of the bestselling One Native Life.

Since its publication in 2008, readers and reviewers have embraced Richard Wagamese's One Native Life. In quiet tones and luminous language,wrote the Winnipeg Free Press, Wagamese shares his hurts and joys, inviting readers to find the ways in which they are joined to him and to consider how they might be joined to others.

In this book, Richard Wagamese again invites readers to accompany him on his travels. This time, his focus is on stories: how they shape us, how they empower us, how they change our lives. Ancient and contemporary, cultural and spiritual, funny and sad, the tales are grouped according to the four Ojibway storytelling principles: balance, harmony, knowledge and intuition.

Whether the topic is learning from his grade five teacher about Martin Luther King, gleaning understanding from a wolf track, lighting a fire for the first time without matches or finding the universe in an eagle feather, these stories exhibit the warmth, wisdom and generosity that made One Native Life so popular. As always, in these pages, the land serves as Wagamese' guide. And as always, he finds that true home means not only community but conversation good, straight-hearted talk about important things. We all need to tell our stories, he says. Every voice matters.

Reviews
"One Story, One Song is a collection of short stories that show how stories shape & empower us, and change our lives. The stories are grouped according to the 4 essential principles of the Ojibway traditional teachings: humility, trust, introspection, and wisdom." - The Dalai Lama Center

Additional Information
216 pages | 5.52" x 8.50" | Paperback

Do you race home to log in on your computer and chat? But what can you do when that user comes on, the user that won't go away and is getting nastier by the day? Now it seems you can't go to any of your favourite sites without finding something nasty posted about you.

This volume in the "Deal With It" series examines the issues of online name-calling, rumours, and threats, and provides fun and practical tips to help kids surf and text safely.

Reviews
"Offers fun and practical tips for safely navigating the Internet, where online name-calling, rumors, and threats have great impact." — Publishers Weekly

Educator & Series Information
The Deal With It series helps adolescents cope with conflicts in everyday life and promote peaceful homes, schools, and communities.

Fry Reading Level: 6.6

Recommended Ages: 9+

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | 50+ colour illustrations

That's so gay! It's a phrase commonly heard in school halls and playgrounds. But when used as a put-down, it's also homophobic. With plenty of quizzes, Q+As, comics, and scenarios, this interactive and highly visual new book in the Deal With It series helps kids determine what is -- and what isn't -- homophobia, and what they can do to make their schools, homes, and communities more safe and inclusive for everyone.

Reviews
"This accessible book defines homophobia and leads readers to consider seriously their own actions and attitudes, and how they can learn to treat everyone with respect. . . . This will be a useful book that could generate much production discussion about homophobia and its direct effect on the lives of middle school students." — Resource Links

"Overall, I believe that the content is valuable, and the sidebars are quite informative. . . The sections of the book that focus on what homophobia is are actually very important aspects of the text, especially in our current social context where homophobia gets tossed around to a great degree" Recommended. — Rob Bittner, CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Educator & Series Information
The Deal With It series helps adolescents cope with conflicts in everyday life and promote peaceful homes, schools, and communities.

Recommended Ages: 9+

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | colour illustrations throughout

Humour is a great way to deal with conflict, but it can lead to conflict, too. Whether intentional or not, teasing can cause offense, hurt feelings, and create misunderstandings. This book offers young people help in dealing with problems that stem from teasing and other kinds of humour.

Awards
- 2008 Best Books for Kids & Teens - Canadian Children's Book Centre winner

Educator & Series Information
The Deal With It series helps adolescents cope with conflicts in everyday life and promote peaceful homes, schools, and communities.

Fry Reading Level: 6.1

Recommended Ages: 9+

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | colour illustrations throughout

Few people would identify themselves as racist and yet we all hold attitudes and beliefs about cultures that are different from our own which affect the way we behave towards others.

Using realistic examples and sensitive language, Racism: Deal with it before it gets under your skin examines the sources of racial and cultural conflicts and the many forms -- both obvious and subtle -- that prejudice can take.

Whether they have experienced racial conflict as a member of a dominant or a minority group, this important book will help young people recognize and overcome barriers to peace, understanding, and acceptance.

Reviews
"Helpful, without being preachy, The Deal With It series is very timely. Recommended." — CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Educator & Series Information
The Deal With It series helps adolescents cope with conflicts in everyday life and promote peaceful homes, schools, and communities.

Fry Reading Level: 7.0

Recommended Ages: 9+

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | colour illustrations

Discover the tool that millions of people worldwide are using for guidance, inspiration, and help in finding answers to life's questions. now, revised and expanded to include eight additional cards, this unique and powerful divination system draws upon ancient wisdom and tradition to teach the healing medicine of animals. Medicine Cards has found its way into the hearts and hands of many, guiding the way to healing the body, emotions, mind, and spirit, and providing insight into and understanding of one's unique purpose in life.

A great resource to use with intermediate and secondary students! -Terri Mack

Reviews
“Since the publication of the Navaho novel, Seven Arrows, over twenty years ago, I haven't seen anything so adventurous or beautifully executed as Medicine Cards...this handsome and inviting package has much to teach us all.” —Patricia Holt, San Francisco Chronicle

“A potent yet refreshingly simple divination tool that can help up reconnect to the sources of life's natural guidance...extraordinarily well crafted. This work is plentiful, overflowing with the richness of the Native American way of life.” —Yoga Journal

Additional Information
256 pages | 5.77" x 8.84" | 62 black-and-white illustrations, cards include full color illustrations