Browse Books for Kids

Perfect for fans of The Marrow Thieves, Hatchet and The City of Ember, H.E. Edgmon's middle grade debut offers a bittersweet tale of hope and survival, a modern classic for the climate change generation.

One year ago, a solar flare scorched the Earth and destroyed life as we know it.

With their parents gone and supplies running dangerously low, step-sisters Millie and Rose only have one chance at survival: leave home with their infant half-brother and loyal dog Corncob in search of Millie’s grandma, a Seminole elder. As they navigate the burning land with a group of fellow survivors, dodging The Hive, a villainous group that has spent the last year hoarding supplies and living in luxury, the siblings have to learn to rely on each other more than ever, and discover how to build a new life from the ashes.

Expertly balancing heartbreak and hope, The Flicker is both a thrilling survival story and a tender exploration of Indigenous ideas of identity and found family.

Reviews
"Edgmon’s middle grade debut is a dystopian, anti-capitalist, Indigenous, gender nonconforming love letter to tweens . . . The writing is engaging, the plot is lively, and the social dynamics are believable, even when presenting lessons. Edgmon doesn’t pull any punches with this book . . . Through a story with some genuinely frightening moments, Edgmon helps readers explore identity. After all, who are we after all the systems we’ve used to define ourselves crumble?" —School Library Journal, starred review

"Incisive worldbuilding surrounding the climate collapse makes this middle grade debut a simultaneously cautionary tale and dystopian adventure in which Edgmon showcases the unflagging power of community in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
288 pages | 5.13" x 7.62" | Paperback 

In this traditional story from the Western Arctic, a kind giant adopts a human boy. One night, after a meal, the giant gives the boy one job, to watch for grizzly bears while he sleeps. Each time the boy sees a bear, he wakes the giant. But the giant is so big he is not concerned with any regular grizzly. That is until a giant grizzly appears and the giant must fight to protect himself and his adopted son!

Told in a manner faithful to the original traditional story, passed forward for generations, this thrilling tale will delight young readers looking for adventure.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.50" x 9.50"| Hardcover 

A pitch-perfect story about sibling bonds and Anishinaabe cultural traditions, from the bestselling author of SkySisters.

Serenity is following her brother, Big Ed, to his fishing spot on Hawk River. Big Ed explains that the river is named for the Hawk, Gekek, the Keepers of the river and their Protectors. “They see things far off in the distance, things we can't,” he tells Serenity. Later, when Big Ed gets in trouble while fishing, Serenity follows the Hawk's shadow to come to her brother's aid. Bestselling author Jan Bourdeau Waboose showcases Indigenous storytelling traditions in this compelling picture book featuring Ojibwe words and cultural practices. Karlene Harvey's brightly colored illustrations stunningly capture the natural world of the bush. The sibling relationship, full of teasing and admonitions, is pitch-perfect, and will be relatable to readers of any age. This captivating book, with its rich narrative and riveting climax, is a wonderful choice for reading aloud. It's an excellent accompaniment to social studies lessons on cultures, local and global communities, and Indigenous Peoples. It also offers a perfect opportunity to encourage children to notice the natural world where they live.

Reviews
"The Hawk Shadow is a rich and tender story by Jan Bourdeau Waboose, an Anishinaabe author from the Bear Clan in Northern Ontario, with illustrations by Karlene Harvey, a Tsilhqot’in and Syilx artist from Vancouver. It follows Serenity and her big brother, Big Ed, as they journey to Hawk Lake to fish. Along the way, Serenity meets the Hawk Shadow, a river guardian who sees beyond the visible world and guides her through a moment of crisis. Rooted in Waboose’s family and community traditions, the story is infused with Indigenous Knowledge, love, and respect for the land. The Hawk Shadow is more than a tale of kinship and adventure; it’s a poetic reflection of Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being." -  Anika L., Middle School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

This book is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC. It is recommended for K to 6 classrooms for English Language Arts. 

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover

This is a book for anyone, of any age, who cares about rivers.

This story of the Columbia River is unique. Told from the river’s perspective, it is an immersive, empathetic portrait of a once-wild river and of the Sinixt, a First People who lived on the mainstem of this great western river for thousands of years and continue to do so even though Canada declared them “extinct” in 1956.

The book’s re-release comes at a critical time for natural systems and for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples across North America. The Colville Confederated Tribes, representing over 3,000 Sinixt People, recently won a precedent-setting case in the Supreme Court of Canada affirming that Aboriginal Rights do not stop at the border. The important story of the Sinixt weaves together with the ongoing ecological impact of hydropower development on the Columbia and its tributaries.

Central to the story is the joyous spirit of salmon, once a free swimmer in the Columbia’s currents north of the border but now blocked from ancestral spawning grounds by Grand Coulee and other dams. Restoring migratory fish indigenous to the Upper Columbia will require transboundary cooperation. With Indigenous Nations on both sides of the US–Canada border now leading the way, many are hopeful that the fish will return.

Lavishly illustrated by Nelson, BC, designer Nichola Lytle, this portrait of a globally significant river will inspire anyone who reads it to care about the future of the salmon, a fish that unites all of us in its quest for freedom and possibility.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
96 pages | 9.50" x 8.50" | Paperback

Author Deidre Havrelock’s and illustrator Aphelandra’s The Heartbeat Drum is an uplifting picture book biography of a Cree activist and musician who founded an Indigenous hand drumming group, led by women and children, that spreads joy, healing, and unity

nisôhkisinân (We are strong) . . .
ninikamonân (We are singing) . . .
mîna nika-âhkamêyimonân (And we will continue) . . .

Whenever young Carol Powder sang along to her family’s music, her heart felt light and full of joy. Learning from her grandfather, Moshum, Carol listened closely to the drums’ heartbeat until one day Moshum made her a drum of her very own. As Carol grew up, she passed down her songs to her children, grandchildren, and many women in her community, just as Moshum taught her—even as women and children became increasingly excluded from sitting at the drum. Despite those who disapproved, she formed her own drumming group called Chubby Cree.

Today, Carol and her group share their music to advocate at climate events, to honor residential school survivors at special ceremonies, and to spread healing for anyone who needs it. Empowering and joyfully illustrated, The Heartbeat Drum is a radiant celebration of preserving Indigenous traditions, finding your voice, and speaking out.

Includes both an author’s note and illustrator’s note, as well as a personal note from Carol Powder herself.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
40 Pages | 9" x 11" | Hardcover 

Hockey fans will love this action-packed middle-grade novel about teamwork, overcoming adversity, and being proud of who you are and where you come from.

Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex Robinson. After his father accepts a new job, Alex and his family move from their community to the city. For the first time in his life, he doesn’t fit in. His fellow students don’t understand Indigenous culture. Even a simple show of respect to his teacher gets him in trouble.

Things begin to look up after Alex tries out for a local hockey team. Playing for the Kodiaks, Alex proves himself as one of the best, but he becomes a target because he’s Indigenous. Can Alex trust his teammates and stand up to the jerks on other teams? Can he find a way to fit in and still be who he’s meant to be?

Reviews
“Conflicts that make you think. David expertly weaves entertainment and humour with life lessons—and suggestions for making the world a better place.” — Kevin Sylvester, author/illustrator of The Hockey Super-Six

"Hockey fans will love this action-packed middle grade novel...a really nice addition to the field." — School Library Journal 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

This book is part of the Breakout Chronicles series.

Big Ideas: Aspects of Indigenous Cultures, Worldviews, Teachings and Protocols, Contemporary Setting, Diverse and Inclusive Representation, Identity, Social Emotional Learning, Character Education, Courage, Friendship, Self-Esteem and Self-Reliance, Social Justice, Discrimination, Impacts of Colonization and Colonialism, Prejudice and Racism, Bullying, Resilience.

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as a valuable resource for English Language Arts in grades 6 to 10.

Content Warning: Racism, stereotypes, culturally offensive language, violence, and bullying

This book is available in French: Les Kodiaks: L'avantage de la glace

Additional Information
184 pages | 5.25" x 8.00" | Paperback

Through the Squamish language and cultural traditions, learn about Indigenous plant relationships and how we are all connected to nature through plant-based foods, medicines, and materials. 

The best way to learn about plants is through observing and interacting with living examples. Join Held by the Land author Leigh Joseph and her children in The Land Knows Me, an educational, hands-on journey to discover all the wonderful uses and gifts of the plants around us. Through the Indigenous traditions of Squamish culture you’ll learn how to ground yourself on the land, how to introduce yourself in the Squamish language to your plant relatives, and the many teachings about plants, cultural stories, and learnings related to the flora seen on your walk.

This essential and colorful introduction to Indigenous plant knowledge includes informative sidebars, reflection questions, and plant names in both Squamish and English so children can learn a new language. 

The Land Knows Me concludes with a 15 plant profile directory featuring detailed plant illustrations and kid-friendly botanical drawings to aid in learning about the many great uses for plants and the native history behind them. You’ll meet plants like:

• Ḵwiĺayus (kw-ill-eye-os), Red-Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum
• Ḵ’emeláý (k-em-ill-eye), Bigleaf Maple, Acer macrophyllum
• Séliýaý (s-elle-ee-eye), Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosa
• Xápaýay (hey-pie-eye), Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata
• Ḵwe7úpaý (kw-oh-pa-eye), Pacific Crabapple, Malus fusca
• And more!

The directory also includes important safety and proper harvesting information for parents who are looking for more opportunities to educate and engage with kids while getting to know the secrets of the land around us. Including mindfulness activities, how-to crafts, and yummy treats, The Land Knows Me calls you back again and again to learn something new with each engaging read!

Follow the stream, cross the field, and step into a forest full of rich, botanical diversity rooted in history and tradition.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
80 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | Hardcover 

Lucy, a spirited French-Ojibwe orphan, is sent to the stormy waters of Lake Superior to live with a mysterious family of lighthouse-keepers—and, she hopes, to find the legendary necklace her father spent his life seeking…

Selena Lucy Landry (named for a ship, as every sailor’s child should be) has been frightened of the water ever since she lost her father at sea. But with no one else to care for her, she’s sent to foster with the Martins—a large Anishinaabe family living on a lighthouse in the middle of stormy Lake Superior.

The Martin family is big, hard-working, and close, and Lucy—who has always been a dreamer—struggles to fit in. Can she go one day without ruining the laundry or forgetting the sweeping? Will she ever be less afraid of the lake?

Although life at the lighthouse isn’t what Lucy hoped for, it is beautiful—ships come and go, waves pound the rocks—and it has one major advantage: It’s near the site of a famous shipwreck, a shipwreck that went down with a treasure her father wanted more than anything. If Lucy can find that treasure—a priceless ruby necklace—won’t it be like having Papa back again, just a little bit?

But someone else is hunting for the treasure, too. And as the lighthouse company becomes increasingly skeptical that the Martins can juggle Lucy and their duties, Lucy and the Martin children will need to find the necklace quickly—or they may not have a home at all.

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a timelessly sweet tale of found family from rising Ojibwe voice Anna Rose Johnson, author of NPR Best Book of the Year The Star That Always Stays. Perfect for fans of L.M. Montgomery and Karina Yan Glaser!

Reviews
"Lucy Landry is a charming and fanciful heroine reminiscent of Anne Shirley, who reminds us that even in dark times, we can be a light for others."—Alyssa Colman, author of Bank Street Best Book of the Year The Gilded Girl

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
192 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Hardcover

Two kids from two different worlds form an unexpected friendship in this lens into the interworking of empathy. Told in alternating narratives, The Other Side of Perfect is infused with themes of identity, belonging, and compassion, reminding us that we are all more than our circumstances, and we are all more connected than we think.

Cody’s home life is a messy, too-often terrifying story of neglect and abuse. Cody himself is a smart kid, a survivor with a great sense of humor that helps him see past his circumstances and begin to try to get himself out. Autumn is a wealthy girl from an indigenous family, who has found herself in with the popular crowd even though it’s hard for her to want to keep up.

But one night, while returning home from a movie, Autumn comes across Cody, face down in the laneway behind her house. All Cody knows is that he can’t take another encounter with his father like the one he just narrowly escaped. He can’t go home. But he doesn’t have anywhere else to go. When Autumn agrees to let him hide out in her dad’s art studio, Cody’s story begins to come out, and so does hers.

Reviews"
"Dual perspectives illuminate cultural and class differences in this thought-provoking novel by Cree and Scottish author Florence (Legends of Funland) and Scrimger (Weerdest Day Ever!)" -- Publisher's Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 13.

Additional Information
256 Pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Hardcover 

Susan and her sister, Rebecca, love watching their mother write letters to people in other camps. Their mother has one precious pencil, and she keeps it safe in her box for special things. One afternoon, their mother leaves the iglu to help a neighbour, and Susan, Rebecca, and their brother Peter are left with their father. They play all their regular games but are soon out of things to do—until their father brings out the pencil! As Susan draws and draws, the pencil grows shorter and shorter. What will their mother think when she comes home? Based on author Susan Avingaq’s childhood memories of growing up in an iglu, this charming story introduces young readers to the idea of using things wisely.

Reviews
[A] wonderful and touching story about resilience and thrift and community. The illustrations are appropriately done in pencil, and they are playful and open and beautiful." — The New York Times Book Review

"[A] rich and moving story about how small things can make a tremendous difference in children’s lives...Avingaq’s childhood is beautifully evoked in this charming story about the need to take care of our belongings." — The Globe and Mail

"Authors Avingaq and Vsetula understand life in Nunavut, Canada, and embed in the story the importance of being responsible for belongings and caring for them wisely...A breath of warmth from the far north." — Kirkus Reviews

"A family-focused story with a light moral that lovingly illuminates a lifestyle rarely seen in children’s books." — School Library Journal

"The Pencil goes beyond a lesson in frugality and becomes a story of family, of play and of culture, which many children will appreciate." — CanLit for Little Canadians

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 7.50" | Paperback

Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations in this new adventure in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.

While exploring World’s End, an area in Aski they've just discovered, Morgan and Emily delight in their developing relationship, while Eli struggles to understand his new-found power: the ability to locate a portal. A shocking turn of events leads them to a new village, Ministik, where the animal beings who live there are going missing. Horrified to discover who is responsible, the children vow to help and turn to friends, old and new. But it's getting harder and harder to keep the two worlds separate, especially when details of a traditional legend change everything. Forever.

Reviews
"Delivers what series fans have come to expect: fast-paced adventure, humorous banter, and tender explorations of Indigenous experiences." —Kirkus Reviews 

"David A. Robertson’s novel The Portal Keeper, a remix of The Chronicles of Narnia set in Winnipeg, is an exciting new instalment that adds its distinct touch on the world that Robertson has been building on for the past four years." —Northern News Service

"The Portal Keeper is another excellent instalment in the Misewa Saga. Robertson’s increasingly masterful prose keeps readers engaged, curious, and on the edge of their seats."—The Anishinabek News

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 10+.

This is the fourth book in 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.

Additional Information
256 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Paperback

In The Raven Calls, we meet Raven, a young girl deeply connected to her roots and the natural beauty of Vashon Island. Raven's journey is intertwined with the ancient wisdom of a cedar tree, which becomes her guide, sharing stories and teachings that connect her—and young readers—to the land, its creatures, and her people's history.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 14.

Additional Information
110 pages | 5.00" x 8.00" | Paperback 

Young Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn’t until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big.

However, becoming a doctor isn’t easy. University takes Ryan away from his family and the Siksikaitsitapi community, and without their support, he begins to struggle. Faced with more stress than he’s ever experienced, he turns to partying. Distracted from his responsibilities, his grades start to slip. His bills pile up. Getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a boy?

This inspiring graphic novel for young adults is based on a true story.

Awards

• NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book 2025 Winner
• CBC Young Adult Favorites 2025 Winner
• 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Award (Graphic Novel) Winner

Reviews
“Readers will root for Chase as he struggles with realistic problems like failing grades, acute stress, near-alcoholism, bills, and suddenly becoming a dad….The Rez Doctor is an uplifting and realistic narrative of achieving your dreams and giving back to your community.” — Youth Services Book Review

“…this graphic novel would be a good addition to any collection.” — School Library Journal

"Based on a true story and written in accessible language with relatable characters, The Rez Doctor is a coming-of-age story about the power of never giving up on your dreams, while also introducing readers to the complex and dark history of the colonial health care system and the harms it has caused Indigenous communities. Cautions / Content Warnings: Brief descriptions of medical abuse, depictions of addiction, alcohol consumption, and incarceration." -  Dionne L.-B., High School Librarian, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12+

Themes, Subjects, and Big Ideas: YA Fiction, Graphic Novels, Coming of Age, Careers, Occupations, New Experiences.

Fountas & Pinnell (F&P) Level: Z

This book is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC. It is recommended for Grades 8 to 12 for Career Education, English Language Arts, Family Studies, Physical and Health Education, and Social Studies. 

Additional Information
64 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | Paperback

A joyful coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel by debut Indigenous creator Cameron Mukwa about the journey of a two-spirit kid who wants to create a ribbon skirt for the upcoming powwow.

Ten-year-old Anang wants to make a ribbon skirt, a piece of clothing typically worn by women in the Anishinaabe tradition, for an upcoming powwow. Anang is two-spirit and nonbinary and doesn't know what others will think of them wearing a ribbon skirt, but they're determined to follow their heart's desire. Anang sets off to gather the materials needed to make the skirt and turns to those around them -- their family, their human and turtle friends, the crows, and even the lake itself -- for help. And maybe they'll even find a new confidence within themself along the way.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
192 pages | 6.00" x 9.00"

A teacher lesson plan that accompanies the book, The Seventh Direction. Includes comprehension questions, group activities, colouring pages, and more. In this enlightening legend shared by Lakota Elder Kevin Locke, Wakhan Thanka  (The Great Spirit) created the entire world in seven days; leaving the most precious creation for last. In order to protect this precious creation, Wakhan Thanka needed to hide it where it would always be safe and turned to our animal relatives for help. Together, they found the perfect place. Do you know where they chose?

Educator Information
This lesson plan accompanies the book The Seventh Direction: A Legend of Creation.

This lesson plan is available in French: La septième direction Plan de cours 

Additional Information
12 pages | 8.75" x 11.00" | Paper Packet