26 best Canadian books for big kids

Kit Pearson, Puffin

During World War II, 10-year-old Norah and her brother are sent away from their parents in England to navigate a new life in Canada, in this touching historical account.

L.M. Montgomery, Penguin Canada

Melodramatic and relatable Anne-with-an-E is an 11-year-old orphan who finds love, loss and belonging in picturesque Prince Edward Island. 

Robert W. Service, Ted Harrison, Kids Can Press

Famed Canadian painter Ted Harrison illustrates the haunting classic gold rush–themed poem.

Kenneth Oppel, David Franklin, HarperTrophy Canada

In this exciting fantasy novel, a young Silverwing bat named Shade is separated from his family and must embark on a dangerous journey to find them. 

Farley Mowat, Emblem Editions

A Cree boy and a Caucasian orphan living with his uncle set out on an exciting—and, at times, nail-biting—Arctic adventure. 

Mordecai Richler, Dušan Petriu010diu0107, Tundra Books

Misunderstood Jacob Two-Two finds himself at the mercy of the mean Hooded Fang after insulting a grown-up. 

Brian Doyle, Groundwood Books

In 1945, a Jewish night watchman is assaulted at Christmastime in Ottawa, where the spectre of anti-Semitism is still looming large post-World War II. 

Shizuye Takashima, Tundra Books

The author reflects on how her family and thousands of other Japanese Canadians were forced to live in internment camps during the Second World War. 

Christopher Paul Curtis, Scholastic Canada

In 1860, 11-year-old Elijah, a black boy born into freedom in Ontario, embarks on a journey to America, where he sees the horrors of slavery. 

Deborah Ellis, Groundwood Books

In the first book of a trilogy, 11-year-old Parvana must disguise herself as a boy so she can earn money for her poverty-stricken family in Afghanistan. 

Farley Mowat, Emblem Editions

Most kids want a pet, but what happens when your menagerie includes a pesky owl who terrorizes the neighbourhood? 

Joy Kogawa, Ruth Ohi, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Told through a child’s eyes, this is the story of a Japanese-Canadian family torn apart after being separated and forced to live in internment camps during WWII.

Kit Pearson, Puffin

Living with a poor and irresponsible mother leaves Theo dreaming of life with a different family. 

Jean Little, Scholastic Canada

Nine-year-old Anna is awkward and clumsy—how will she ever learn English and adjust to life in Canada after her family escapes Nazi Germany?

Pamela Porter, Groundwood Books

After a farming accident, Emaline’s family is in shambles. To everyone’s initial dismay, her mother hires a man with mental health issues to tend the fields. 

Janet Lunn, Seal Books

Mary, a telepathic pioneer girl from Upper Canada, embarks on a quest to save her cousin from the battlefield. 

Barbara Smucker, Puffin

In the 1800s, two enslaved girls are offered an escape from the States to Canada via the Underground Railway, but slave catchers are hot on their trail. 

Sharon E. McKay, Puffin

No one expects that weak, club-footed Charlie will amount to much. He aims to prove them wrong by becoming an ace fisherman, but the boat he stows away on is actually headed to a World War I battlefield in France.

 L.M. Montgomery, Tundra Books

Emily Starr’s world is shattered with the death of her father. Now she’ll have to start fresh in a new place with her stern aunt and cruel classmates. 

Gordon Korman, Scholastic Canada

Boots and Bruno attend a prestigious school for boys. The headmaster splits the two boys up, but they’re determined to room together again.

Iain Lawrence, Yearling Books

An evil village prays for shipwrecks so they can loot the remains. Fourteen-year-old John survives a wreck—but can he survive the villagers?

Eric Walters, Puffin

Troubled Winston accompanies his journalist father to the East Coast to cover a story about a man who plans to run across Canada. When the article sparks interest across the country, Terry Fox becomes a household name.

Roy MacGregor, Tundra Books

Hockey’s greatest trophy is in danger. Will the Screech Owls hockey team be able to save it? 

Richard Scrimger, Tundra Books

Alan is bullied at school, until an alien from Jupiter lands in his nose and teaches him how to stick up for himself. 

Jonathan Auxier, Puffin

Orphaned siblings are sent to a creepy English manor to be servants. It doesn’t take long for them to discover this eerie house has some dark secrets.

Kit Pearson, HarperTrophy

In 1932, two sisters are sent from Manitoba to British Columbia to live with their grandmother. But the girls have a big secret—will they be able to hold it in and adjust to their new lives?

Read more: 8 best Canadian books for babies and toddlers
36 best Canadian books for preschoolers
30 best Canadian books for little kids