Kindergarten to Grade 2

• It Fell From the Sky by The Fan Brothers
• Field Trip to the Ocean Deep by John Hare
• Be Quiet by Ryan T. Higgins
• Norman Didn't Do It by Ryan T. Higgins
• Fox in a Box by Eva Klassen
• Hidden Treasure by Elly MacKay
• On the Trapline by David A. Robertson, ill. by Julie Flett
• The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer, ill. by Mariachiara Di Giorgio
• Unicorns Are The Worst by Alex Willan
• Dragons Are The Worst by Alex Willan

Grade 3–5

• Sunny Days Inside by Caroline Adderson  
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
• The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson (for MY too!)
• ​The Great Bear by David A. Robertson (for MY too!)
• Hockey Super Six series by Kevin Sylvester

Grade 6–8

• Focused by Alyson Gerber (for SY too!)
• Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
• Punching Bag by Rex Ogle
• Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
• Barry Squires, Full Tilt by Heather Smith
• The Fabulous Zed Watson by Basil Sylvester & Kevin Sylvester

​
Grade 9–12

• The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
• Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimaline
• Faith Taking Flight by Julie Murphy
• Faith Greater Heights by Julie Murphy
• The Girl From the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
• When You Get The Chance by Tom Ryan 
  
• The Stone Rainbow by Liane Shaw

Books for Adults

• The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen
• This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankle
• Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
  
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
• Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
• Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen
• The Strangers by Katherena Vermette

​
Professional Reads

• South Asian Adventures with the Active Poor by Gem Munro – Short stories about life in Bangladesh and how Canadian charity Amtrak Society came to be. 
• Shifting the Balance by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates – Hot read on adjusting teaching practices in response to research about how children learn to read. A must for EY teachers and specialists. ​

Here are some book suggestions for Summer Reading that explore Indigenous perspectives written by Indigenous authors. Support your local public library and bookseller! 

Sandra Janzen, a reading clinician and Manitoba Council of Reading Clinicians (MCRC) representative to our provincial Manitoba Reading Association (MRA), and I have been previewing these for an MRA project in inner-city schools. Sandra made the original selection at our local bookstore. As I quickly previewed the books, I became so excited. I wanted to read and share each book with other readers and educators. So this summer, I hope to do a more in-depth reading of these picture books and graphic novels with my grandsons and their cousins at the cabin.

As I quickly previewed the books, I was so tempted to think about ways the books could be used in classrooms, at various levels. Some may be great choices for future read alouds or literature circles in your classrooms, at different levels. Older students can do an in-depth genre study of some of these picture books and graphic novels. Some readers could also practise these books to build confidence and fluency so they can share the books in performance reading, as guest readers/volunteers for a practicum or simple prearranged visit to a nearby elementary school in the future. This could become a collaborative, I Love to Read month project February.

Most of these books are also beautifully illustrated and provide thought-provoking images. They evoke a range of emotions, thoughts, and discussions. These illustrations deserve further study, as we look more in-depth at the powerful representation by the artists. Some of the illustrators are also award-winning Indigenous artists.

​

• Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola I. Campbell; illustrated by Carrielynn Victor. This book will prepare you for summer walks in nature with children and discuss what they see and hear. They can learn new names for familiar animals in two Indigenous languages ​
• Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel. This book explores the importance of totem animals in Anishinaabe culture. You might discuss how animals can also act as animal guides for young children who seek to understand others and themselves. Talk about which totem animal you and the children might be. 
• Go Show the World by Wab Kinew; illustrated by Joe Morse. This book is written as a rap that briefly highlights the important achievements of several famous Indigenous people. You could explore other popular raps for different ages and stages. The book also includes mini-biographies that could launch more in depth biographies in your classroom. Great book for a thematic study of heroes and sheroes. 

• The Most Amazing Bird by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak; ilustrated by Andrew Qappel. A story written by a famous Inuit author. Exploring his work would be a good introduction to prepare for a summer visit to Qaumajuq, the new Inuit art centre at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. ​
• When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Julie Flett (Governor General's Literacy Award Winners). This book is a powerful story about residential schools. It may evoke many complex emotions and experiences.
• On the Trapline by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Julie Flett. David returns to his grandfather’s trap line with him one last time. So much to learn on the land. Remember we need to explore the land as text this summer.
• Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith. This is a beautifully illustrated book about a young jingle dancer who is keeping her community’s traditions.

​

• Siwa Tooskin Knows The Nature of Life and Siwa Tooskin Knows the Strength of His Hair by Charlene Bearhead and Wilson Bearhead; illustrated by Chloe Bluebird Mustooch. This series explores how the character Siwa Tooskin discovers the origins of many things in his culture. These are two books in a beautifully illustrated series about an 11-year-old Nakota boy, in a contemporary setting, who is exploring important aspects of his culture. This series could be explored in a class Literature Circle.
• The Case of Windy Lake by Michael Hutchison. This is part of a mystery series for middle school students (tweens). Be prepared, some readers will be motivated to read the rest of the series. ​
• The Scout: Tommy Prince by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Scott B. Henderson. One of several powerful biographies of famous Indigenous people. There is a street named for Tommy Prince in the North End of Winnipeg. The books in the series are presented as graphic novels and appeal to many students. There is also a teacher study guide for this series written by Winnipeg teacher and scholar Katya Adamov Ferguson.​
• A Girl Called Echo, Volume 1: Pemmican Wars by Katherena Vermette; illustrated by Scott B. Henderson, colour by Donovan Yaciuk. This is the first volume of a graphic novel mystery series that focuses on a heroine called Echo. Middle school readers may be eager to read more about Echo and complete the series. 
• For a short, powerful book of poetry for mature high school and adult readers, consider North End Love Songs by Katherene Vermette. She was the Governor General's Literacy Award Winner for this collection of poetry about life in Winnipeg’s famous North End.

​
These books are informal reading suggestions for your consideration this summer and are not in any preferential order.

​Enjoy your summer reading with your family! ​