Wilson has recorded the work of British explorer John Rae. The Hudson Bay Company hired Rae as a doctor, but his skills as an outdoors person helped him survive the harsh conditions. In 1845, the British government entrusted Rae to discover the Northwest Passage after the failed Franklin expedition. Where Franklin met with adversity and death, Rae learned from the Inuit the skills and techniques necessary to survive. Information regarding the story of the fateful Franklin expedition is reported. The visual maps, pictures and headings make the content accessible.
This book was a finalist in 2004 for the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction.

A blend of fact and fiction, this novel highlights Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope's ability to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. A young, troubled boy accompanies his newspaper-columnist father to the marathon. Inspired by the Canadian hero's courage and determination, the young boy quickly befriends Fox. The boy's newfound friendship is then threatened by his father's exploitive article.
Endorsed by the Terry Fox Foundation, this drama enlightens readers to one of Canada's unforgettable heroes.

This book introduces a seldom-told aspect of Canada's history. Tracing history from over 400 years ago, this illustrated book tells the story of the men and women who fought oppression and discrimination against Black Canadians. Whether it was slavery in New France, the Underground Railroad, prairie settlers or the modern celebrations of Caribbean heritage, the story of Black Canadians will interest students as they discover a new element of their country's history.
An index and a timeline are included.

Set in 1915, William's mother feels that her son is socializing with the wrong crowd and is headed for trouble. In an attempt to turn this around, she has arranged for William to spend his summer working for an inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, on a hydrofoil boat. The boat is to assist the Allies in defending coastal waters against the Germans. William expects the summer to be boring, but the few months turn out to be action-packed as he and his co-workers get involved in a frightening mystery. The reader gets a good sense of what life was like during this time as well as some insights into the historical context of Bell's inventions.

This addition to Canadian children's literature tells the story of Mina, whose grandfather has come from India to live with her family. Mina has conflicting feelings about her grandfather's move, which are intensified when a classmate sneers at her grandfather's accent at a school open house. Mina vows to get revenge, but her wise grandfather intervenes at the crucial moment, and Mina comes to an awareness of herself and other people. The first-person narrative portrays a contemporary East Indian family in North America.

Henri, a quiet and sickly choirboy, chronicles the events of the previous year when the Black Plague struck France and a street urchin arrived at the abbey. Although astonished by the waif's outlandish antics and angelic voice, Henri is drawn into a needed friendship with the boy. The two boys accompany a troupe of monks, called A Company of Fools, who entertain the sufferers of the plague. During a performance, Micah's voice is believed to have cured a sick child. Micah is revered by the Parisians and his inflated ego results in a horrific tragedy.
The diagram of the abbey, a map indicating the spread of the Plague, a glossary and a historical note provide additional information about 14th century medieval Europe.

Twelve-year-old Selina Palmer is growing up in the Halifax community of Africville. Selina is the only black child in her class and daily endures discrimination from her classmates. One girl in particular, Doreen, bullies her relentlessly because of her race. Selina makes one friend, Rosalind, and is hurt when Rosalind's mother forbids their friendship. Selina's refuge is her home in Africville, where she is surrounded by the love and warmth of her family and community. The city of Halifax does not see these strengths in the community. It sees only the dilapidated houses, the lack of plumbing and the crowded conditions. It becomes obvious that the city is going to destroy Africville and that the tight-knit community will be scattered.
One strength of this novel is its portrayal of the effects of discrimination - the daily humiliations, the lack of opportunity and the sense of powerlessness.
The Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Willow Awards Committee nominated Last Days in Africville for the 2005 Diamond Willow Award.

In 1941, Ben Friedman flees Nazi Germany with his family. He leaves behind his grandparents, his friends and his home. Eventually settling in Seattle, Ben starts to hope that he will finally be safe. He becomes friends with John, a Japanese-American teen, but then the attack on Pearl Harbour occurs. Ben begins to fear that the horror of war is happening all over again. Will he ever be safe? What should he do? Is Canada a safe haven for Ben? Ben will eventually find out that running away from his fears will not solve anything.

Rosie in New York City: Gotcha! presents a fictionalized version of an 11-year-old girl's participation in the New York shirtwaist-makers' strike of 1909-1910. When Rosie's mother falls ill, Rosie takes her place at the shirtwaist factory sewing sleeves. Working conditions are terrible. The workers are fined for talking, injuries are common and the bathrooms are filthy. A similar situation exists in many clothing factories in New York. Soon there is talk of forming a union to work for better conditions.
The novel accurately depicts the deplorable working conditions that led up to the strike, the courage of the women who participated in the strike and the harsh measures used to put down the strike and prevent the creation of unions. This story takes place in a part of New York that is predominantly Jewish.

Aram has survived the Armenian genocide in Turkey and now lives in an orphanage in Greece. Aram can never return home. He finds out that he is one of 50 boys selected to immigrate to Canada. All he knows about Canada is that there is snow, plenty to eat and no war. Aram has also heard that the trees are covered in gold. All he has to do is pluck the gold off the branches and he will have enough money to bring his grandmother to Canada. Readers will enjoy Aram's adventures as he travels to this new land that he can finally call home.
Aram's Choice was shortlisted for the 2007 Silver Birch Express through the Canadian Children's Book Centre.