Loan Stars is the readers’ advisory tool that allows libraries across Canada to indicate popular upcoming titles. Using LibraryData, the library data aggregation service, the forthcoming titles with the most orders become Loan Stars top picks!
The January Loan Stars Junior Canadian top 10 list features ten books that have at least one author, illustrator, translator, or editor (in the case of an edited collection of material) who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
You can see each book and find out a bit more about them in the list below, or you can download our poster if you want to display it, say in your library or on social media (tag us: @LoanStars!). You can also view these titles on CataList in this catalogue.
January 2024 Junior Canadian List
Loan Stars top pick:
Kaiah’s Garden
by Melanie Florence 🍁, Illus. by Karlene
Harvey 🍁
9781443190251 | Family
Description:
As she wakes up one dull morning, Kaiah feels as cold and grey as the day. She longs to be with her grandmother again. Kaiah’s life doesn’t feel right without her. But through Kaiah’s treasured bead box — and the beauty it holds — she is with her grandmother, in a garden that is full of colour and love.
This beautiful story from award-winning author Melanie Florence celebrates the universal love between grandmother and child. Featuring bright, breathtaking illustrations from Tsilhqot’in and Syilx artist Karlene Harvey, the book also features back matter about the Indigenous tradition of beading.
Night of the Living Zed
by Basil Sylvester 🍁 & Kevin Sylvester 🍁
9781443469203 | Action & Adventure
Description:
Zed and Gabe are back to their treasure-hunting, literary-sleuthing ways in this spooky new adventure!
After some lacklustre cases involving lost books and a missing pet, the two friends have finally come across a mystery worth their attention: the secrets of Glyndebourne Manor, haunted home of a late, great opera designer. Every twenty-five years, the Manor hosts a challenge. You have three days and two nights to solve the puzzles in each room before the stroke of midnight. If you leave, you forfeit the game. If you solve the puzzles in time, you win a huge pile of money.
Simple enough, thinks Zed. They and Gabe are interested in all things ghoulish. And if they win, they will be able to give their friends Sam and Jo the large wedding they deserve. There’s only one problem: no one has been able to stay in the house for more than a single night.
Cue a whirlwind of scary ghosts, moving walls and cryptic letters. The two friends are going to need some help. Which means figuring out who the mysterious figure holding a crowbar is. And how to get out of a room with no doors! But thanks to Zed’s fearless enthusiasm and Gabe’s encyclopedic knowledge of theatre, they might be able to survive and maybe even right some past wrongs.
Angela’s Glacier
by Jordan Scott 🍁, Illus. by Diana Sudyka
9780823450824 | Social Themes
Description:
Angela listened to the glacier; the glacier listened to Angela.
As soon as she’s born, Angela’s father introduces her to her glacier. He carries her on his back up the icy expanse as the wind makes music of the snow and the water underneath. Over time, Angela gets big enough to walk beside him, and then, to go alone. She tells her glacier everything, and it answers.
But then, life gets busy. Angela’s days fill up with school, homework, violin and soccer and friends. Until one day, Angela’s heart doesn’t sound right anymore. Luckily, Angela’s dad is there to remind her what she needs: a visit to her ancient icy friend.
From the Schneider Family and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award-winning author of I Talk Like a River, Angela’s Glacier is a moving story about growing up without losing yourself, loving nature, and allowing it to love you in return. Diana Sudyka’s breathtaking artwork pulls the reader into a world of warm hugs from shining blue-green ice— and from dad, too.
Buffalo Fluffalo
by Bess Kalb, Illus. by Erin Kraan 🍁
9780593564530 | Social Themes
Description:
Buffalo Fluffalo arrives on the scene puffed up with self-importance. Stomping around and raising billows of dust, Buffalo Fluffalo proclaims his superiority to the other creatures—the ram, the prairie dog, and the crow—who just want to be his friend. So Buffalo Fluffalo, who has had enuffalo, heads off to grumble to himself. Suddenly, a rain shower pours down from the clouds and—what’s this? All of his fluffalo is a soggy mess! There Fluffalo stands, a drenched pip-squeak without his disguise. The other animals, who could see through Fluffalo’s bravado from the start, circle around to comfort him. As prairie dog says with a smile in his eyes, You’re great how you are, no matter your size.
Readers will find Buffalo Fluffalo’s insecurity endearing and will be moved to reassure him. This humorous and delightful book encourages self-acceptance with a lighthearted touch.
Still My Tessa
by Sylv Chiang 🍁, Illus. by Mathias Ball 🍁
9781443196239 | Family
Description:
A gently affirming story of the connection between siblings.
Evelyn is worried about Tessa. Tessa doesn’t want to play the same games they used to play together, but Evelyn is determined to find new ways to connect with her older sibling. And she is also learning to see Tessa as non-binary and using new pronouns for them. Evelyn learns quickly that it isn't hard. and helps others see that too.
Through the course of this heartfelt story, Evelyn reaffirms her connection to her sibling and shows those around them how to make the effort to support Tessa — with love.
The War of the Witches
by Zetta Elliott 🍁, Illus. by Cherise Harris
9780593648629 | Fantasy & Magic
Description:
Jaxon could never have imagined the adventure that would start with an old witch called Ma and three baby dragons shipped to Brooklyn. Ever since he returned the dragons to the magical realm of Palmara, Jax has searched for a way for humans and magical creatures to live in harmony. But despite his efforts, an ancient monster has been released. The Scourge has defeated the powerful Guardian of Palmara and set its sights on the human realm.
It takes just one stray spark to ignite a war. With the Scourge now free to move between realms, the witches are preparing for battle. Can Jax and his friends put the flames out before it’s too late? Or will magic disappear from the world forever?
Don’t Trust Cats
by Dev Petty, Illus. by Mike Boldt 🍁
9780593706787 | Animals
Description:
Chip has been described as very smart and also a dog. And because he’s a very good boy, he’s going to share his tips on how to live your best life, namely: Don’t trust cats. Not even the little, fluffy ones with big eyes. Nohow, no meow.
Trust the squirrel you always chase, trust grandpa (sure, he cheats at cards but he always has treats), and trust that skunk (he seems nice. What could possibly go wrong?). Do NOT trust cats, especially not Mittens.
In this fabulously funny pet story, dog AND cat lovers will enjoy seeing their own fur-friends in Chip’s earnest yet ridiculous guide to life.
Gravity Is Bringing Me Down
by Wendelin Van Draanen, Illus. by Cornelia Li 🍁
9780593375921 | Humorous Stories
Description:
When Leda wakes up by falling out of bed, she knows that gravity is in a very bad mood. Again.
Sure enough, she struggles with stumbles and bumbles at home, trips and blips on the bus, and bashes and crashes in the classroom. But a lesson on gravity helps her understand what’s really going on. And after a visit to a science center, Leda’s mood is lifted…just in time for her to tumble—happily!—into bed.
With a very funny text from award-winner Wendelin Van Draanen and bright, bouncy illustrations from Cornelia Lia, Gravity is Bringing Me Down makes it hilariously clear how this science concept impacts kids’ lives every day.
Meet Clara Hughes
by Elizabeth MacLeod 🍁, Illus. by Mike Deas 🍁
9781443197724 | Biography & Autobiography
Description:
Meet Clara Hughes — athlete, Olympic medalist and mental health advocate. Clara is still the only person in the world to ever win multiple medals at both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. But perhaps her biggest accomplishment is the work she has done to help others.
Growing up in Winnipeg, Clara liked sports. She wasn’t a top athlete and was headed down a bad path until the fateful day she watched speed skater Gaétan Boucher compete at the 1988 Winter Games. Clara decided she would do that too. It was to be a life-changing decision, one that set her on a course of training, competing and winning at the Olympic level in not just one but TWO sports. But as the world was cheering her on, Clara didn’t feel right inside. She finally realized that winning all the medals in the world wouldn’t make her okay — she had to work as hard on her mental health as she did on her training. Maybe even harder.
Super Friends! (Simon and Chester Book #4)
by Cale Atkinson 🍁
9781774880012 | Comics & Graphic Novels
Description:
Welcome to the world of Simon and Chester, ghost and boy duo extraordinaire.
Chester lives with his Grandma, his cat Mr. Pickles and Simon the ghost. Simon and Chester are best friends. Their attic is the location for some of the best activities known to humankind: making up songs about passersby, acting out scenes from Simon’s exciting Dr. Darington novels and creating the incredible Treat-A-Matic snack dispenser.
But Chester has also befriended a non-ghost named Amie, and she is coming over to work on their science fair project. Amie has a surprising idea for this project, and Simon and Chester’s friendship will be put to the test as a result. Will Simon behave? Will Amie come between the two friends? Will an invisible Simon make fart noises that Chester has to explain? All will be revealed.
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The BISAC to Thema translator has been updated.