By Alya Somar
The FOLD has called Brampton home since the first festival in 2016. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of highlighting local talent from the Brampton community. For May’s reading challenge, we encourage you to dive into the world of children’s literature, plucked right from “The Flower City”. Brampton has a rich literary scene with quality books for readers at all stages of development from picture books to young adult. Supporting local talent has always mattered to the FOLD, and this will continue to be the case for years to come.
1) Fighting Words by Leonarda Carranza and illustrated by Erika Medina (Picture Book)
The award-winning author of Abuelita and Me explores the power of language in this energetic, imaginative picture book that takes readers on a wild word chase.
When Ali’s cousin rips his favorite book, angry words explode out of him. The words are so angry, they come to life! They tease Ama, wreak havoc on their abuelita’s home, and crash through the neighborhood. Ali didn’t mean to hurt anyone, but now that the words are on the loose, it’s up to him to catch them—and to repair the damage they’ve done.
Acclaimed illustrator Erika Medina brings Ali’s word monsters to life in this fun and fast-paced exploration of anger, accountability, and resolving conflict.
2) The Mask That Sang by Susan Currie (Middle Grade)
An inheritance from a mysterious relative sets off a chain of events that will change Cass’s life forever.
Cass and her mom have always stood on their own against the world. Then Cass learns she had a grandmother, one who was never part of her life, one who has just died and left her and her mother the first house they could call their own. But with it comes more questions than answers: Why is her Mom so determined not to live there? Why was this relative kept so secret? And what is the unusual mask, forgotten in a drawer, trying to tell her? Strange dreams, strange voices, and strange incidents all lead Cass closer to solving the mystery and making connections she never dreamed she had.
3) Hacking Heartbreak by Kevin heronJones (Young Adult)
After hacking the social media accounts of his crush, Baron is in a race against the clock to fix the mess he made and save her from serious consequences.
Baron is a computer whiz with a passion for hacking and when the girl of his dreams starts taking an interest in him, he all but short circuits. Keyanna sees their dates as more casual than the love-struck Baron, but everything seems to be going well. When he sees her on a date with another guy, Baron hacks her school and social media accounts, angry and hurt.
As jealousy fades and reality sets in, Baron realizes the seriousness of his action. Knowing regret will never be enough, Baron races against the clock to fix his mess.
Kevin heronJones’s latest is another realistic, authentic depiction of the life of a Black youth in Canada. Set in Brampton, Hacking Heartbreak is a story about the intensity of first love and learning to live with the consequences of your actions.
