reading challenge Archives

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the December FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: For Our Daughters by Mel Nyoko and Joelle Avelino; Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War by Michel Chikwanine, Jessica Dee Humphreys and Claudia Dávila; Listen, Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied; and Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

December FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: 2024 in Reflection – A book by a Congolese and/or Sudanese author

Nov 30, 2024

by Ardo Omer This year, we introduced a new challenge for December: 2024 in Reflection. This new addition allowed us the flexibility to look back at the year and showcase a conversation that we felt was important to cover. We started the year with reading a book by a Palestinian author and this year, we’ve...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the November FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline; The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmond by Rachel Kehoe, Wanda Robson and Chelsea Charles; and When You Can Swim by Jack Wong. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

November FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: An ACCESSIBLE* book by a marginalized author

Oct 31, 2024

by Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) CELA is a national accessible library service which provides more than 1.4 million titles to people in Canada who have print disabilities. It is estimated that more than 1 in 10 people have a print disability which includes low vision or blindness, learning disabilities, or physical disabilities which...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the October FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: A House Unsettled by Trynne Delaney; Asking for a Friend by Ronnie Riley; and Abolition is Love by Syrus Marcus Ware and illustrated by Alannah Fricker. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

October FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book by a non-binary and/or transgender author

Sep 27, 2024

by Ardo Omer This month’s challenge is a book by a non-binary and/or transgender author. We’re seeing more and more trans and nonbinary authors in the KidLit space and it would be nice to see more in the middle grade/chapter book realm in particular. The books chosen for this month’s recommendations showcase a wide range...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the September FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: Something More by Jackie Khalilieh; Paige Not Found by Jen Wilde; and Too Much by Jolene Gutiérrez and illustrated by Angel Chang. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

September FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book about a neurodivergent character

Aug 31, 2024

This month’s challenge is a book about a neurodivergent character. This includes but is not limited to people with Autism, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Dyslexia, Schizophrenia, DID, Tourette Syndrome, DCD or learning disabilities. In putting together this list, we noticed that Canadian children’s literature needs more books about neurodivergent characters by neurodivergent authors. That...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the August FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad by Natasha Deen; The Antiracist Kitchen edited by Nadia L. Hohn and illustrated by Roza Nozari; Julie and the Mango Tree by Sadé Smith and illustrated by Sayada Ramdial; and Little Black Lives Matter by Khodi Dill and illustrated by Chelsea Charles. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

August FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A novel or book of poetry by a Caribbean author

Jul 24, 2024

By Alexandra Yeboah The Caribbean is made up of many diverse and vibrant cultures, each with their own traditions, music, dishes, festivals and influences. In the region alone, there are people of African, European, Indigenous, Asian, and Middle Eastern decent. Here in Canada, we celebrate the rich heritage of Caribbeans in October, where we are...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the July FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: The Words We Share by Jack Wong; Abuelita and Me by Leonarda Carranza and Rafael Mayani; Let's Go by Julie Flett; Next Door by Deborah Kerbel and illustrated by Isaac Liang. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

July FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book that explores a different language from an independent Canadian press

Jul 1, 2024

By Anita Ragunathan The developmental benefits of multilingualism for children are many and include improved problem-solving, multitasking, and creativity. Children’s publishers have tapped into this market with Dual Language books that encourage young children to read and learn the many languages spoken inside and outside of their households. This selection includes Dual Language picture books...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the June FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: Hopeless in Hope by Wanda John-Kehewin; The Case of the Pilfered Pin by Michael Hutchinson; Auntie’s Rez Surprise by Heather O’Watch, illustrated by Ellie Arscott. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

June FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book by a Cree author

May 31, 2024

By Calyssa Erb June is Indigenous Peoples’ Month and this month, we’re highlighting stories from Cree authors. Cree, or nehiyawak, are the most widespread Indigenous peoples. Their traditional territory spans from Alberta to Quebec. This month, dive into stories of confidence, mystery, and family from Cree authors. 1) Hopeless in Hope by Wanda John-Kehewin...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the May FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani; Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide; The Lion Queen: Rasila Vadher, the First Woman Guardian of the Last Asiatic Lions by Rina Singh, illustrated byTara Anand. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

May FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book based on a true story by a South Asian author

May 1, 2024

By Ardo Omer This month, we’re reading books based on true stories by South Asian authors. Starting us off is The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani which is a middle grade novel inspired by the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan. We have another middle grade novel by Canadian Tina Athaide about the expulsion of the Indian minority...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the April FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur; My Name Is Saajin Singh by Kuljinder Kaur Brar and illustrated by Samrath Kaur; and Kamal's Kes by Baljinder Kaur. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

April FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book by a Sikh Author

Apr 1, 2024

By Rahma Shere Happy spring! For this month, we’re highlighting three books featuring stories by Sikh authors that act as a means of reclaiming identity and healing. In Jasmin Kaur’s sophomore YA novel, If I Tell You The Truth, a mother and daughter find courage and community to heal as they navigate past trauma and fear...

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