The Vimy Oaks

The Vimy Oaks
Author: Linda Granfield
Publisher: Scholastic Canada
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2017
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1443148504

An act of hope and renewal amidst the destruction of war provides a living memorial, in time for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge Imagine, a young soldier standing in the midst of a landscape ravaged by war, pocketing a handful of acorns from the blasted trees, and posting them home. In April 1917, after the Battle at Vimy Ridge, Leslie H. Miller - a teacher, a farmer, and a soldier with the Canadian Expeditionary Force--did just that. Over the following one hundred years, those acorns became majestic oaks, standing at the site of Miller's family farm in Ontario. Vimy Ridge is considered Canada's greatest First World War victory, although its toll was devastating. This moving book, filled with beautiful artwork, and archival photos contextualizes a Canadian soldier's experience in the Great War while highlighting this extraordinary gesture of hope and renewal. Now, a century later, the results of this simple act have created a living memorial to those who served.

Part of Life Itself

Part of Life Itself
Author: Leslie Howard Miller
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2023-11-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 1487518951

This extensively annotated wartime diary illuminates the military service of Leslie Howard Miller (1889–1979), a Canadian soldier who served in the First World War. Miller joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in 1914. In his off-duty hours, he kept this extraordinarily eloquent diary of his training, deployment overseas, service on the Western Front, and periods of leave in the United Kingdom. Graham Broad, working from a transcription of the diary produced by Miller’s family, includes a thorough introduction and afterword, as well as over 500 notes that situate and explain Miller’s many references to the people, places, and events he encountered. Unpublished for over a century, written in bracing and engaging prose, and illustrated with Miller’s own drawings and unseen photographs, Part of Life Itself illuminates a bygone world and stands as one of Canada’s most important wartime diaries.

Innocent Heroes

Innocent Heroes
Author: Sigmund Brouwer
Publisher: Tundra Books
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2017-02-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1101918462

A unique celebration of the important role animals play in war, and an insightful look at the taking of Vimy Ridge from the perspective of 3 men in a Canadian platoon. Never before have the stories of animal war heroes been collected in such a special way. This book consists of eight connected fictional stories about a Canadian platoon in WW1. The Storming Normans have help from some very memorable animals: we meet a dog who warns soldiers in the trench of a gas attack, a donkey whose stubbornness saves the day, a cat who saves soldiers from rat bites, and many more. Each story is followed by nonfiction sections that tell the true story of these animals from around the world and of the Canadian soldiers who took Vimy Ridge. Through the friendship that grows between three of these soldiers in particular, we get a close-up look at life in the trenches, the taking of Vimy Ridge, the bonds between soldiers and their animals and what it meant to be Canadian in WW1.

Summer's End

Summer's End
Author: Joel A. Sutherland
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2017-03-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1443139327

One terrifying summer can stay with you forever. It’s the summer before high school and Jacob and his friends are determined to make it a memorable one. This may be the last couple of months they have together; once school starts, they’ll be going their separate ways. Ichiro’s family is moving to Japan. And while Jacob and the twins, Hayden and Hannah, are staying behind in Valeton, they’ll be going to different high schools. When they discover an old abandoned home on a remote island of their Muskoka community, things suddenly take an unexpected turn. The kids find themselves inexplicably drawn to the house that had once been a sanatorium for children with tuberculosis and learn that it has some haunting secrets to hide.

Canada Close Up: Canadian Government

Canada Close Up: Canadian Government
Author: Elizabeth MacLeod
Publisher:
Total Pages: 66
Release: 2013-04
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1443119652

Who's in charge here, anyway? Canadian Government takes a close-up look at how our country is run at all levels -- from federal politics in Ottawa to provincial politics and down to the municipal level. Readers meet some famous Canadian politicians and learn the structure and function of different governing bodies, what it means to be a constitutional monarchy, and why it's important for citizens to vote. This Canada Close Up title includes a table of contents, index and helpful glossary of terms. With concise, engaging text and bright, full-colour photographs throughout, Canadian Government shows young readers all the ways they can be involved in government -- at any age.

Brave Like My Brother

Brave Like My Brother
Author: Marc Tyler Nobleman
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Total Pages: 64
Release: 2016-06-28
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0545880378

The action of WWII comes alive in this chapter book through American soldier Joe's letters home to his younger brother, Charlie! When Charlie's brother, Joe, is called up to fight in World War II, he promises to write letters to ten-year-old Charlie as often as he can. It won't make up for not being there to help Charlie out with the neighborhood bullies, but it's all Joe can do. Life is tough for a soldier, and Joe tells Charlie all about it, from long hikes in endless rain and mud to the stray dog his company adopts. But when Joe is sent on a secret mission with the one soldier he can't stand, he will have to face risks that place their mission -- and their lives -- in grave danger. Charlie knew his brother was strong, but he will discover that Joe is more of a hero than he lets on. Will Joe's letters give Charlie the strength to stand up for himself and be brave, too?

A Bear in War

A Bear in War
Author: Stephanie Innes
Publisher: Pajama Press Inc.
Total Pages: 22
Release: 2012-09-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 1927485126

During World War One, a young girl slips her teddy bear into a care package for her father, a medic posted to the trenches of France. Although her father dies in the battle of Passchendaele, his belongings are shipped back to his family, along with the toy bear, which today sits in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. In 1915, 37-year-old Lawrence Browning Rogers enlisted in the Fifth Canadian Mounted Rifles, leaving behind his wife, two children, and their farm in East Farnham, Quebec. Over the next two and a half years, the family exchanged hundreds of letters, and daughter Aileen sent her beloved Teddy overseas to keep her father safe. Teddy returned home safely, but Lieutenant Rogers did not. He was killed in the battle of Passchendaele. Eighty-five years later, Lawrence's granddaughter found Teddy, the letters, and other war memorabilia packed away in a briefcase. And she discovered a moving story of one family's love and sacrifice - a story shared by the families of so many soldiers who have lost their lives in the defense of their country. Accompanied by family photographs and Brian Deines' poignant art, A Bear in War is more than one family's testament to a brave soldier. It is a gentle introduction to war, to Remembrance Day, and to the honor of those who have served their countries.

The Road to Afghanistan

The Road to Afghanistan
Author: Linda Granfield
Publisher: Scholastic Canada
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2013-08
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1443113565

A moving tribute to all the soldiers who have served with the Canadian Forces. A young soldier just returned from Afghanistan has many memories: the beauty of the mountains and wildflowers, the colours of land and sky . . . but also the tragedy that war has brought to that ravaged country and those who fought there. Memories shift to another soldier in the family -- great-grandfather's years in the trenches during WWI, and then grandfather's tour of duty during WWII. The young soldier also remembers those who did not return alive, but travelled home along the Highway of Heroes, honoured by silent observers. In this timely new book aimed at a younger audience than most, award-winning author and noted war historian Linda Granfield delivers a moving and honest portrayal of military service. Complemented by poignant, evocative artwork by acclaimed illustrator Brian Deines, this book is sure to provide insight and to inspire pride in families all across Canada.

Even More Lesser Spotted Animals

Even More Lesser Spotted Animals
Author: Martin Brown
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Total Pages: 56
Release: 2019-07-30
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1338495259

Approachable and funny, Even More Lesser Spotted Animals combines the humor and verve of Sandra Markle with the gorgeous presentation of picture books from Steve Jenkins and Diana Aston. Just as Lesser Spotted Animals showed you some of the wonderfully WOW wildlife we never get to see, the next book of the lesser known animal kingdom reveals the stories of even more of the world's unseen and unsung creatures. No king-of-the-jungle, fancy-pants, hair necked lions here -- we've got the magnificent maned wolf instead. No blue whales either, we've got beaked whales -- and lorises and dingisos and dibatags and many, many more.

Canada's Natural Wonders

Canada's Natural Wonders
Author: Joanne Richter
Publisher: Scholastic Canada
Total Pages: 72
Release: 2008-03
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 9780545997805

Discover fantastic landmarks from coast to coast! Canada is a large, diverse and beautiful country. This latest book in the Canada Close Up series focuses on the history of many unique and well-known Canadian geographical landmarks, and the processes that shaped them. This book is crammed full of fun and interesting facts that will keep children entertained as they learn about: Niagara Falls The Rocky Mountains Mount Logan The Alberta Badlands The Bay of Fundy Mount Logan Gros Morne National Park Barnes Ice Cap The Athabasca Sand Dunes Manicouagan Crater