Kim’s Convenience is a play that follows the lives of the Kimfamily, first-generation Korean immigrants running a conveniencestore in Toronto’s Regent Park. Mr. Kim (Appa) is determined tosecure his family’s future through the store, hoping his daughterJanet will take over the business. However, Janet dreams of acareer in photography and resists her father’s wishes. Meanwhile,the […]

Smugglers’ Fox is a coming-of-age novel that follows Jonah andhis younger brother Rio, who have always relied on each other,especially during their mother’s unpredictable absences. Whentheir mother disappears after an incident at the beach, socialservices decide to separate the boys, sending Jonah to live with afoster carer named Mimi in Robin Hood’s Bay. Jonah is […]

The Social Dilemma is a documentary that explores the profoundimpact of social media on individuals and society. Through ablend of dramatized narrative and interviews with formeremployees of major tech companies like Facebook, Google, andInstagram, the film uncovers how social media platforms usesophisticated algorithms to maximize user engagement, often atthe expense of mental health, privacy, and […]

This graphic novel tells the story of Ebo, a twelve-year-old boy from a small African village. When Ebo’s brother and sister both set out on the journey to Europe in search of safety and a better life, Ebo follows, determined not to be left behind. His epic journey takes him across the Sahara Desert, through the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and onto the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Illegal addresses contemporary issues such as forced migration, human trafficking, and the refugee crisis. The story is inspired by real events and provides a resource for discussing migration, human rights, and empathy.

Inspired by the true story of an Arctic fox’s extraordinary 2,000-mile migration from Norway to Canada, the book follows Leila as she travels to Norway to reconnect with her estranged mother, a climate scientist. Together, they join an expedition tracking Miso’s perilous trek across the Arctic, a journey driven bythe need to survive in a world altered by climate change. The narrative draws parallels between Miso’s migration and Leila’s own experience fleeing Syria, exploring themes of displacement, resilience, belonging, and the search for home. 

The story follows Ajay, a street child abandoned on the Mumbai railways, who survives by selling newspapers but dreams of becoming a journalist. When Ajay discovers an old printing press, he and his friends launch their own newspaper, The Mumbai Sun. Their reporting leads them to uncover a corrupt scheme by powerful builders and politicians to demolish a neighboring slum, threatening to leave hundreds homeless. This novel addresses themes of ambition, resilience, friendship, and the power of words to create change. It is an excellent resource for exploring social justice and civic responsibility with students aged 8–12. The narrative encourages critical thinking about ethics, corruption, and the role of the media in society. It provides opportunities for discussions on poverty, homelessness, and the importance of community action.

This novel centers on thirteen-year-old Aaliyah, a Muslim girl living in the Midlands whose life changes completely after a terrorist attack at a concert. As anti-Muslim rhetoric and racism surge in her community and school, Aaliyah faces bullying and isolation, but instead of hiding her identity, she chooses towear a hijab for the first time as an act of pride and resistance. When her schoolbans the hijab and intimidation escalates, Aaliyah must find her voice and alliesto stand up against prejudice and fight for her rights and those of others facingdiscrimination. Fight Back addresses themes of identity, racism, Islamophobia, allyship, and resilience in the classroom. 

“The Way Home for Wolf” follows the journey of Wilf, a young wolf cub who is as headstrong as he is adorable. The story begins as Wilf’s wolf pack decides to leave their home in search of better hunting grounds. Confident in his abilities, Wilf insists he doesn’t need anyone’s help. However, when a blizzard separates him from his family, the young wolf finds himself lost in the wilderness. “The Way Home for Wolf” is a tale about growing up and learning to rely on others. It gently teaches children that independence is admirable, but there’s also strength in accepting support when needed.

“The Whale Who Wanted More” follows the adventures of Humphrey, a whale with an insatiable appetite for new experiences. Humphrey swims through the ocean, constantly searching for something to fill a mysterious emptiness he feels inside. He tries various activities and collects an assortment of treasures, but nothing seems to satisfy his longing. The book addresses themes of materialism and the search for fulfillment in a way that’s accessible to young children. It gently encourages readers to look beyond material possessions and find joy in relationships and experiences.

“The Koala Who Could“ tells the story of Kevin, a koala who is afraid of change and prefers to stay in his comfort zone high up in his eucalyptus tree. Kevin’s world is turned upside down when his tree begins to shake, and he’s forced to face his fears. The story follows his journey as he learns to embrace new experiences and overcome his anxieties with the help of his animal friends. “The Koala Who Could” is a tale about personal growth and resilience. It encourages children to step out of their comfort zones and discover the exciting possibilities that await them.

When Donovan tells his mom about the adventure novel they’re reading at school, her reaction comes as a surprise. So what if the two boys in the story talk about loving each other? However, this kickstarts an attempt to ban the assigned book The Adventurers due to “mature” and “inappropriate” content. This storyline is intertwined […]

Robots is an animated science fiction comedy about material values, consumerism, and perseverance. Young robot Rodney Copperbotton follows his dream to become an inventor and leaves his home for the big city to meet his idol Bigweld whose company hires inventors and provides robots with spare parts. Upon arriving, however, Rodney learns that Bigweld has […]

This beautiful story follows the multigenerational Colombian family Madrigal. Similar to the magical house they live in, the children and grandchildren of this family possess magical gifts that they use to help their community. However, granddaughter Mirabel has no magical powers of her own, making her feel inadequate and out of place. When their magical […]

This Black Mirror episode is dealing with helicopter parents, surveillance, the issues with surveillance technology, and the importance of stressful experiences. When little Sara gets lost for a while because she was following a cat, her mother Marie takes her to get an “Arkangel”-implant letting Marie not only access Sarah’s location but also see and […]

The siblings Wendy, John and Michael live with their parents in London’s West End. One night Peter Pan flies through their window and invites them to come with him to Neverland. In this magical realm, they live with a gang of Lost Boys, encounter mermaids and fight against the pirate Captain Hook.

This novella tells the tragic story of a 14-year-old’s death and the impact gang violence has not only on those directly affected, but their loved ones as well. When Jerome is found stabbed and left bleeding on the street, his mother needs answers. But can the hard truth give her the closure she’s looking for? […]

This dystopian short story deals with the definition of justice, justification of killing, killing as entertainment, racial profiling, and also hints at the effect watching acts of violence might have on children. Isaiah works as an actor in an entertainment park where people can buy experiences of committing acts of violence firsthand including gunshots. All […]

The musical drama West Side Story is the recent film adaptation of the stage musical by the same name. Set in 1957, the film tells the story of territorial and personal conflict between two gangs in Manhattan’s West Side. Prior to a planned ‘rumble’ between the Jets and Puerto Rican Sharks, Tony and Maria meet […]