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Books We're Waiting For: Spring 2013 Preview for Kids and Teens

All the best books for teens and young readers in Spring 2013.

Book Cover Oy Feh So

The Silent Summer of Kyle McGinley is a new teen novel by celebrated author Jan Andrews, the story of a young man caught in the foster care system who with a new placement finally glimpses the possibilities of change. Saskatchewan writer Robert Currie's latest is the YA novel Living with the Hawk, a tale of a family torn apart by experiences that read like news headlines. Rachelle Delaney's new novel is The Metro Dogs of Moscow, the follow-up to the much acclaimed The Ship of Lost Souls. Cary Fagan is back with two books, the picture book Oy, Feh, So?, illustrated by Gary Clement, about siblings who push the limits of their imposing relatives' Sunday visits, and also the novel Danny Who Fell in a Hole about a boy who finds himself stranded at the bottom of a giant construction hole.

Book Cover Where Do you Look?

Alma Fullerton's Community Soup is her second picture book, and the first she has illustrated, about a group of Kenyan school-children working together to harvest the vegetables they have grown. Children's literacy advocate Joyce Grant releases her first picture book, Gabby, illustrated by Jan Dolby, about a young girl who discovers what extraordinary things can be created from letters. Cat Comes Too and Dog Comes Too are new board books by Hazel Hutchins. And a new book by Marthe Jocelyn is always an event, this new one created with Nell Jocelyn, called Where Do You Look?

When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, with illustrations by Gabrielle Grimard, is a new version of the memoir Fatty Legs, created for younger readers, about a young girl's determination and the power of reading. The Dark, a new book by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by the always-amazing Jon Klassen. And speaking of amazing, Monica Kulling has a new book out about Mister Dash, Mister Dash and the Cupcake Calamity, illustrated by Esperanca Melo. Andrew Larsen publishes his fourth picture book, In the Tree House, illustrated by Dusan Petricic, about an unusual summer night and a special tree house.

Book Cover Mr. Flux

On Fire is a YA novel by Dianne Linden, whose 2008 book Shimmerdogs was a finalist for the 2008 Governor General's Award for Children's Literature. Every Never After is a new book by Lesley Livingston, part of a series described as "Chick lit meets Druid blood curses"—fun! Nix Minus One is a novel in verse by the award-winning Jill MacLean, which has already garnered great reviews. And a new picture book by Kyo Maclear, whose Virginia Wolf was one of the top-rated picture books of 2012: Mr Flux is illustrated by Matte Stephens, and is about an eccentric neighbour whose ideas are influenced by the 1960s' Fluxus art movement. Sharon McKay's novel War Brothers appears as a graphic novel, illustrated by Daniel Lafrance.

Seeing Red is a new book by Robert Munsch and Michael Martechenko, a story about surefire ways to get yourself a head of flaming red hair. The Fall is the latest from Colleen Nelson, whose Tori By Design won a 2012 Manitoba Book Award. Barbara Reid has a new one, the lovely Welcome Baby, described as a "love letter to babies and their families." Former UK Children's Laureate Michael Rosen has written a new version of Aesop's Fables, with illustrations by Talleen Hacikyan. Olive Senior's latest picture book is Anna Carries Water, illustrated by Laura James.

Book Cover A Long Way Away

Actor turned award-winning-writer Meg Tilly has a new novel called A Taste of Heaven.  We're excited about In Lucia's Neighbourhood by Pat Shewchuk and Market Colek, a love letter to city life based on the animated film Montrose Avenue. Suzanne Sutherland makes her debut with When We Were Good, a YA novel about girls, guitars and the Bloor Viaduct. Vikki Van Sickle completes her trilogy with a new novel, Days That End in Y. A Long Way Away is a new picture book from award-winning Canadian graphic artist Frank Viva. And finally, Robert Paul Weston, who won a heap of honours with Zorgamazoo, has a new book called Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff.