Connections come in many forms, and they’re nurtured in many different ways, too. The depth and range of ties among friends, family members, and even non-human animals are illuminated in these moving, fun reads. Angela Ahn’s Team Park explores family approval and overcoming obstacles. Johnnie Christmas’ Gamerville is a timely, vulnerable exploration of the importance of human connection—told through the world of video game championships. Uma Krishnaswami’s Birds on the Brain celebrates the precious relationship between humans and birds, as Reeni tries to save her city’s bird population. Join them for readings and conversation that will get students thinking about the importance of building ties and thinking of others—and support them in finding friendships in unusual places. Grades 4–7. Moderated by Tanya Boteju.
Themes: Middle-grade fiction, friendship, family, sportsmanship, well-being, graphic novel, activism
Curriculum Connections: Physical and Health Education 4-9, English Language Arts 4-7
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ANGELA AHN is a former teacher and librarian. She is the author of several children's books, including Krista Kim-Bap and Peter Lee's Notes from the Field, which was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award and the OLA Silver Birch Award, and was named a USBBY Outstanding International Book. She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her family.
TANYA BOTEJU lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, BC). Part-time, she teaches English to clever and sassy young people. The rest of her time, she uses writing as an excuse to eat pastries. Her debut novel, Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens, was named a Top Ten Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association. Her second novel, Bruised, was selected as a Gold Standard book by the Junior Library Guild. Look for another YA novel, Messy Perfect, and a middle grade nonfiction book about allyship in 2025.
JOHNNIE CHRISTMAS is a #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novelist and author-illustrator of the critically acclaimed middle grade graphic novel Swim Team, which was longlisted for the National Book Award, was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book for Illustration, was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2022, and received a Jane Addams Book Award Honor.
UMA KRISHNASWAMI was born in India. She has written numerous books for young readers, including Look! Look! a picture book about water and ancient step wells, and Birds on the Brain, a middle grade sequel to her bestselling book Book Uncle and Me. Uma is faculty emerita, MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Vermont College of Fine Arts. Many of her students have established successful writing careers.
