My Top 3 Picks from the Forest of Reading 2020 Teen Committee List
You’re probably familiar with the Forest of Reading by now. But did you know there’s a White Pine booklist just in time for summer? Unlike the school-year White Pine nominees, the Teen Committee List is curated by teens in Grades 9-12.
We have every book on the list in the collection! Search a title in our catalogue to place a hold for curbside pickup or find a digital copy on Hoopla or Overdrive/Libby.
While I’m definitely interested in all of the books on the list, I thought I would highlight the top 3 that I’m most excited to read.
3. Be My Love by Kit Pearson (Harper Trophy)

Why I’m excited to read it: Sometimes the reason for wanting to read a book is really simple. In this case, it’s the author! Kit Pearson wrote one of my all-time favourite books, Awake and Dreaming. I read it when I was in elementary school and it’s still on my bookshelf today. So a new book by Kit Pearson is cause for celebration!
2. My Story Starts Here: Voices of Young Offenders by Deborah Ellis (Groundwood Books)

Why I’m excited to read it: So much of the conversation around young offenders seems to be led by adults or other people who have never been affected by the factors and environments that can lead to young people committing crimes. I’m very interested in hearing directly from young offenders in their own words. I think this book has the potential to broaden perspectives and force readers to confront their biases. I think it’s an important read for both teens and those who work with them.
1. This Place: 150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Sonny Assu, Brandon Mitchell, Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, David A. Robertson, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, Jen Storm, Richard Van Camp, Katherena Vermette, Chelsea Vowel; illustrated by Tara Audibert, Kyle Charles, GMB Chomichuk, Natasha Donovan, Scott B. Henderson, Ryan Howe, Andrew Lodwick, Jen Storm; colour by Scott A. Ford, Donovan Yaciuk (HighWater Press)

Why I’m excited to read it: I’ve never really been very interested in reading graphic novels, for reasons I’m not even sure of. Looking at the sheer number of volumes so many series are made up of, it was daunting and I didn’t know where to start. This Place: 150 Years Retold is an anthology, meaning it is made up of shorter stories that can be read individually one at a time.
Also, I need to read more content both about and created by Indigenous Peoples. June just finished, and it was National Indigenous History month. In looking through different suggested booklists, I realized just how little Indigenous Canadian content I’ve read! It was pretty embarrassing. Also, Canada Day was celebrated just last week. It seems like a very appropriate time to educate myself on Indigenous history in Canada and reflect on Canada’s past, current and future relationships with the Indigenous Peoples and their land.
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So, those are my top three picks I want to read ASAP. Have a look at the full list and see which books interest you!