Susan Ouriou

"A family adventure into the local woods teaches readers how to plan ahead and use the five senses to respectfully uncover the natural wonders hiding in their own local environments. This simple story works in layers. It is a journey, full of discovery, into the outdoors. It is also a "how to" guide, which offers children a template for how to plan their own nature adventure--whether with family, classmates, or other friends in their community. You...

"Winter is coming, and Poppy and Sam's tiny garden neighbors are getting ready to hibernate. After stocking their pantries for the colder days ahead, Poppy and Sam settle in for a long winter's nap as well. But what is Poppy doing wrong? She can't sleep and nothing seems to work! Determined to hibernate like her friends, Poppy sets out with Sam to ask the other creatures for their deep-sleep secrets. But advice from the bees (snuggling into a honeycomb),...

"Three birds are left behind when they decide they are too lazy to fly south with their flock. But, despite their laziness, the three birds are willing to put a lot of work into beating the winter cold, and they embark on a series of trial-and-error strategies to stay warm. The shivering birds try wearing winter coats like humans, only to realize that without the use of their wings they can't escape the brutal winter winds. Undeterred, the birds continue...

"In an alternate history of Detroit, the Motor City was never surrendered to the US. Its residents deal with pollution, poverty, and the legacy of racism-and strange and magical things are happening: children rule over their own kingdom in the trees and burned houses regenerate themselves. When Gloria arrives looking for answers and her missing granddaughters, at first she finds only a hungry mouse in the derelict home where her daughter was murdered....

Fox loves nature. There's nothing he enjoys more than reading about and picking flowers. One evening, he comes across a rare specimen in his old botany book -- the golden glow, a plant from the Wellhidden family, found only in the mountains . . . a plant that has yet to be described. Fascinated, Fox decides to set off on a quest in search of the mysterious golden glow. He packs his knapsack, a map, a compass, a flashlight, a sleeping bag and other...

Hélène is an outcast in her grade. Her only consolation is reading Jane Eyre. Even seeing a lovely fox doesn't make her feel better, but maybe a new friendship will.

"Originally published in French as Bagages, Carry On began in a high school in Outremont, Quebec, where author and poet Simon Boulerice conducted creative-writing workshops for young newcomers to Canada. As the students began writing, their poems gave voice to their reflections on leaving family, friends, and countries of origin to make new homes and connections in Canada. Boulerice collected several of the students' poems to create this anthology....