The Factory By: Catharine Egan

Genre: Science Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grade 7/8

"The Factory" is a Red Maple 2026 nominee. This is a fast-paced, futuristic story where climate challenges have left many people in climate refugee camps. The main character, Asher, lives with his Nan.  His mom is in his life, but she tends to be impulsive and isn't a stable figure.  When she gets herself into big financial trouble with dangerous people, Asher's father suggests that Asher would be the perfect candidate for a top-secret experiment.  The pay is more than enough to cover his mom's debts and improve life for his whole family.  Asher doesn't want to go, but does as he sees no other way out for his mom.  Asher soons makes friends at the research facility and they begin to unravel what is really happening there.  I am not typically a fan of this genre, but found this story to be engaging.  I enjoyed trying to figure out what was really happening at The Factory.

If We Tell You By: Nicola Dahlin

Genre: Mystery
Age Recommendation: Grade 7/8

"If We Tell You" is a Red Maple 2026 nominee.  Cameron and Lewis are identical twins who live in a rural small town with their seemingly wonderful parents.  The twins' world goes into upheaval when some people they've never seen before show up at a neighbourhood barbecue. Their parents hand them backpacks and tell them to go to the airport.  This begins a journey filled with unknowns and dangers.  Will they ever see their parents again?  Will they survive?  Read this exciting book to find out.

The Last Hope School For Magical Delinquents by: Nicki Pau Preto

Genre: Fantasy 
Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

"The Last Hope School For Magical Delinquents" is a Silver Birch 2026 nominee and the first book in a series.  Vin has been expelled from every magical school she's attended.  "Last Hope" is truly her last chance to learn how to use her magic.  If she gets expelled from this school, she will have very few options.  Vin is very hesitant about her new school and what appear to be lenient rules about the use of magic.  Once she makes a connection with some fellow students and the headmaster, Vin starts to feel at home for the first time ever.  Unfortunately, as Vin is gaining an understanding of her magic, it appears that she is causing some dangerous things to happen.  Vin and her friends band together to find out who is behind this dangerous magic and to protect their school. Since this is the first book in the series, a fair amount of time needs to be used providing the reader with background information.  This felt a little tedious to me, but once I got past this, the story was engaging. If you are a fan of magic or Harry Potter books, you are certain to enjoy this new magical world.

Spirit Service By: Sarena and Sasha Nanua

Genre: Realistic/Fantasy Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

"Spirit Service" is a Silver Birch 2026 nominee.  This is the story of four good friends who live in a small town that has an interesting history of being connected to the spirit world.  When the girls meet up at the local antique shop, a retro phone gives off a glow and the girls find themselves connecting to the spirit world through the old phone.  This book would be enjoyable for those who like stories about ghosts or magic, as well as fans of realistic fiction.  The book involves friendship, family, and overcoming challenges. 

The Anxious Exile Of Sara Salt By: Gabrielle Prendergast

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

"The Anxious Exile Of Sara Salt" is a Silver Birch 2026 nominee.  Ten-year-old Sara is just beginning summer vacation when her baby brother is born prematurely and has to stay at the hospital. Sara's mother and stepfather decide that Sara will spend the summer with her half-sister, Abby, in Toronto.  Sara has anxiety and selective mutism, but fortunately Abby understands.  Abby is an architect and lives in a storage container house on a vacant lot.  Abby's dream is to create a community of pod houses to support those experiencing homelessness.  Even though Sara doesn't typically speak to strangers, she finds a way to help Abby achieve her goal and make her voice heard.  This story is told through the letters Sara writes to her little brother.  It's a great story of friendship, family, personal growth, and helping others.  I highly recommend this to fans of realistic fiction. 

Benny On The Case By: Wesley King

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Mystery
Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

"Benny On The Case" is a Silver Birch 2026 nominee.  In this story, Benny, who has Mosaic Down Syndrome and lives at the retirement home his mother runs, is anxiously awaiting the new school year when he will placed in a mainstream classroom.  His best friend, 86 year old, Mr. Tom does his best to help Benny prepare for this transition.  Fortunately for Benny, it turns out he isn't the only new student in his class.  Salma, whose grandmother lives at the retirement home Benny's mother runs, has just moved to Newfoundland.  Salma and Benny become fast friends.  The pair, unfortunately, face bullying and discrimination from their classmates.  Add to this recent thefts at the retirement home and there's plenty to deal with.  Salma and Benny are on the case.  As they uncover clues their friendship becomes stronger.  This is a great story about friendship, family, and acceptance.  Those who enjoy mystery will love trying to figure out who is behind the thefts.  

The Discovery of Finnegan Wilde By: Caroline Pignat

Genre: Realistic Fantasy Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grade 7/8

"The Discovery of Finnegan Wilde" is the first Red Maple 2026 nominee I've read and it's going to be difficult to top this book.  The story is set in 1913 Dublin and includes the voices of Finnegan, Eddie, and Tomas.  Finn is a young girl living on the streets who has no memory of her past.  Eddie is an apprentice archaeologist who works at the local museum with his father.  Tomas, a ninth-century monk, is the subject of Eddie's recent investigations. Through an unfortunate incident, Eddie and Finn's paths become entwined and the two work together to uncover the story of Tomas and Ireland's mythological past. Their journey is filled with adventure, magic and the unravelling of Finn's past.  This is a fantastic read and I highly recommend it to lovers of realistic fiction, historical fiction and fantasy.