The Origami Yoda series is perfect for family read-alouds

This series of illustrated novels by the U.S. writer Tom Angleberger is so addictively enjoyable that your kid might just put down the video game console and devour them before the summer’s up

American author Tom Angleberger was inspired by the famous artist Fumiaki Kawahata’s origami Yoda when he wrote his charming series of books about a group of sixth graders who become better friends while making paper puppets in the likenesses of Star Wars characters.

Who could have imagined that such an esoteric beginning would spark a creative project that would spread so far and wide as Angleberger’s massively popular series?

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The Hate You Give cover

The Hate U Give is a must-read for parents of teens

Whether they live in Parkland, Baltimore or Toronto, teens want change

In the first few scenes of The Hate U Give, 16-year-old Starr Carter sees one of her closest friends, Khalil, shot and killed by a police officer. She’ll never be the same. While the world swirls around her in advance of her testimony before a grand jury, Starr fears retribution from a gang leader, defends Khalil on television, speaks through a bullhorn for the first time, and questions every friendship she’s ever had.

Amidst the chaos of riots in her own neighbourhood, Starr is faced with tough choices about how to respond to the injustice of being black and how to honour her friend Khalil’s memory.

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Talking About Death Won’t Kill You is a surprisingly uplifting read

Don’t like talking about death? You’re not alone

You’re going to die. Are you ready?

Okay, my friend, I’m sorry that was abrupt. It’s truly okay if you feel like you’re not ready. I get it! You might need to do a bit of thinking about this, or a bit of reading, and there will always be time later …

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