Most Circulated Titles

Wonder

Palacio, R. J.


Film available DVD119 5 books. Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with a facial difference and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunting and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student. Includes a family discussion guide, a new afterword by the author and notes on the making of the motion picture adapted from the novel.
Date Published:2013

Film available DVD119 5 books. Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with a facial difference and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunting and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student. Includes a family discussion guide, a new afterword by the author and notes on the making of the motion picture adapted from the novel.

Date Published:2013

Refugee

Gratz, Alan, 1972-


Although separated by continents and decades, Josef, a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany; Isabel, a Cuban girl trying to escape the riots and unrest plaguing her country in 1994; and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015 whose homeland is torn apart by violence and destruction, embark on harrowing journeys in search of refuge, discovering shocking connections that tie their stories together.
Date Published:2017

The one and only Ivan

Applegate, Katherine


5 books. When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.
Date Published:2012

micro:bit Learning Kits


Each kit includes : 20 Micro:bits 20 battery holders 20 micro-usb cables AAA batteries (limited) 5 books -- Blackout by John Rocco -- The boy who harnessed the wind by William Kamkwamba -- The impact of energy -- The science of the heart and circulatory system -- Solids, liquids, & gases: Let's investigate 1 Lesson Ideas Card Each kit serves 20 students. Link to the lesson plans available under Additional Info tag. micro:bits are pocket-sized computers that introduce students to how software and hardware work together. They have an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that you can program and physically interact with. This kit includes 20 micro:bits, books and a link to instructional cards to support educators as they engage in playful and rich learning with micro:bits. micro:bits provide a way for learners to visualize their code and provide a great entry point as it uses block base coding.The lesson cards model how educators might build learning plans engaging curriculum topics, literacy and STEM in rich and meaningful ways. The lessons modelled are built around specific grade curriculum but educators are encouraged to modify and adapt for students in any grade. More lesson cards are in development and will be added to the TDSB Global Competencies site.
Date Published:2023

Each kit includes : 20 Micro:bits 20 battery holders 20 micro-usb cables AAA batteries (limited) 5 books -- Blackout by John Rocco -- The boy who harnessed the wind by William Kamkwamba -- The impact of energy -- The science of the heart and circulatory system -- Solids, liquids, & gases: Let's investigate 1 Lesson Ideas Card Each kit serves 20 students. Link to the lesson plans available under Additional Info tag. micro:bits are pocket-sized computers that introduce students to how software and hardware work together. They have an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that you can program and physically interact with. This kit includes 20 micro:bits, books and a link to instructional cards to support educators as they engage in playful and rich learning with micro:bits. micro:bits provide a way for learners to visualize their code and provide a great entry point as it uses block base coding.The lesson cards model how educators might build learning plans engaging curriculum topics, literacy and STEM in rich and meaningful ways. The lessons modelled are built around specific grade curriculum but educators are encouraged to modify and adapt for students in any grade. More lesson cards are in development and will be added to the TDSB Global Competencies site.

Date Published:2023

The wild robot

Brown, Peter, 1979-


Includes an excerpt from The wild robot escapes. When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants. As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.
Date Published:2016

Includes an excerpt from The wild robot escapes. When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants. As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

Date Published:2016

Ukulele kit


Teacher instruction videos and class sets of instructional books available in Additional Info tab. No previous experience teaching ukulele is required to book this kit, as teachers are encouraged to model a co-learning stance with students. Teachers are responsible for ensuring instruments are tuned and for teaching students about safe handling to ensure the longevity of the instruments. Instruments can be used in D6 tuning, but should be returned to C6 tuning before returning. These instruments have a high G string (string 4). Teachers may wish to share the kit between multiple classes and/or teachers. Teachers may book a maximum of 2 kits at one time to meet the needs of large classes. 18 ukuleles per kit (3 boxes of 9) 2 tuners. SEE BELOW FOR LINK TO BOOKING FORM. This kit of 18 ukuleles and 2 clip-on tuners is intended to support the delivery of the Music Curriculum by expanding access to musical instruments. This kit of ukuleles supports instruction for focused periods of time (i.e., one unit of 8 weeks) for Grade 4-12 classes. Student creativity, composition, songwriting, singing, and improvisation are encouraged when using the ukuleles in this kit.
Date Published:2024

Teacher instruction videos and class sets of instructional books available in Additional Info tab. No previous experience teaching ukulele is required to book this kit, as teachers are encouraged to model a co-learning stance with students. Teachers are responsible for ensuring instruments are tuned and for teaching students about safe handling to ensure the longevity of the instruments. Instruments can be used in D6 tuning, but should be returned to C6 tuning before returning. These instruments have a high G string (string 4). Teachers may wish to share the kit between multiple classes and/or teachers. Teachers may book a maximum of 2 kits at one time to meet the needs of large classes. 18 ukuleles per kit (3 boxes of 9) 2 tuners. SEE BELOW FOR LINK TO BOOKING FORM. This kit of 18 ukuleles and 2 clip-on tuners is intended to support the delivery of the Music Curriculum by expanding access to musical instruments. This kit of ukuleles supports instruction for focused periods of time (i.e., one unit of 8 weeks) for Grade 4-12 classes. Student creativity, composition, songwriting, singing, and improvisation are encouraged when using the ukuleles in this kit.

Date Published:2024

Fatty legs : a true story

Jordan-Fenton, Christy.


Lesson plan attached under Additional info tag. Contains 5 books. Memoir of an eight-year-old Inuit girl who leaves the Arctic to learn to read despite her father's reluctance to send her to the residential school. She encounters a cruel nun who makes her the laughingstock of the school, but through her determination learns to read and redeems herself in the eyes of her tormentors.
Date Published:2010

The barren grounds

Robertson, David, 1977-,


Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything -- including them.
Date Published:2020

Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything -- including them.

Date Published:2020

A long walk to water : based on a true story

Park, Linda Sue


Contains 5 paperbacks. When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.
Date Published:2010

Front desk

Yang, Kelly,


Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?.
Date Published:2018

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?.

Date Published:2018

Wishtree

Applegate, Katherine,


An old red oak tree tells how he and his crow friend, Bongo, help their human neighbors get along after a threat against an immigrant family is carved into the tree's trunk.
Date Published:2019

Amal unbound

Saeed, Aisha


Includes discussion questions. 5 books. Twelve-year-old Amal's dream of becoming a teacher one day is dashed in an instant when she accidentally insults a member of her Pakistani village's ruling family. As punishment for her behavior, she is forced to leave her heartbroken family behind and go work at their estate. Amal is distraught but has faced setbacks before. So she summons her courage and begins navigating the complex rules of life as a servant, with all its attendant jealousies and pecking-order woes. Most troubling, though, is Amal's increasing awareness of the deadly measures the Khan family will go to in order to stay in control. It's clear that their hold over her village will never loosen as long as everyone is too afraid to challenge them -- so if Amal is to have any chance of ensuring her loved ones' safety and winning back her freedom, she must find a way to work with the other servants to make it happen.
Date Published:2018

Includes discussion questions. 5 books. Twelve-year-old Amal's dream of becoming a teacher one day is dashed in an instant when she accidentally insults a member of her Pakistani village's ruling family. As punishment for her behavior, she is forced to leave her heartbroken family behind and go work at their estate. Amal is distraught but has faced setbacks before. So she summons her courage and begins navigating the complex rules of life as a servant, with all its attendant jealousies and pecking-order woes. Most troubling, though, is Amal's increasing awareness of the deadly measures the Khan family will go to in order to stay in control. It's clear that their hold over her village will never loosen as long as everyone is too afraid to challenge them -- so if Amal is to have any chance of ensuring her loved ones' safety and winning back her freedom, she must find a way to work with the other servants to make it happen.

Date Published:2018

The boy who harnessed the wind

Kamkwamba, William, 1987-


Contains 10 books. When 14-year-old William Kamkwamba's Malawi village was hit by a drought in 2001, everyone's crops began to fail. His family didn't have enough money for food, let alone school, so William spent his days in the library. He came across a book on windmills and figured out how to build a windmill that could bring electricity to his village. Everyone thought he was crazy but William persevered and managed to create a functioning windmill out of junkyard scraps. Several years later he figured out how to use the windmill for irrigation purposes.
Date Published:2015

Contains 10 books. When 14-year-old William Kamkwamba's Malawi village was hit by a drought in 2001, everyone's crops began to fail. His family didn't have enough money for food, let alone school, so William spent his days in the library. He came across a book on windmills and figured out how to build a windmill that could bring electricity to his village. Everyone thought he was crazy but William persevered and managed to create a functioning windmill out of junkyard scraps. Several years later he figured out how to use the windmill for irrigation purposes.

Date Published:2015

Sankofa Grade 2 kit


Contains 20 books (4 titles x 5 copies each) plus teacher's guide. Sankofa K–3 is a contemporary Black heritage resource for students in primary grades. The cross-curricular content readers are designed to celebrate the inspiring and complex histories, stories, and cultural legacies of Black Canadians and people of the African diaspora.
Date Published:2025

Sankofa Grade 1 kit


Contains 20 books (4 titles x 5 copies each) plus teacher's guide. Sankofa K–3 is a contemporary Black heritage resource for students in primary grades. The cross-curricular content readers are designed to celebrate the inspiring and complex histories, stories, and cultural legacies of Black Canadians and people of the African diaspora.
Date Published:2025

New kid

Craft, Jerry.


Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan just happens to be one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?
Date Published:2019

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan just happens to be one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

Date Published:2019

Sankofa Grade 3 kit


Contains 20 books (4 titles x 5 copies each) plus teacher's guide. Sankofa K–3 is a contemporary Black heritage resource for students in primary grades. The cross-curricular content readers are designed to celebrate the inspiring and complex histories, stories, and cultural legacies of Black Canadians and people of the African diaspora.
Date Published:2025

Sankofa Kindergarten kit


Contains 20 books (4 titles x 5 copies each) plus teacher's guide. Sankofa K–3 is a contemporary Black heritage resource for students in primary grades. The cross-curricular content readers are designed to celebrate the inspiring and complex histories, stories, and cultural legacies of Black Canadians and people of the African diaspora.
Date Published:2025

Dragons in a bag

Elliott, Zetta,


In Brooklyn, nine-year-old Jax joins Ma, a curmudgeonly witch who lives in his building, on a quest to deliver three baby dragons to a magical world, and along the way discovers his true calling.
Date Published:2018

Amina's song

Khan, Hena.


Sequel to: Amina's voice. It's the last few days of her vacation in Pakistan, and Amina has loved every minute of it. The food, the shops, the time she's spent with her family--all of it holds a special place in Amina's heart. Now that the school year is starting again, she is sad to leave, but also excited to share the wonders of Pakistan with her friends back in Greendale.
Date Published:2021