New Releases by Eric Walters

Key Selling Points Ali is an eighth-grade student trying to to do it all—get good grades, fit in with his friends, get the girl and satisfy his parents—all while struggling to deal with the anti-Muslim racism around him. Writing poetry helps. If only his father wasn''t set against it. Call Me Al deals with what it''s like to be an immigrant (Ali and his family immigrated from Pakistan when he was little), racism (from peers and the world at large), balancing family versus friends'' expectations, first crushes, being from a lower-income household, being Muslim and finding forgiveness for those who hurt you. Features a relatable male protagonist who discovers spoken-word poetry as an outlet for his feelings. Also makes clear the relationship between poetry and hip-hop. Co-authored by the power duo of veteran writer Eric Walters and renowned poet and motivational speaker Wali Shah, who has based this character''s struggles with choosing between studying science (for his parents) and writing poetry (for himself) on his own experiences.

Jax meets Liv, the new girl at school who shares his love of music, but that’s not all they have in common … Jax has big plans for grade eight: seeing if his maybe-girlfriend, Samantha, will become his actual girlfriend, and being first trumpet in the school band. Enter Liv, the new girl Jax meets at band auditions. Liv’s a star on the trumpet too. In fact, she might be better than Jax. When Jax and Liv start rehearsing together, they go from duet partners to fast friends. Soon, they learn that they share something more than a love of music — something that will change their whole world and make them rethink what it means to be “family.”

When all technology breaks down and he’s far from home, thirteen-year-old Jamie learns he’s stronger (and braver) than he thought he was in this dystopian adventure. Thirteen-year-old Jamie’s plane is just taking off when something goes terribly wrong. The lights go out, communications halts and the engine stops. After a bumpy landing, Jamie realizes it’s not just his flight. All the other planes have been grounded too. And every car on the road has stopped in its tracks. And no one’s cell phone is working. Technology has shut down, and no one knows why. Soon, it becomes clear that this disaster is anything but local, and people begin to panic. Jamie is now stranded 1,200 miles away from home and the world is in chaos. With the help of the plane''s flight crew, a group of fellow passengers and a rescued dog named Godzilla, Jamie must make the long, perilous journey home.

Teen astronaut Houston Williams is finally headed into outer space. Houston Williams was thrilled to win a scholarship to attend a space program at NASA. What he didn’t realize was that organizers were recruiting people for a cutting-edge research project aimed at studying how space travel affects people of different ages. Now, after months of intense training, Houston is blasting off into space! He and his new friend and former rival, Ashley, are on their way to the International Space Station (ISS) where, along with veteran astronaut Colonel Sanderson, they will be subjected to a variety of experiments. Meanwhile, back on Earth, the politics of space travel are getting complicated. Many feel the money being spent on Mars exploration should be redirected to address issues such as access to clean water and global warming. A planned mission to Mars may be accelerated before funding is canceled, and there is talk of repurposing the ISS crew. Houston doesn''t dare say out loud what he''s thinking: Is there a chance he could actually be going to Mars? This is the second book in the Teen Astronauts series, following Houston, Is There A Problem?

Becky James lives in a small town where nothing ever changes. But there’s something very different about the new student, Gene Newman. Brilliant, talented, and socially awkward, Gene is like nobody else Becky has ever known. Little does she know just how different he actually is. Gene confides in Becky that he has a secret. More than that, he is a secret. And, apparently, it’s a secret worth killing for.

★“A profound, realistic story of a multiracial family...This brilliantly written tale is a lovely introduction to the important topics of wildfires and animal sanctuaries for young readers. Great for animal lovers and children curious about nature.”—School Library Journal, starred review On returning to their home after a massive wildfire, nine-year-old Jasmin and her seven-year-old brother, Hunter, thought the biggest surprise would be whether their fire-resistant house had survived. Jasmin and Hunter did not expect to find an orphaned bear cub stuck in the neighbors’ well. Rescuing the tiny cub from the well was the easy part; now they need to care for it until the people from the bear-rescue sanctuary can make it safely through the fires to pick it up. The cub turns out to be exactly what one would expect of a wild animal—a huge handful! The latest Orca Echoes early chapter book from award-winning author Eric Walters was inspired by Eric’s visit to a wildlife sanctuary in Northern British Columbia. Bear in the Family tells the fictionalized story of a bear cub found by a family after the forest surrounding their home was destroyed by a wildfire.

Key Selling Points In On the Line, a basketball star struggles to make sense of things when he learns his father is gay. Veteran children’s author Eric Walters has teamed up with rising star Paul Coccia to bring their expertise together into a single POV. This book explores the themes of family dynamics and divorce. Paul Coccia''s book Cub was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and was commended as a CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens. Eric Walters has written more than 10 books featuring basketball, including Triple Threat, co-written with NBA fan-favorite Jerome Williams. Eric Walters founded the I Read Canadian Day movement and the day is now celebrated annually on February 17th.

Key Selling Points A young teen earns a scholarship to go to space camp. The first in the Teen Astronauts series featuring Houston at space camp. Examines themes of perseverance, leadership and growth mindset. This is an adventure story with an exciting setting: astronaut training camp. Eric Walters is very well known to librarians and booksellers.

This call-and-response board book with animals is perfect for your bedtime routine. A young child imagines all of his animal friends have come to life as he says good night to each of them before tucking in to sleep. “Moo,” says the cow. “Good night, cow,” says Noah. With hints on each page of the animal featured on the following page, the simple, repetitive text will encourage your little reader to wish their own stuffed animals sweet dreams as they snuggle down for the evening.

In conjunction with the Terry Fox Foundation, award-winning author Eric Walters brings Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope to life for a whole new generation of young readers This first book for young readers about Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope, written by one of Canada’s best-known writers for young adults, is a blending of fact and fiction, fully endorsed by The Terry Fox Foundation. Hundreds of thousands of young Canadians participate in the Terry Fox Run each year and this book will further enhance their knowledge of Terry’s epic journey. Run introduces a national hero to a new generation of readers. In his trademark page-turning style, Eric Walters, bestselling author of Trapped in Ice and Camp X, tells the story of Winston MacDonald. In trouble again after a suspension from school and a runaway attempt, Winston is sent to spend time with his father—a journalist who hasn’t been around much since his family split up a year ago. Travelling to Nova Scotia with his father, who is covering what he thinks is just a human interest story about a man trying to run across the country, Winston spends a day with Terry Fox and his best friend, Doug. Their determination to achieve what seems like an impossible goal makes a big impression on Winston, and he takes courage and inspiration from Terry’s run. He is overjoyed when his father’s article about the Marathon of Hope ignites public interest across the country. But when Winston discovers that his father’s next article about the Marathon of Hope will characterize Terry and Doug in an unflattering way, he is furious with his father and fearful of betraying his friends. Unsure of what to do or where to turn, Winston decides it is time to make a run for it himself...

Key Selling Points In The King of Jam Sandwiches , ayoung teen is afraid to let anyone know what is going on at home. This book examines the effects of mental illness, poverty and parental neglect. This is a very personal story for Eric Walters, informed by his own experience. Eric Walters has written over 100 books and is an avid presenter visiting thousands of students each year.

Key Selling Points In Don''t Stand So Close to Me an eighth grader and her friends adjust to life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book is set in real time during a worldwide historical event and, while it examines the harsh realities of a global pandemic, it ultimately shares a message of coming together and having hope. The book was produced in less than one month, an unprecedented publishing event; it was written and released during the same pandemic it is set in. A portion of the sales will be donated to Lakeside HOPE House in the author''s hometown of Guelph, Ontario. HOPE House offers immediate relief and ongoing support to those in need as well as programs and community projects that challenge the stigmas surrounding poverty. With increasing financial insecurity for many due to COVID-19, their work is now more important than ever.

What makes bath time fun for baby? Bath toys! From parading penguins and splashing seals to frolicking frogs and bathing beavers, these joyful animal toys are ready to play. Join the splashy party in the tub...you may even get wet too! Bright, vibrant illustrations from Christine Battuz match the energy of a baby in the bath as you’re introduced to Eric Walters’s animal alliterations across each page. It’s just good clean fun!

What makes bath time fun for baby? Bath toys! From parading penguins and splashing seals to frolicking frogs and bathing beavers, these joyful animal toys are ready to play. Join the splashy party in the tub...you may even get wet too! Bright, vibrant illustrations from Christine Battuz match the energy of a baby in the bath as you’re introduced to Eric Walters’s animal alliterations across each page. It’s just good clean fun!

Key Selling Points In this book, a young boy works with his grandfather to save an orca calf stuck in the shallows of an island. This book explores a child’s loneliness living on a remote island and the bond between him and his grandfather, with themes of multigenerational friendship, wildlife rescue, building self-esteem and perseverance. Author Eric Walters has published over 100 books, including several in the Orca Echoes series. This book features several black-and-white illustrations, which add to this engaging chapter book.

Co-written by Eric Walters and Godfrey Nkongolo, Light a Candle weaves non-fiction with fiction to tell the story of a boy coming of age in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The son of the village''s chief climbs the mountain against his father’s wishes to fulfill a request of the country’s first leader, Julius Nyerere, to light a candle on the top of the mountain and unify the mainland of Tanganyika and the islands of Zanzibar as one country, the United Republic of Tanzania.

A violin and a middle-school musical unleash a dark family secret in this moving story by an award-winning author duo. For fans of The Devil''s Arithmetic and Hana''s Suitcase. It''s 2002. In the aftermath of the twin towers -- and the death of her beloved grandmother -- Shirli Berman is intent on moving forward. The best singer in her junior high, she auditions for the lead role in Fiddler on the Roof, but is crushed to learn that she''s been given the part of the old Jewish mother in the musical rather than the coveted part of the sister. But there is an upside: her "husband" is none other than Ben Morgan, the cutest and most popular boy in the school. Deciding to throw herself into the role, she rummages in her grandfather''s attic for some props. There, she discovers an old violin in the corner -- strange, since her Zayde has never seemed to like music, never even going to any of her recitals. Showing it to her grandfather unleashes an anger in him she has never seen before, and while she is frightened of what it might mean, Shirli keeps trying to connect with her Zayde and discover the awful reason behind his anger. A long-kept family secret spills out, and Shirli learns the true power of music, both terrible and wonderful.

From the bestselling coauthor of Broken Strings, “a sensitive and supportive approach to . . . the universal, ageless experiences of love and loss” (Quill & Quire). A heartfelt new picture book from bestselling children’s author Eric Walters (From the Heart of Africa) and Halifax-based artist Carloe Liu. In this poignant story, we follow young Emily who has recently lost her grandfather. As she grows, she discovers a series of letters he left behind for her, offering grandfatherly advice at life’s most pivotal moments: first day of high school, graduation day, wedding, and ending with the birth of her own child. With gentle watercolors and letters for sharing with loved ones, Always With You is a timeless story about grief, growing up, and finding that those we love never truly leave us. Praise for Broken Strings One of Kirkus Reviews’s Best Middle Grade Books of 2019 One of the Globe and Mail’s 100 Books That Shaped 2019 One of Quill & Quire’s Honorable Mentions for 2019 Books of the Year for Young People One of CBC Books Best Canadian YA and Middle Grade Books of 2019 “A beautiful, painful, heartfelt reminder that the past is with us still.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Walters and Kacer pull off this impressive feat of complex storytelling and make it look easy . . . [an] honest, open and unflinching [story] about some of the more dark and traumatic aspects of history.” —Quill & Quire (starred review) “A book with heart, and one that will definitely be added to my school library collection.” —CM Magazine

Inspired by a story told to the author while on safari in 2015, The Wild Beast describes the creation of one of Africa''s most unusual animals, the wildebeest. According to oral tradition, the Creator built this unique beast out of leftover parts from other magnificent animals found on the continent. Horns from buffalos and stripes meant for zebras. Tails from giraffes and bumps meant for camels. This creative retelling will introduce little ones to a story rich in both imagery and in lesson: Take what you need to live. Take no more. Waste nothing.

What is the true meaning of friendship? Follow along as a boy meets up with his friend—a dog who faithfully waits for him every day so they can ride out to the beach together to surf. The boy doesn''t own the dog and he doesn''t know who does, but their daily routine has created a special bond. Award-winning author Eric Walters navigates the waters of a unique friendship alongside the vibrant illustrations of Eugenie Fernandes, who brings the bumpy roads, rugged beach paths and rolling waves of the tropics to life. Sometimes the most poignant relationships in a child''s life are the ones between friends.

In a world with no power, chaos soon descends. A powerful look at the disintegration of society in the wake of a massive and mysterious outage that has knocked out all modern amenities. Fifteen-year-old Emma has moved house with her ex-Marine mother and younger brother. It''s a brand-new condo building, which explains the semi-regular power outages, as workers complete the units around them. So Emma isn''t particularly concerned when the latest blackout hits just as they are preparing to leave town on a long weekend camping trip. But then the car won''t start, and their cellphones appear dead -- and all the cars outside their building seem to be stalled in a long traffic jam ... In the midst of what appears to be a massive power outage, with their camping gear packed and ready, Emma and her family canoe over to the islands, just offshore, to wait it out. But while they land on an isolated island, with a relatively hidden site, they are far from safe, as people become increasingly desperate to find food and shelter. And as the days pass, and the power remains out, the threat of violence becomes all too real.

Okay, Sophie, you''ve got ninety days to step out of your comfort zone.

From aardvark to zebra and all that''s in between, little ones will love learning their alphabet with these colorful creatures. An African Alphabet is a vibrant ABC book that introduces babies and toddlers to the unique variety of animals found in Africa. An alphabet for all ages, the stunning linocut-influenced artwork brings an uncommon selection of critters to life in this lively concept book.

The Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913 is not meant for children, so it doesn''t look like bookish Helen or her squirmy little brother, Michael, will be having any fun. To fight off the boredom, Helen plans to keep her nose in her favourite books. But on their way to the Arctic, the ocean freezes over early, catching the captain and crew by surprise. The boat becomes trapped in ice and everyone is forced to abandon ship before it sinks. It''s a long and treacherous road to solid land and many dangers lie ahead. Helen could not have predicted that instead of reading about adventures, she would soon be living an extraordinary one of her own.

Nathan has always loved animals and longs for a pet. When a baby squirrel shows up at Nathan''s door, he wonders what could have happened to its mother. It isn''t long before his family discovers six more orphaned baby squirrels in need of food and shelter. With help from Batcat, a neighborhood cat who is fed by many but owned by no one, Nathan learns to care for the squirrels. But all babies must leave the nest eventually. Will Nathan finally find a pet to call his own? The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

In this middle-grade novel, DJ travels with his grandfather to Central America and ends up hunted by armed gunmen.

The seven grandsons from the bestselling Seven (the Series) and The Seven Sequels return in The Seven Prequels, along with their daredevil grandfather, David McLean. In these thrilling origin stories Eric Walters, John Wilson, Ted Staunton, Richard Scrimger, Norah McClintock, Sigmund Brouwer and Shane Peacock and their signature writing styles take readers from the heat of the jungles of Central America to the mysterious streets of Stockholm to one very dangerous kayaking trip in Florida. These linked novels can be read in any order. Discover all seven books in this action-packed collection: Barracuda Jungle Land The Missing Skull Separated Slide Speed Weerdest Day Ever!

Do you know why dogs always chase after the matatus? Kioko had been watching the matatus come and go for as long as he could remember. But today, for his fifth birthday, he climbs aboard one with his grandfather. As the matatu pulls away from the market, the village dogs chase after them. When Kioko asks his grandfather why the dogs always bark and chase after matatus, his grandfather tells him an entertaining tale about a dog, a goat and a sheep. Set in East Africa, The Matatu is a colorful story filled with many unexpected turns and twists along the way.

Adam has killed again. It had to be done, part of him knows that, but it changes a person. It can certainly change a teenager who''s already grown up too quickly, too harshly, in the wake of the catastrophic global blackout five months ago. In the name of safety and survival, Adam and his neighbors have turned their middle American suburban neighborhood into a fortress, defending against countless enemies. Adam wants to hope, wants to be what his girlfriend Lori wants him to be—but there''s always a threat tugging at the edges of his consciousness.What''s lurking in the dark is a greater danger than ever before: somebody who wants to destroy the Neighborhood and stop their strategic alignments with other powerful enclaves. More than that, though, it''s personal: this somebody wants to destroy Adam. And he knows his prey is already wounded. Soon, the hunted becomes the hunter . . . and Adam hates himself for what he will have to do. Because sometimes even the dark is not cover enough for things that would never happen in the light.