The Red Maple category in the Forest of Reading program is a guide I use the most when trying to connect preteens with books. It is a tricky age group – they’ve outgrown the type of books they read when they were younger, but they aren’t quite ready for teen materials. The Red Maple category has books written by Canadian authors that specifically target the interests of middle graders. The nominees cover a range of timely topics written by diverse voices. One standout from this year’s nominees is Beatrice and Croc Harry: a novel by Lawrence Hill.
Beatrice is alone. She cannot remember who she is or where she came from. She lives in a cabin on top of a tree that overlooks a vast forest. Handwritten notes are posted on the walls warning of the dangers she may face. There are shelves full of books that detail how she must navigate this strange new world.
There are no other humans in this place. But there are animals – creatures that are more intelligent than the ones in the regular world. Harry is a King Crocodile. His scales are turquoise, and his teeth are sharp. He is sly and cunning and is always looking for his next meal. Although she doesn’t fully trust him, Beatrice is drawn to Croc Harry. They form an unlikely friendship and seek to discover the mystery of Beatrice’s past.
Forgiveness, acceptance, and love are strong themes throughout the story. The friendship that develops between Beatrice and Croc Harry is complex. It blooms and wilts and blossoms again and is complicated by a grim history. It is not only an excellent story on its own, but it also opens the door for discussion about heavy subject matter. It is an excellent teaching tool for tough topics such as racism and anger that can be used at home or in the classroom.
There are so many great titles amongst the Red Maple nominees, make sure you discover them all!
Check it out 