Why Humans Build Up

Illustrated By: Kathleen Fu

Part of the nonfiction Orca Timeline series, with photographs and illustrations throughout. This book explores why and how people have constructed taller and taller buildings over the course of human history.

Rush Hour

This nonfiction book for middle-grade readers looks at the evolution of traffic, how it's affecting the environment and practical things young people can do to help. Illustrated with photographs.

Why Humans Work

Illustrated By: Suharu Ogawa

Part of the nonfiction Orca Think series for middle-grade readers, this illustrated book explores why we work and why people around the world end up in the jobs, careers and professions they do.

A Boy Named Tommy Douglas

Tommy Douglas wasn’t from a wealthy family, or big for his age as a boy. But he was inspired by a tragic childhood accident, and never forgot the other unfortunate children whose parents couldn’t afford to pay surgeons. He became a fiery politician, who is known today as the Father of Medicare, and acknowledged as our greatest Canadian.

The Witness Blanket

This nonfiction book for middle-grade readers, illustrated with photographs, tells the story of the making of the Witness Blanket, a work by Indigenous artist Carey Newman that includes items from every residential school in Canada and stories from the Survivors who donated them.

Fashion Forward

Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book explores the social and environmental issues in the fashion industry and how kids can make it more sustainable.

Salmon

Part of the Orca Wild series, this nonfiction book for middle-grade readers explores the iconic life cycle of salmon, their contributions to the ecosystem and their struggle for survival. Illustrated with photos throughout.

A Fair Deal

Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book looks at trade from the perspective of making it fair for all people.

Shelter

Illustrated By: Taryn Gee

Part of the nonfiction Orca Think series for middle-grade readers, this illustrated book answers the questions young people have about homelessness and its causes, effects and possible solutions, and what we can all do to help.

What Animals Want

Illustrated By: Julie McLaughlin

Part of the nonfiction Orca Think series for middle-grade readers, this illustrated book gives young readers the tools to think about the physical, social and emotional needs of pets, farm animals and wild animals using the Five Freedoms.

Unstoppable

Illustrated By: Karen Patkau

Ten very different disabled women, from neurosurgeon Dr. Karin Muraszko to environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who are making a difference in the world.

Conservation Canines

Foreword by: Anjelica Huston

This nonfiction book for middle readers examines the lives of dogs who work with humans to find new ways to solve environmental problems. Included are stories and examples of dogs working in the field to conserve wildlife.

Upstream, Downstream

Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book examines our relationships with watersheds and what we need to do to protect them for future generations.

Govern Like a Girl

Kate Graham introduces us to the thirteen women who have become first ministers (provincial premiers and, in one case, prime minister) in Canada, and shows how their strength and ingenuity led them each to govern like a girl.

Beavers

Part of the Orca Wild series, this nonfiction book for middle-grade readers explores the important role beavers play as a keystone species. They were nearly driven to extinction for their furs, but today beavers are valued for their role as habitat creators and water stewards.

Trash Talk

This illustrated book of nonfiction for middle-graders shows how people all over the world are working to keep our planet from drowning in a sea of garbage.

Nature Out of Balance

Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle readers and illustrated with color photographs. Find out about the global problem of invasive species, the good and the bad, and what you can do to support the ecosystems around you.