A fresh and fearless collection of short fiction, poetry and graphic fiction for today’s middle-grade readers.In this timely, thought-provoking, funny and heartbreaking collection, ten acclaimed BIPOC authors from across Canada explore the theme and concept of home.From awkward family dinners, to life on the rez, to moving to a new town, each of these stories provides a unique perspective on the theme of belonging through characters tasked with navigating and finding their place in this world.Brought together by curator (and story contributor), Jael Richardson, Today I Am will make readers laugh and cry while opening their hearts and minds to the world around them, validating how it feels to be young and alive today.Today I Am includes stories by Marty Chan, Rosena Fung, Michael Hutchinson, Chad Lucas, Angela Misri, Mahtab Narsimhan, Danny Ramadan, Liselle Sambury, Brandon Wint and Jael Richardson.

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS: Salma models inquiry-based problem solving by researching and writing her own book about how to be a good sibling.IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS: taking responsibility for your actions, resolving conflict, and making mistakes are introduced through the story.BACKMATTER EXTRAS: backmatter features an activity for readers and an excerpt from Book 3 in the series, coming Winter 2024.DYNAMIC AUTHOR: Danny Ramadan is a powerhouse author whose profile is only rising.

AWARD-WINNING EARLY CHAPTER SERIES: Book 5 in this easy-to-read, contemporary chapter book series featuring Salma, a spirited young girl navigating family and culture. More adventures with Salma are on the way! UNIVERSAL THEMES: Explores the challenges and joys of multilingualism, intergenerational connection, and finding creative ways to communicate across languages. MUSLIM & IMMIGRANT REPRESENTATION: Highlights the richness of Arabic language and culture through Salma's interactions with her grandmother and friends, offering nuanced portrayal of a diverse, diasporic Muslim family, as well as an immigrant family experience. CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING: Salma draws on her ingenuity, from backgammon games to music and body language, showing readers that communication is about more than words. DYNAMIC AUTHOR: Danny Ramadan continues to earn critical acclaim and awards for his children's and adult books, and is an in-demand public speaker. BACKMATTER EXTRAS: Activity for kids in the back of the book for a connect-the-dots activity featuring the Arabic alphabet, encouraging language exploration and engagement. LEVELING INFO: Coming soon SWEET SPOT READER RECOMMENDATION: 8 years FOR FANS OF: The Dory Fantasmagory series and the Katie Woo and Friends series

EARLY CHAPTER BOOK SERIES: Book 4 in this easy chapter book series featuring a family from Syria by Lamda award-winning author Danny Ramadan, himself a former Syrian refugee.EXPLORES MENTAL HEALTH: Introduces young readers to Seasonal Affective Disorder, helping kids understand how seasons and environment can affect emotions and well-being.REPRESENTATION: Shows a young girl navigating the complexities of her religion and culture; sensitive and nuanced portrayal of a diverse diasporic Muslim community.EMPATHY AND RESILIENCE: Addresses discrimination around accents with honesty and empowers readers to embrace their own voices while standing up against unfair judgments.DYNAMIC AUTHOR: Danny Ramadan is a powerhouse author whose profile is only rising.BACKMATTER EXTRAS: Activity for kids in the back of each book in the series!FOR FANS OF: Dory Fantasmagory and Katie Woo and FriendsLEVELING INFO: F-P Guided Code: M - Grade Two IV. Lexile Code: 710 L

Moving across the world was Salma's first big adventure. Now you can join her on even more adventures in her new home-from cooking Syrian food, to becoming a big sister, and more!Book Three: Salma Joins the TeamSalma dreams of becoming a champion swimmer like her hero, Olympian Yusra Mardini. So when she signs up for her school's swim club, it feels like her dreams could come true . . . until mean comments from older girls at the pool and women at her mosque spark body image and self-esteem issues. But with the help of her close friends and family-the team that always has her back-Salma is ready to claim her place in the pool.About the Series: Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes, and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series.Over 17 awards for Salma the Syrian Chef!PRAISE for Book 1, Salma Makes a Home"A forthright, tender perspective on childhood immigration." -Kirkus Reviews

A 2023 NYPL Best Book for Kids!Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series. After a year, eleven months, and six days apart, Salma's dad is finally joining her family in their new home. Salma is so happy to see her baba-but she's also worried. What if he misses Syria so much that he leaves them again? She throws herself into showing him around the city and helping him learn English, but as Baba shares memories of Damascus Salma starts to realize how much she misses Syria, too. Can Salma make space in her heart for two homes? And can Baba?Moving across the world was Salma's first big adventure. Now you can join her on even more adventures in her new home-from cooking Syrian food, to becoming a big sister, and more!

Newcomer Salma and friends cook up a heartwarming dish to cheer up Mama. All Salma wants is to make her mama smile again. Between English classes, job interviews, and missing Papa back in Syria, Mama always seems busy or sad. A homemade Syrian meal might cheer her up, but Salma doesn't know the recipe, or what to call the vegetables in English, or where to find the right spices! Luckily, the staff and other newcomers at the Welcome Center are happy to lend a hand-and a sprinkle of sumac. With creativity, determination, and charm, Salma brings her new friends together to show Mama that even though things aren't perfect, there is cause for hope and celebration. Syrian culture is beautifully represented through the meal Salma prepares and Anna Bron's vibrant illustrations, while the diverse cast of characters speaks to the power of cultivating community in challenging circumstances.