The Fall 2026 Preview continues with Poh Poh’s Sword, by Julia Hune-Brown and illustrated by Hayley Lowe! Poh Poh’s Sword is an immigration story about Julie's Chinese Canadian grandmother’s (Poh Poh’s) leaving China to North America. Publishing on September 15, 2026. Available for pre-order now!

Next up in our Fall 2026 Preview is Luckily Ever After Olive Tran, by Phuong Truong with illustrations by Christine Wei! In the third Olive Tran book, Olive and her bestie, Mia, play Cupid for their parents. Learn more about the book and its author! Publishes September 8, 2026. Pre-order now.

We’re kicking off our Fall 2026 Preview with Alina in Her Roots by Shenaaz G. Nanji and illustrated by Beena Mistry. The third book in The Alina Books series follows Alina's visit to Nairobi, Kenya, where she reunites with her cousin, Safi. Publishing on September 15th, 2026. Pre-order now!

Bernice and the Wild Waters is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! Congrats Jessica Outram, and thanks, JLG for recognizing this middle grade series. Coming September 22, 2026, Bernice searches for her missing cousins, who may have been taken by an Indian Agent to a residential school.

We're honored to share that author Karen Levine received the Order of Canada at Rideau Hall! Hana's Suitcase tells the true story of the modern-day search for a young girl lost in the Holocaust. Karen is also the co-author of The Light Keeper, with Shiela Baslaw, illustrated by Alice Priestley.

Ellis on Guard by Sal Sawler, illustrated by Nandita Ratan, was featured on this week’s CBC Radio One’s The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing as a kid approved book to read for this summer! This empathetic picture book explores anxiety in a way that helps young readers feel understood.

Can Posters Kill?: Antisemitic Propaganda and World War II by Jerry Faivish with Kathryn Cole, has won the Young Adult Nonfiction category for the ILA Children's and Young Adult Book Awards! 🎉 This impactful book for teens provides insights about hate and antisemitism and what is propaganda.

Shy Cat and the Stuff-the-Bus Challenge by Dian Day and Amanda White was featured on this week's CBC Radio One’s The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing as a kid approved summer read! This graphic novel follows best friends, Mila and Kit, and a community coming together to make a difference.

SSP presents our Fall 2026 Preview! 🍂 Releasing this fall, our lineup will include a new cozy graphic novel series about a coven of YA witches and a new adventure fantasy YA series told from an Indigenous perspective!

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day! SSP is honoured to be able to work with Indigenous creators and their communities. The featured art is by Storm Angeconeb, from her illustrations for Counting Bugs / Aambe Gindaasdaa Mnidooshag by Gretchen Sands-Gamble - a baby board book coming this fall!

The Dog Heist by Dani Jansen received a lovely review from Kirkus Reviews! This heartfelt, humorous, and compelling story with high stakes moments is coming September 1, 2026.

SSP is thrilled to announce that our former publisher, Margie Wolfe, has been awarded the 2026 Library and Archives Canada Scholar Award! The award recognizes remarkable Canadians who have made an outstanding contribution to Canada’s culture, literary heritage, and historical knowledge.

Introducing the first book in a richly epic Indigenous fantasy series: In the Long Shadows by Bear Meawasige—the winner of our 2025 Indigenous Writing Contest! Coming October 13, 2026. Pre-order the book from your favourite bookstore.

Happy Pride Month🏳️‍🌈 from everyone here at Second Story Press! This history reminds us of the victories and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and that we must continue to fight to preserve the hard won rights that are being challenged today.

Welcome back Bernice in Book two of the Shining Waters Series, following Bernice & the Georgian Bay Gold—winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, Bernice and the Wild Waters, written by Jessica Outram. Bernice Normandin is who I am. What’s bigger than a name?

Start counting with your little one in both English & Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwe. Introducing Counting Bugs/Aambe Gindaasdaa Mnidooshag, a counting board book that introduces insects in both English & Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwe. Written by Gretchen Sands-Gamble & illus. by Storm Angeconeb.

How lucky am I? Such a wonderful panel with a really lovely group of authors (Ian Duncan, Bells Larsen, Edwin Dumont, and @karmicangel.bsky.social). so grateful to @anotherstoryto.bsky.social for hosting, and to the amazing team at @secondstory.bsky.social.

Congratulations to these CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, Spring 2026 selections! Take a Breath Olive Tran by Phuong Truong & illustrated by Christine Wei Memory Stones by Kathy Kacer & illustrated by Hayley Lowe Run the World Like a Girl: International Women Leaders by Kate Graham

Today is World Hunger Day. 🌍 "Consider volunteering at a local hot meal program—such as a soup kitchen—on a regular basis, not just Christmas Day..." —Dian Day, co-creator of Shy Cat & the Stuff-the-Bus Challenge, with Amanda White Read the full blog post by Dian on our website.

Curate your collections now—June is National Indigenous History Month! Let’s learn about & celebrate the rich histories & contributions of First Nations, Métis, & Inuit peoples. Explore books by Indigenous creators—empowering & beautifully illustrated stories in English, French, & dual languages!

Say hello to this cozy coven of YA witches: The Secret Society of the Willbrook Witches, a fun new graphic novel series, written & illustrated by Camille Perron-Cormier. Coming this fall—order now! Andrea’s first year at university takes a strange turn when she discovers she may be a witch!

Introducing Poh Poh’s Sword, a captivating immigration story written by Julia Hune-Brown & illustrated by Hayley Lowe. Julie’s grandmother—her Poh Poh—left everything she knew to travel to Gold Mountain with only her sword, not to fight, but to forge a new life. Available on September 15, 2026.

It’s Asian Heritage Month in Canada & AANHPI Heritage Month in the US! We’re sharing SSP titles by Asian creators & stories about Asian identity, family, & experiences. Ten Cents a Pound by Nhung N. Tran-Davies Alina in a Pinch by Shenaaz G. Nanji Alina in the Deep by Shenaaz G. Nanji

Olive Tran is back & it’s her lucky day! For 10 year-old Olive, it’s the first time Lunar New Year & Valentine’s day overlap. Olive is sure this is a sign: it’s the year of luck & love! What could be a better time to play Cupid? Available September 8, 2026.

Pod drop 2025/26 Season Highlights: We speak with Karin Wells about her new book Women Who Woke up the Law. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/r... @writersfest.bc.ca @westcoastleaf.bsky.social @secondstory.bsky.social

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Rita Winkler, author & illustrator of My Art, My World, with her painting “Surrounded by Friends” has won the annual art contest for the 31st Annual National Supported Employment Conference taking place in Ottawa, ON on June 9-11, 2026! Congratulations, Rita!

A neglected dog brings two misfits together in this adventure for middle schoolers who love animals and a story where the kids take charge. The Dog Heist by Dani Jansen publishes on September 1, 2026. Pre-order the book from your local bookstore! For ages 9-12.

Join children’s picture book authors Sal Sawler, Bells Larsen, Edwin Dumont, and Ian Duncan on May 29 at 7 PM for a lively conversation on writing inclusive, 2SLGBTQIA+ stories for young readers, moderated by award-winning writer and educator, Angela Misri. Reserve a spot here: loom.ly/7s6p-lg

Join Alina on a fun & brand-new adventure! In the third book of The Alina Books series, Alina can’t wait to visit Nairobi. Alina in Her Roots, written by Shenaaz G. Nanji, illustrated by Beena Mistry is publishing on September 15, 2026. Pre-order the book from your local bookstore! For ages 6-8.

Happy Youth Week! 🎉 Shy Cat and Stuff-the-Bus Challenge by Dian Day and Amanda White reminds us that even the shyest voices can have a big impact. Whether it’s speaking up, helping others, or stepping outside of your comfort zone, let’s encourage young people that every small act matters!