Here are the 2022 Yellow Cedar Award finalists: 10 great Canadian books for readers in Grades 4-8

Ten Canadian books are finalists for the 2022Yellow Cedar Award, which celebrates nonfiction books for readers in Grades 4-8.

The Yellow CedarAwardis part of theForest of Reading program, in which students from kindergarten to high school are encouraged to read from a selection of shortlisted books and vote for their favourites over several months.

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The Forest of Reading program is organized by the Ontario Library Association. The 10 finalists in each category are chosen by a committee of library practitioners.

More than 270,000 students across Canada participate each year through their schools, public libraries, literacy centres and at home.Those with a subscription can tune in throughCurio, CBC's educational service.The awards will also be available atCBC Books.

On Day Two of the festival (May 18, 2022), theYellow Cedar Award(10 a.m. ET),Silver Birch Fiction Award(11:30 a.m. ET) and theSilver Birch Express Award(1:00 p.m ET) areannounced.You can see the complete schedule here.

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111 Trees by Rina Singh, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer

111 Treesis a story basedon true events in the life of community activist Sundar Paliwalandexplores the power of community and culture.Thisuplifting story shows how one person can make a difference in a community whenSundar is determined to live in a place where girls are valued as much as boys and where the land is not devastated by irresponsible corporations.

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Rina Singh is an author who was born in India and now lives in Toronto. She has written more than a dozen books for children, includingMy Heart Beats,Diwali Lights, A Forest of StoriesandMoon TalesandGrandmother School.

Marianne Ferrer is an illustrator living in Montreal.Her other books includeCarmen and the House That Gaud Built,A Story About Cancer (With a Happy Ending)andThe Invisible Garden.

Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats by Cylita Guy, illustrated by Cornelia Li

Dr. Cylita Guy shows how studying urban wildlife can help us make cities around the world healthier for all of their inhabitants inChasing Bats and Tracking Rats. In the process, Guy reveals how social injustices like racism can affect not only how scientists study city wildlife, but also where urban critters are more likely to thrive.

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Cylita Guy is a Toronto-based ecologist, data scientistand science communicator who studies bats.

Cornelia Li is a Chinese-born illustrator based in Toronto.

Finding Home by Jen Sookfong Lee, illustrated by Drew Shannon

Finding Homeexplores the nature of human migration and how it has shaped the modern world. This middle-grade book is a nonfiction look at the past and present issues affecting immigrants and refugees and author Jen Sookfong Lee offers a first-hand account of her experience as a second-generation Canadian.

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Jen Sookfong Leeis a Chinese Canadian broadcaster, novelist and author.Leeis the author of the novelThe Conjoinedand the nonfiction bookGentleman of the Shade.

Drew Shannon is a Toronto illustrator and artist. His freelance work has been featured inNew York Public Radio, NPR Musicand the Globe and Mail.

In the Dark by Lisa Deresti Betik, illustrated by Josh Holinaty

In the Darkis a fun, fact-packed book about the science of what happens to the world at night. With answers to questions likewhy we dream, and why stars twinkle In the Dark is an engaging introduction to the science of night.

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Lisa Deresti Betikis a children'sauthor and former teacheroriginally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., but currently based in Waterloo. In the Dark is her first published book.

Josh Holinaty is an artist, illustrator and designer based in Edmonton. His otherbooks includeIra Crumb Feels the Feelings and The Space Adventurer's Guide.

The International Day of the Girl by Jessica Dee Humphreys & Rona Ambrose, illustrated by Simone Shin

The International Day of the Girlis a celebration about what it meansto be a girl all around the world.The United Nations designated Oct.11 every yearas the International Day of the Girl, a day to increase awareness of problems that affect girlsaround the world and to encourage progress toward gender equality. The stories in this book showcase the importance of the day and the power of being a girl.

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Jessica Dee Humphreysis a Canadian writer and researcher. She is also the author ofChild Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in Warandhas written two books withRomo Dallaire.

Rona Ambrose is the former interim leader of the federal Conservative Party and the opposition leader between 2015 and 2017. She lives in Calgary and led the global movement to create the International Day of the Girlat the United Nations.

Simone Shin is an Americanchildren's book illustrator.

It Takes Guts by Dr. Jennifer Gardy, illustrated by Belle Wuthrich

It Takes Gutsis an illustrated science bookall about the digestive system, how it works and the role foodcan playin your mood and immune system. It also teaches young readers about the difference between good and bad bacteria and investigates the science behind burps, barfs and everything else going on in your gut.

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Dr. Jennifer Gardy is a Canadian microbiologist, TV host and children's author based in Chicago. Her other book is called It's Catching.

Belle Wuthrichis a designer and illustrator who has contributed to dozens ofchildren's publications. Her other books includeDo You Know Where the Animals Live? andThe Disability Experience.

Mad for Ads by Erica Fyvie, illustrated by Ian Turner

Mad for Adsis an amusing look atadvertising and how it influences and shapes the world around us. Mad for Ads aims to teach children to pay more attention to ads and be more aware the tricks they use to grab our attention.

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Erica Fyvie is an award-winning author and editor based inToronto. Her first book, Trash Revolution, was nominated for a Red Maple Award in 2019.

Ian Turner is a graphic artist and illustrator based in Hamilton, Ont. His other books includeBiometrics, which won theLane Anderson Award in the young reader category in 2018.

The Power of Style by Christian Allaire

The Power of Styleis a YA nonfiction book about the power of fashion.Christian Allaireis a Ojibwe fashion and style writer who has alwayshad a passion for looking good. InThe Power of Style,Allairehighlights the need for diversity and representation in fashion and examines topics such as cosplay, make up, hijabs, and hair to show the intersection of style, culture and social justice over the years.

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Allaireis an Ojibwe author who grew up on the Nipissing First Nation reserve in Ontario. Allaire is the fashion and style writer at Vogue.

This is Your Brain on Stereotypes by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Drew Shannon

This is Your Brain on Stereotypesexamines the science behind stereotypes, why our brains from them and how knowing about them can help us be more unbiased.It'sa hopeful and timely look at racism, homophobia, sexism and discrimination that offers strategies to make change.

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Tanya Lloyd Kyi is and award-winning author from Vancouver. She is author of the YA novelsAnywhere but HereandThe Prince of Potand thenonfiction titlesShadow WarriorandEyes and Spies.

Drew Shannon is a Toronto-based illustrator born in London, Ont.His other books includeThe Devil's MusicandFinding Home.

Wild Outside by Les Stroud, illustrated by Andrew P. Barr

Wild Outsideis a middle-gradeadventure book thatoffers kid-friendly activities and tips about howsafely observe wildlife. Les Stroud uses his decades of wilderness adventures and facts about nature to pass on practical advice about spending time outdoors to young readers.

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Les Stroud is a Canadian survival expert, filmmaker and musician best known as the creator, writer, producer, director, cameraman and host of the television series Survivorman.

Andrew P. Barr is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Toronto. His other books include Monstars: Bootleg Horrors from Hollywood and Bride of Monstars.