⭐ A Starred Review from School Library Journal for SHIRLEY: AN INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL STORY written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson with Shirley (Fletcher) Horn! ⭐
“An honest depiction of the cruelty in Canada’s First Nation residential schools from the perspective of a survivor.” —School Library Journal
Available February 10, 2026. Simultaneously publishing in French as SHIRLEY: UNE HISTOIRE DE PENSIONNAT INDIEN 📚
⭐Starred Review! ⭐
SHY CAT AND THE STUFF-THE-BUS CHALLENGE has a starred review from School Library Journal!
“A must-buy for elementary schools as it gently yet effectively opens conversations about the critical topic of
food insecurity for young readers.” —School Library Journal
In this middle grade graphic novel, Mila discovers she might have missed something important about her best friend Kit when their school launches a food drive challenge. Through a heartwarming story of friendship and neighbourhood cats, co-creators Dian Day and Amanda White provide young readers with a nuanced look at food insecurity. For ages 9-12.
Publishing March 3, 2026. Available for pre-order now! 🍎
Second Story Press presents… our Winter/Spring 2026 preview! ❄️
Swipe to learn more about our exciting lineup of books (with some French editions!) releasing in the new year, including the sixth book in Swampy Cree author Michael Hutchinson’s Mighty Muskrats Mystery series, a brand new middle grade graphic novel that provides a nuanced look at food insecurity, and a true story of resilience and survival at the Shingwauk Residential School.
🌷ELLIS ON GUARD by Sal Sawler, illustrated by Nandita Ratan (also publishing in French)
🌷SHIRLEY: AN INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL STORY written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson with Shirley (Fletcher) Horn (also publishing in French)
🌷SHY CAT AND THE STUFF-THE-BUS CHALLENGE by Dian Day and Amanda White
🌷THE CASE OF THE MOVIE MAYHEM by Michael Hutchinson
🌷LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: THE STUMBLING STONES OF EUROPE by Kathy Kacer
@ritawinklerart , author and illustrator of My Art, My World, with her painting “Surrounded by Friends” has won the annual art contest for the upcoming 31st Annual National Supported Employment Conference taking place in Ottawa, Ontario Canada on June 9-11, 2026!
The painting, “Surrounded by Friends,” is an illustration of Rita and her DANI friends. Rita created this painting in response to an art prompt that was posted by @ifdrawaweek , an online community which she really enjoys!
My Art, My World is a picture book that captures Rita’s enthusiasm, humour, and her love for the world through her great passion: making beautiful and fun works of art. The book celebrates art, friendship, disability, and self-expression.
Check out the winning painting on her Youtube channel!
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.
For Caleb, September is off to a rough start. His parents have split up, he’s moved to a new town, and—worst of all—he misses his dog. Valery is his new neighbor, but apart from being in the same class, they have nothing in common. Valery is lonely and hurt since her best friend abandoned her for a boy, and she thinks Caleb is just obnoxious. Under normal circumstances, they’d never be friends. But these aren’t normal circumstances.
There’s a hurricane coming, and Valery and Caleb are both worried for Lyra, their neighbor’s terribly neglected dog. None of the adults in their lives will do anything, so they hatch a plan to rescue her themselves, no matter how risky.
The Dog Heist by @daniannejansen publishes on September 1, 2026. Cover design by @katy.dockrill . Pre-order the book from your local bookstore! For ages 9-12.
Come join Alina on a fun and brand-new adventure!
In the third book of The Alina Books series, Alina can’t wait to discover Nairobi with her cousin Safi.
Alina has grown up on the stories her family tells of Nairobi, Kenya, and now she’s going to see it all for herself! The street markets, the yummy food, and best of all, she gets to visit her cousin Safi. This summer, instead of the bulls at the Calgary Stampede, Alina is going to get up close and personal with a giraffe!
When Alina arrives in Nairobi, she finds it busy and loud. It’s not how she imagined, and she feels out of place. Will her adventures with Safi help her connect to her Kenyan roots? One thing is certain—Alina and Safi will make their own stories along the way!
Alina in Her Roots, written by Shenaaz G. Nanji, illustrated by @beenathemistry is publishing this Fall on September 15, 2026. Pre-order the book from your local bookstore! For ages 6-8.
Keep an eye out for more sneak previews of our upcoming Fall 2026 covers!
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.
This graphic novel explores food insecurity and shows how young people can take action like Mila, who against the backdrop of her school’s food drive, realizes her best friend Kit doesn’t always have enough food to eat. This inspires Mila to take a closer look at what it means to be food insecure and to learn about what she can do to support her friend and local community
Whether it’s speaking up, helping others, or stepping outside of your comfort zone, let’s encourage young people that every small act matters!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
We are honouring educators for their amazing hard work, dedication, and the role they play in shaping students everyday, both inside and outside the classroom.
At Second Story Press, we’re proud to support teachers with free resources that open up conversations, foster supportive communities, and deepen understanding of history, literature, and new perspectives.
Check out our website to explore our entire collection these insightful Teachers’ Guides!
Petites Lunettes is the new French imprint from Second Story Press!
Second Story Press is pleased to announce a new imprint for its French language books called Petites Lunettes par Second Story Press. Petites Lunettes will include the six French language titles the press has published to date, and all French language titles going forward.
As of May 1, 2026, Orca Book Publishers is the vendor of record for all of Second Story Press' French language titles under the Petites Lunettes imprint, continuing sales and distribution in the USA and adding sales and distribution in Canada. Orca Book Publishers will start accepting returns of books purchased through UTP within the eligible returns period as of August 1, 2026. UTP will process returns received at the UTP warehouse before July 31, 2026. Sales representation of Second Story Press' English-language titles will remain unchanged with Ampersand Inc. in Canada and Orca Book Publishers in the USA.
For orders email Orca Book Publishers at [email protected].
Petites Lunettes est la nouvelle marque française de Second Story Press!
Second Story Press est heureuse d'annoncer la création d'une nouvelle marque pour leurs ouvrages en français : Petites Lunettes par Second Story Press. Petites Lunettes regroupera les six titres en français déjà publiés par la maison d'édition, ainsi que tous les titres à venir.
À compter du 1er mai 2026, Orca Book Publishers sera le distributeur officiel de tous les titres en français de Second Story Press publiés sous la marque Petites Lunettes, assurant la vente et la distribution aux États-Unis et étendant ces activités au Canada. Orca Book Publishers acceptera les retours de livres achetés par l'intermédiaire d'UTP pendant la période de retour autorisée à compter du 1er août 2026. UTP traitera les retours reçus à son entrepôt avant le 31 juillet 2026. La distribution des titres en anglais de Second Story Press restera inchangée : Ampersand Inc. au Canada et Orca Book Publishers aux États-Unis.
Pour les commandes, veuillez contacter Orca Book Publishers: [email protected].
Congrats to Karin Wells, author of Women Who Woke Up the Law, on being a finalist for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing at the Politics and the Pen Gala in Ottawa. Women Who Woke Up the Law is a powerful biography of a group of women and the long-lasting legal legacy they created in advancing women’s rights in Canada. The jury said of the book: "For policymakers and voters alike, Wells’ book stands as an important and accessible reminder that progress toward equality is rarely an entirely organic process.”
Congratulations to Maggie Helwig and her publisher, Coach House Books. Maggie's book, Encampment: Resistance, Grace, and an Unhoused Community was the winner of the night. Such a profoundly moving and important book. In photo 1, Karin and SSP Publisher Emerita Margie Wolfe are with Maggie Helwig at the awards.
It was a wonderful night celebrating incredible writing and advocacy, and it didn’t end there. Karin also signed a copy of her book for the Speaker of the House of Commons!
We’re so proud of Karin and the recognition for this exceptional book!
We are so saddened by the loss of Nhung N. Tran-Davies. We were honoured that Nhung trusted us to publish two of her picture books—The Doll, illustrated by Ravy Puth, and Ten Cents a Pound, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon. Nhung’s books are beautifully poetic reflections on family and connection, with a central message that children should be protected and nurtured. The Doll was inspired by Nhung’s own story of coming to Canada from Vietnam as a child. She was greeted by an act of kindness on her arrival in this new country, and she returned that act of kindness to a child refugee arriving here decades later. She inspired us many times with her kindness.
We remember her by reading the hope and love in her words. We send our deep condolences to her family and friends.
All sales of Nhung’s books from our website during the month of May will be donated to the Children of Vietnam Benevolent Foundation.
The Mighty Muskrats Mystery Series by Michael Hutchinson is featured in @nytimes ’ Great Books to Bring Young Readers Into the Wilderness list! 🎉
“The kids have freedom to range far and wide, and they use their knowledge of their homeland to investigate crimes. "A member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, Hutchinson seamlessly weaves important aspects of Canadian history and Cree culture throughout the books.” —The New York Times
With six books in the series, they’re perfect for ages 9-12 to journey through the wilderness, one mystery at a time!
