living books

A fantastic way to learn about Canadian history is through historical fiction. It allows readers to dive into a period of history and experience it from someone living in that moment, getting a chance to understand their feelings of the world around them right then.

A great big thank you is due to a lady named Nicola who, in 2006, put together a long list of books of Canadian history.  It obviously took a lot of time and effort to compile the list, but as with all things – it was time for an update. Jyl, who had generously posted the list online for everyone, gave me permission to use and expand on Nicola’s original list.

If you have any suggestions for a book that is missing, please – message me with the details!

I have read and reviewed some of these books. You can read my reviews by clicking on any of the book titles that are bolded with links.

NEW 2022! UPDATED LIST. OVER 100 PAGES ORGANIZED BY TIME PERIOD/HISTORICAL EVENT. INCLUDES BLACK, INDIGENOUS, IMMIGRANT, AND WOMEN’S HISTORY STORIES. PRINTABLE OR DOWNLOADABLE! FIND IT IN MY STORE HERE –>CANADIAN HISTORY BOOK LIST

Please note I have used affiliate links on this page.


Table of Contents

First NationsInuit PeoplesVikingsExplorersAcadiaNew FranceFur TradeSeven Years WarUnited Empire LoyalistsWar of 1812Underground RailroadRebellion of 1837Exploration of the WestOpening of the WestSettlement of the WestFenian UprisingRiel RebellionArctic ExplorationGold RushKlondike Gold RushLife in the 1800sWWILife in the 1900sThe Great DepressionWWIIModern Canadian HistoryCanadian History


First Nations
Stories of Canada’s history through the eyes of the First Nations people.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to buy?
Mouse Woman and the Mischief MakersChristie HarrisRaincoast BooksGr. 5+Amazon
Native Peoples Robert Livesey StoddartGr. 5+Amazon
Raven's CryChristie HarrisDouglas & McintyreGr. 5+Amazon
Sacred Feathers: The Reverend Peter Jones (Kahkewaquonaby) and the Mississauga IndiansDonald B. SmithUniversity of Toronto PressGr. 9+Amazon
SweetgrassJan HudsonPuffinGr. 5+
The Whale PeopleRoderick L. Haig-BrownHarbourGr. 5+Amazon
White CalfCliff FaulknorGr. 4+
White MistBarbara SmuckerPuffin CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
White Slaves of the NootkasJohn R. JewittHeritage House Pub Gr. 5+

Inuit Peoples
Stories of Canada’s history through the eyes of the Inuit People.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere To Buy
AkavakJames Archibald HoustonHMH Books for Young Readers Gr. 3+
Houses of Snow, Skin and BonesBonnie ShemieTundra BooksGr. 2+Amazon
Igloo KillinekKenneth C. ButlerLongmans Canada
NapacheeRobert FeaganDundurn
Tikta'liktakJames Archibald HoustonHMH Books for Young Readers Gr. 3+
Wolf Run: A Caribou Eskimo Tale James Archibald HoustonHarcourt Brace JovanovichGr. 3+

Vikings
Stories of the Vikings arriving in Canada.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
The Dream Carvers Joan ClarkPuffin CanadaGr. 9+
The VikingsElizabeth JanewayRandom HouseGr. 3+
The VikingsRobert LiveseyFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 4+
Viking QuestTom HenighanDundurnGrade 7+Amazon
Yikes, Vikings!Frieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon

Explorers
Stories of the first European Explorers to Canada.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere To Buy
And Tomorrow The Stars: The Story of John CabotKay HillJM Dent
Bay of the North - The Story of Pierre RadissonRonald SymeHodder & StoughtonGr. 3+
Beware, PiratesFrieda WishinskyMaple Tree PressGr. 1+Amazon
Captured By the MohawksSterling NorthDell PublishingGr. 4+
Cartier Sails the St. LawrenceEsther AverillHarpercollinsGr.3+
Cartier, Finder of the St. LawrenceRonald SymeWilliam Morrow & Co LibraryGr. 3+
Champlain of the St. LawrenceRonald SymeWhite LionGr. 3+
Dangerous CoveJohn F. HayesThe Copp Clark Co. LimitedGr. 5+
Henry HudsonRonald SymeMorrowGr. 3+
Into Unknown Waters: John and Sebastian Cabot Eric Norman Simons Dobson Books Ltd
John Cabot & SonDavid GoodnoughTroll Communications Llc
The Map Maker: The Story of David ThompsonKerry WoodMacMillianGr. 4+
Man From St. MaloRobert D. FergusonMacmillan & CoGr. 5+
Mutiny in the Bay: Henry Hudson's Last Voyage Robert S. LambertMacMillan
The Story of Champlain: The First CanadianC.T. Ritchie MacmillanGr. 5+
A Whale TaleFrieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon

Acadia
Stories of the Acadian People.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere To Buy?
A Land DividedJohn F. HayesThe Copp, Clark Company, LimitedGr. 5+
A Proper AcadianMary Alice DownieKids Can PressGr. 3+
Dear Canada: Banished From Our HomeSharon StewartScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Evangeline and the AcadiansRobert TallentPelican PublishingGr. 3+Amazon
The Hand of Robin SquiresJoan ClarkFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Elizabeth #1 - Bless This HouseAnne Laurel CarterPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Elizabeth #2 - Pirate IslandAnne Laurel CarterPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Elizabeth #3 - A Hornbook ChristmasAnne Laurel CarterPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Elizabeth #4 - Wide As WingsAnne Laurel CarterPenguin BooksGr. 4+

New France
Stories of the first European Settlers in Canada.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere To Buy
Dear Canada: Alone in an Untamed LandMaxine TrottierScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: Winter of PerilJan AndrewsScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Flight From The FortressLyn CookFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
Frontenac and the IroquoisFred SwayzeMacmillanGr. 5+
Frontenac of New FranceRobert SymeWilliam MorrowGr. 4+
Lost in the SnowFrieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1 - 3Amazon
Madeleine Takes CommandEthel C BrillIgnatius PressGr. 5+Amazon
New FranceRobert LiveseyFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 4+Amazon
Pioneer Settlers of New FranceJoan AndersonDuttonGr. 5+
Raiders of the MohawkOrlo MillerThe Canadiana Company limitedGr. 5+
Soldier GirlRichard A. BoningBarnell Loft LtdGr. 3+
Streets of GoldGeorge RawlykOlympic Marketing CorpGr. 2-4
The Bold Heart: Story of Father LacombeJosephine PhelanCanadiana Company LimitedGr. 5+
The Hiding PlaceLyn CookFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
The King's DaughterSuzanne MartelGroundwood BooksGr. 4+Amazon
The King's LoonMary Alice DownieKids Can PressGr. 3+
The Last ShipMary Alice DowniePMA Books Gr. 5+

Fur Trade
Stories of the fur trade.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere To Buy
Adventurers from the BayClifford WilsonMacMillan and Co.Gr. 5+
Dear Canada: Where the River Takes MeJulie Lawson Scholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
EyewitnessMargaret ThompsonRonsdale PressAmazon
Fur TraderRobert D. FergusonMacmillanGr. 5+
The Fur Traders Robert LiveseyTurtleback Books Gr. 5+
Fur Trader of the NorthRonald SymeWilliam Morrow Gr. 3+
Hudson's Bay CompanyRichard MorenusRandom House
Runner of the WoodsC.T. RitchieMacmillanGr. 5+
The Broken BladeWilliam DurbinYearlingGr. 4+Amazon
The Last Fort: A Story of the French VoyageursElizabeth Coatsworth Literary Guild / Winston
The Nor'WestersMarjorie Wilkins CampbellMacmillanGr. 5+
Willa's New WorldBarbara DemersCoteau BooksGr. 5+Amazon
WinteringWilliam DurbinYearlingGr. 4+Amazon
With Pipe, Paddle and SongElizabeth YatesBethlehem BooksGr. 6+

Seven Years War
Or the American version: “The French & Indian War”.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge Range Where to Buy?
A Circle of Silver Maxine TrottierFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
Battle for the RockJoseph Schull St. Martin's Press Gr. 5+
Calico CaptiveElizabeth George SpeareHoughton Mifflin Harcourt Gr. 5+Amazon
Dear Canada: Death of My CountryMaxine TrottierScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Drummer Boy For MontcalmWilma Pitchford HaysMacmillan of CanadaGr. 3+
The Gold-Laced Coat: A Story of Old NiagaraHelen Fuller OrtonOld Fort Niagara Assn IncGr. 4+
I Am Canada: Storm the FortressMaxine TrottierScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
The Last FortElizabeth CoatsworthHamish HamiltonGr. 5+
Plains of Abraham James O. Curwood Fredonia Books Gr. 6+Amazon
With Wolfe in Quebec: The Winning of a ContinentGeorge HentryFireship PressGr. 6+Amazon

United Empire Loyalists
Stories of the families who were loyal to the British Empire.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Beginning Again: Further Adventures of a Loyalist FamilyMary Beacock FryerDundurnGr. 5+Amazon
By the Standing StoneMaxine TrottierFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
CharlotteJanet LunnTundra Books Gr. 2+
Dear Canada: With Nothing But CourageKarleen Bradford Scholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Escape, Adventures of a Loyalist FamilyMary Beacock FryerDundurnGr. 5+Amazon
FlightConnie Brummel CrookFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 4+
A Hollow TreeJanet LunnSeal BooksGr. 5+Amazon
Honor BoundMary Alice DownieQuarry PressGr. 3+
The Hungry YearConnie Brummel CrookFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
Joseph Brant: A Man for His People Helen Caister RobinsonDundurn
The Loyal RefugeesRobert Livesey Fitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 4+Amazon
Meyer's CreekConnie Brummel CrookFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 4+
Meyer's RebellionConnie Brummel CrookFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 4+Amazon
On Loyalist TrailsJohn F. HayesThe Copp Clark CompanyGr. 5+
The Perilous YearConnie Brummel CrookFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
Raiders of the Mohawk: The Story of Butler’s Rangers Orlo MillerMacMillanGr. 5+

War of 1812
Stories of the war between the United States and Britain.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
A River ApartRobert SutherlandFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
Acts of Courage: Laura Secord & the War of 1812Connie Brummel CrookPajama PressAmazon
Battle of Lake EriePierre BertonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
The Bully BoysEric WaltersPuffin CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Canada Under SiegePierre BertonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
The Capture of DetroitPierre BertonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
Dear Canada: Whispers of WarKit PearsonScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
The Death of Isaac BrockPierre BertonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
The Death of TecumsehPierre BertonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
FireShipMarianne BrandisPorcupine's QuillGr. 4+
General Brock and Niagara FallsSamuel Hopkins AdamsRandom HouseGr. 3+
The Good Soldier: The Story of Isaac Brock D.J. GoodspeedMacMillanGr. 4+
I Am Canada: A Call to BattleGillian ChanScholastic CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
Jeremy's War, 1812John IbbotsonKids Can Press Gr. 6+Amazon
Laura's ChoiceConnie Brummel CrookWindflower CommunicationsGr. 4+
Laura Secord: A Story of CourageJanet LunnTundra BooksGr. 4+Amazon
The Loxleys & the War of 1812Alan Grant et al.Renegade ArtsGr. 5+Renegade Arts
Revenge of the TribesPierre BertonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
Rowboat War: On the Great Lakes, 1812-14Fred SwayzeMacmillanGr. 5+
Schooner's RevengeRobert Sutherland Harper Trophy CanadaGr. 5+Amazon
Son of the HoundsRobert Sutherland Fitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
The Other ElizabethKarleen BradfordStarburst Digital Rights International Inc.Gr. 3+Amazon
The Soldier's SonTerry LeederDundurnGr.3+
The Story of the War of 1812Colonel Red ReederGr. 4+Amazon
Tecumseh: The Story of the Shawnee Chief Luella Bruce Creighton
St. Martin's Press
Treason at YorkJohn F. HayesThe Copp Clark Publishing Co.Gr. 5+
Under a Shooting StarMaxine TrotterFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 4+
The Bully BoysEric WaltersPuffin Gr. 4+Amazon

Underground Railroad
Stories of the slaves who made an escape to freedom.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
BradyJean FritzPuffinGr 4+Amazon
Dark of the MoonBarbara Haworth-AttardRoussanGr 4+
Dear Canada: A Desperate Road to FreedomKarleen BradfordScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Hurry, FreedomFrieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon
If You Travelled By Underground RailroadEllen LevineScholastic Teaching ResourcesGr 3+Amazon
The Last SafehouseBarbara GreenwoodKids Can PressGr. 3+
North Winds Blow FreeElizabeth HowardScottieGr 6+
Our Canadian Girl: Rachel #1 - A Mighty Big ImaginingLynne Kositsky Penguin CanadaGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Rachel #2 - The Maybe HouseLynne Kositsky Penguin CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Rachel #3 - Certificate Of FreedomLynne Kositsky Penguin CanadaGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Rachel #4 - An Elephant Tree ChristmasLynne Kositsky Penguin CanadaGr. 4+
Underground to CanadaBarbara SmuckerPuffinGr 5+Amazon

Rebellion of 1837
Stories of the Upper Canada Rebellion.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
The Boy With an R In His HandJames ReaneyPorcupine's QuillGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: A Rebel's DaughterJanet LunnScholastic CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
A Matter of ConscienceMary HosmarWord Alive PressGr. 5+Amazon
A Question of Loyalty Barbara GreenwoodScholastic PaperbacksGr. 4+Amazon
Rebel on the TrailLyn CookMacMillanGr. 4+
Rebels Ride at NightJohn F. HayesGr. 5+

Exploration of the West
Stories of the explorers who headed west.

TitleAuthor PublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
A Dog Came, Too: A True StoryAinslie MansonGroundwood BooksGr. 2+
Alexander Mackenzie, Canadian ExplorerRonald SymeMorrowGr. 3+
Captain of the DiscoveryRoderick Haig-BrownMacMillanGr. 5+
The Map-MakerKerry WoodMacMillanGr. 4+
The Savage River: Seventy-One Days With Simon FraserMarjorie Wilkins CampbellFifth HouseGr. 5+
The Sky CaribouMary HamiltonPMA BooksGr.2+
Trailmaker: Alexander Mackenzie Richard S. LambertMcClelland & Stewart
Vancouver, Explorer of the Pacific CoastRobert SymeMarrowGr. 3+
West to the Cariboo Lorrie McLaughlinMacMillan

Opening of the West
Stories of RCMP & the Railroad.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
All Aboard!Frieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon
Bugles in the HillsJohn F. Hayes(unknown)Gr. 5+
Dear Canada: A Ribbon of Shining SteelJulie LawsonScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
The Force Carries OnT. Morris LongstrethMacMillanGr. 5+
I Am Canada: Blood and IronPaul YeeScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
The Men in Sheepskin CoatsPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
A Prairie NightmarePierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
The Queen's CowboyKelly WoodMacMillanGr. 5+
The Railway PathfindersPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
The RailwaysR. Livesey & A.G. SmithFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Richard NeubergerRandom HouseGr. 4+
The Scarlet ForceT. Morris LongstrethMacMillanGr. 5+
Steel Across the PlainsPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
Steel Across the ShieldPierre BurtonGr. 4+
Steel RibbonJohn F. HayesCopp ClarkGr. 5+

Settlement of the West
Stories of the people who moved and settled in the west.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Dear Canada: A Prairie As Wide as the SeaSarah EllisScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
The DollCora TaylorGreystone BooksGr. 5+Amazon
The Great Chief: Maskepetoon: Warrior of the CreesKerry Wood & John A. HallMacMillanGr. 5+
Ida and the Wool SmugglersSue Ann AldersonGroundwood/Douglas & McIntyreGr. 1+
On the CaseFrieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon
PettranellaBetty WatertonGroundwoodGr. 1+
Pioneer GirlMaryanne CaswellTundra BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Storm ChildBrenda Bellingham LorimerGr. 4+
Tell Me, GrandmotherLyn HancockMcClelland & StewartGr. 5+
When Calls the HeartJanette OkeBethany House PublishersGr. 6+Amazon

Fenian Uprising
Stories of the 1866 raids of the Fenians on Canadian forts.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
The Ballad of D’Arcy McGee: Rebel in Exile Josephine Phelan Macmillan
Spy in the ShadowsBarbara GreenwoodKids Can PressGr. 5+
The Stone OrchardSusan E. MerrittVanwell Publishing Ltd Gr. 4+

Riel Rebellion
Stories of the rebellions led by Louis Riel.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Buckskin Brigadier: The Story of the Alberta Field ForceEdward McCourtMacmillan
Dear Canada: Blood Upon Our LandMaxine TrottierScholastic CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
Fifty Dollar Bride: Marie Rose SmithJack CarpenterGray's Publishing
Flaming PrairieJohn F. HayesGr. 5+
Perilous PrairieDickson ReynoldsThe Ryerson Press
Revolt in the WestEdward McCourtMacMillanGr. 5+
Soldier BoysDavid RichardsThistledown PressGr. 6+ Amazon
A Very Small RebellionJan TrussFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon

Arctic Exploration
Stories of the explorers who headed north to the Arctic.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Across Frozen SeasJohn WilsonDundurnGr. 4+Amazon
Arctic AssignmentSGT. F.S. FarrarMacMillanGr. 5+
Coppermine JourneyFarley MowatMcClelland & StewartGr. 6+
Dr. Kane of the Arctic SeasPierre BurtonMcClelland & Stewart Gr. 4+
I Am Canada: Graves of IceJohn WilsonScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Jane Franklin's ObsessionPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
The Link Between the OceansLeslie H. Neatby
Mystery in the Frozen LandsMartyn GodfreyLorimarGr. 5+
Parry of the ArcticPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
Trapped in the ArcticPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
The True North: The Story of Captain Joseph Bernier T.C. FairleyMacMillan

Gold Rush
Stories of the gold rush of British Columbia.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Cariboo RunawaySandy F. DuncanPacific Edge PublishingGr. 4+
Dear Canada: A Trail of Broken DreamsBarbara Haworth-AttardScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: An Ocean ApartGillian ChanScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
The Golden RoseDayle Campbell GaetzGr. 5+
Our Canadian Girl: Lisa #1- Overland To CaribooPriscilla GallowayPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Lisa #2 -The Trail To Golden CaribooPriscilla GallowayPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Lisa #3 -The Trouble With GoldPriscilla GallowayPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Lisa #4 - Have I Found A GoldminePriscilla GallowayPenguin Books Gr. 4+Amazon
Quest in the CaribooJohn F. Hayes Copp ClarkGr. 5+

Klondike Gold Rush
Stories of the gold rush in the Yukon.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Before the Gold RushPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
Bonanza GoldPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
Call of the WildJack LondonDover PublicationsGr. 5+Amazon
Crazy for GoldFrieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon
The Cremation of Sam McGeeRobert W. ServiceKids Can PressGr. 5+Amazon
Down the YukonWill HobbsMiddle GradeGr. 5+Amazon
The Golden TrailPierre BurtonFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+
Gold-Fever TrailMonica HughesFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 5+Amazon
Jason's GoldWill HobbsMiddle GradeGr. 5+Amazon
Kings of the KlondikePierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
The Klondike StampedePierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
Martha Black, Gold Rush PioneerCarol MartinDouglas & McIntyreGr. 2+
Our Canadian Girl: Emily #4 - Summer of GoldJulie LawsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Stampede for Gold: The Story of the Klondike RushPierre Burton Sterling
Trails of '98 : The Great Klondike Gold RushPierre BurtonMcClelland & StewartGr. 4+
Yukon River: An Adventure to the Gold Fields of the KlondikePeter LouieBoyds Mills PressGr. 3+

Life in the 1800s
Stories of the people who lived in Canada during the 1800s.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Alexander Graham Bell, An Inventive LifeElizabeth MacLeodKids Can PressGr. 3+Amazon
The Backwoods of CanadaCatharine Parr Traill New Canadian LibraryGr. 7+Amazon
The Belonging PlaceJean LittlePuffin CanadaGr. 3+Amazon
Beyond the WaterfallElaine Breault HammondRagweed BooksGr. 5+
The Broken BladeWilliam DurbinYearlingGr. 5+Amazon
Buckskin ColonistJohn F. HayesThe Copp Clark Publishing Co.Gr. 5+
Canal BoyMarion GreeneThe Macmillan Company of CanadaGr. 5+
Danger on the TracksBill Freeman LorimerGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: A Country of Our OwnKarleen BradfordScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: Days of Toil and TearsSarah EllisScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: Flame and AshesJanet McNaughtonScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: Footsteps in the SnowCarol MatasScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: Orphan At My DoorJean LittleScholastic CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
Dear Canada: A Sea of SorrowsNorah McClintockScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Death Over MontrealGeoffrey Bilson Kids Can PressGr. 4+
Eliza's Best WednesdayCarol Sargent Kids Can Press Gr. 2+Amazon
First Lady of Upper CanadaFlorence McLaughlinBurns & MacEachernGr. 5+
First Spring on the Grand BanksBill FreemanLorimerGr. 4+
Glengarry School DaysRalph Connor New Canadian Library Gr. 7+Amazon
Harbour ThievesBill FreemanLorimerGr. 4+Amazon
LamplighterBernice Thurman HunterScholastic Canada Gr. 3+
The Last Voyage of the ScotianBill FreemanLorimerGr. 4+
The Legends of the Lake on the Mountain: An Early Adventure of John A. MacdonaldRoderick BennsFireside Publishing HouseGr. 5+Amazon
Life in the Clearings Versus the BushSusanne MoodieCreatespace Gr. 7+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Angelique #1 - Buffalo HuntCora TaylorPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Angelique #1 The Long Way HomeCora TaylorPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Angelique #3 - Autumn AloneCora TaylorPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Angelique #4 - Angel In The SnowCora TaylorPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Emily #1 - Across the James Bay BridgeJulie LawsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Emily #2 - Disaster on the BridgeJulie LawsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Emily #3 - Building BridgesJulie LawsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Marie-Claire #1 - Dark SpringKathy StinsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Marie-Claire #2 - A Season of SorrowKathy StinsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Marie -Claire #3 - The VistorsKathy StinsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Marie -Claire #4 - Angels In WinterKathy StinsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Pioneer CraftsBarbara GreenwoodKids Can PressGr. 3+
A Pioneer Story: Daily Life of a Canadian Family in 1840Barbara GreenwoodKids Can PressGr. 3+
A Pioneer Thanksgiving: A Story of the Harvest CelebrationBarbara GreenwoodKids Can PressGr. 3+Amazon
The Pioneer YearsBarry BroadfootDoubledayGr. 8+
Prairie Fire!Bill FreemanLorimerGr. 4+Amazon
The Quarter-Pie WindowMarianne BrandisTundra Books Gr. 6+
Red River AdventureJ.W. ChalmersMacMillanGr. 5+
Rescue At Fort EdmontonRita FeutlCoteau BooksGr. 4+Amazon
The Root CellarJanet LunnSeal BooksGr. 5+Amazon
Roughing It in the BushSusanne MoodieCreatespaceGr. 7+Amazon
The Secret of Willow CastleLyn CookMacMillan
Selina and the Bear Paw QuiltBarbara SmuckerFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 1+Amazon
Selina and the Shoo-Fly PieBarbara SmuckerFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 1+
Shantymen of Cache LakeBill FreemanLorimerGr. 4+Amazon
The Sign of the ScalesMarianne BrandisTundra BooksGr. 6+Amazon
Stop that Stagecoach!Frieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1 - 3Amazon
The TinderboxMarianne BrandisTundra BooksGr. 6+
The Tin-Lined TrunkMary HamiltonKids Can PressGr. 4+
Tom Penny and the Grand CanalTony GermanMcClelland & StewartGr. 5+
The Tramp RoomNancy-Lou PattersonWilfrid Laurier University Press
Trouble at Lachine MillBill FreemanLorimerGr. 6+Amazon
The Value of Self-Discipline: The Story of Alexander Graham BellAnn Donegan JohnsonValue CommunicationsGr. 2+
Winter Studies and Summer Rambles in CanadaAnna JamesonCambridge University PressGr. 7+Amazon
WinteringWilliam DurbinRaven Products Inc. Gr. 5+Amazon
Within a Painted PastHazel Hutchins Annick Press Gr. 5+

WWI
Stories of Canadians and the First World War.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Chaos in HalifaxCathy BeveridgeRonsdale PressGr. 4+Amazon
Days of TerrorBarbara SmuckerPuffin CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
Dear Canada: Brothers Far From HomeJean Little Scholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: No Safe HarbourJulie LawsonScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
The Halifax DisasterErnest Fraser RobinsonVanwell Pub.Gr. 5+
Halifax Explodes! Frieda Wishinsky Maple TreeGr. 1- 3Amazon
I Am Canada: Fire in the SkyDavid WardScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
I Am Canada: Shot at DawnJohn WilsonScholastic CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
In Flanders FieldsLinda GranfieldFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 3+Amazon
Irish ChainBarbara Haworth-AttardHarper Trophy CanadaGr. 5+Amazon
Knights of the AirJohn Norman HarrisMacMillanGr. 5+
Our Canadian Girl: Millie - Book #1 - Ride The RiverTroon HarrisonPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Millie - Book 2 -The Button NecklaceTroon HarrisonPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Millie - Book 3 - The Star SupperTroon HarrisonPenguin BooksGr. 4+ Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Millie - Book 4 - Dandelion DaysTroon HarrisonPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Penelope #1 - Terror in the HarborSharon E McKay Penguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Penelope #2 - The Glass CastleSharon E. McKayPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Penelope #3 - An Irish PennySharon E. McKayPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Penelope #4 - Christmas ReunionSharon E. McKayPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Rilla of InglesideLucy Maud MontgomeryGr. 5+Amazon

Life in the 1900’s
Stories of life before WWII.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy?
Amy's PromiseBernice Thurman HunterScholastic Canada Gr. 4+
Anne of Green GablesL.M.MontgomeryGr. 4+
The AuctionJan AndrewsGroundwood BooksGr. K-2Amazon
Belle's JourneyMarilynn ReynoldsCrow Cottage Publishing Gr. K+Amazon
Dear Canada: All Fall DownJean LittleScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: If I Die Before I WakeJean LittleScholastic CanadaGr. 4+
Dear Canada: That Fatal NightSarah EllisScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: An Ocean ApartGillian ChanScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Emily Carr's WooConstance HorneOolichan BooksGr. 3+
Flying High!Frieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1 - 3Amazon
Goodbye SarahGeoffrey Bilson Kids Can PressGr. 4+
Grass Beyond The MountainsRichmond P. HobsonMcClelland & Stewart Amazon
Graveyard of the SeaPenny DraperCoteau BooksGr. 4+Amazon
His Banner Over MeJean LittlePuffin CanadaGr. 5+
Home ChildBarbara Haworth-AttardHarper Trophy CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
I Am Canada: Deadly VoyageHugh BrewsterScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Josepha: A Prairie Boy's StoryJim McGuganRed Deer PressGr. 4+
Klee WyckEmily CarrFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 7+Amazon
Lost in the BarrensFarley MowatEmblem EditionsGr. 5+Amazon
Make it Fair!Frieda Wishinsky
Maple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon
Margaret in the MiddleBernice Thurman Hunter Scholastic CanadaGr. 4+
Margaret on Her WayBernice Thurman Hunter Scholastic CanadaGr. 4+
Mrs. MikeBenedict Freedman BerkleyGr. 7+Amazon
Nellie L.Connie CrookFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 4+
Nothing Too Good for a CowboyRichmond P. HobsonMcClelland & StewartAmazon
Our Canadian Girl Keeley #1 The Girl From Turtle MountainDeborah EllisPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl Keeley #2 - Keeleys Big StoryDeborah EllisPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl Keeley #3 - Keeley And The MountainDeborah EllisPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl Keeley #4 Keeleys Journey Deborah EllisPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Outcasts of River FallsJacqueline GuestCoteau BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Pioneer KidsFrieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1 - 3Amazon
Pit PonyJoyce BarkhouseFormacGr. 3+Amazon
A Place For MargaretBernice Thurman Hunter Scholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Promise SongLinda HolemanTundra BooksGr. 5+Amazon
The Rancher Takes a WifeRichmond P. HobsonMcClelland & Stewart
SOS! Titanic!Frieda Wishinsky Maple TreeGr. 1 - 3Amazon
StormstruckCathy BeveridgeRonsdale PressGr. 4+Amazon
Terrible Roar of WaterPenny DraperCoteau BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Terror at Turtle MountainPenny DraperCoteau BooksGr. 4+Amazon
They Called Her Mrs. DocJanette OkeBethany House PublishersGr. 6+Amazon
Ticket to CurlewCelia Barker LottridgeGroundwood Books Gr. 4+Amazon
Trapped by CoalConstance HornePacific Educational PrGr. 4+
Where the Saints Have TrodJudith St.John Oxford University PressGr. 5+
The White Stone in the Castle WallSheldon ObermanTundra Books Gr. K-3Amazon

The Great Depression
Stories of the 1930s, in the midst of the Great Depression.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
As for Me and My HouseSinclair RossNew Canadian Library Gr. 9+Amazon
A Bird in the HouseMargaret LaurenceNew Canadian LibraryGr. 9+Amazon
BreakawayPaul YeeTopeka BinderyGr. 7+
Butter Down the Well: Reflections of a Canadian ChildhoodRobert CollinsGreystone BooksAmazon
Dear Canada: To Stand On My OwnBarbara Haworth-Attard Scholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
From Anna Jean LittleScholastic Canada Gr. 4+Amazon
The Stone AngelMargaret LaurenceNew Canadian LibraryGr. 9+Amazon
Ten Lost Years, 1929-1939:
Memories of Canadians Who Survived the Depression
Barry BroadfootMcClelland & StewartGr. 8+Amazon
That Scatterbrain BookyBernice Thurman HunterScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
With Love From BookyBernice ThurmanScholastic CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
As Ever, BookyBernice ThurmanScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Who Has Seen the WindW.O. MitchellNew Canadian LibraryGr. 6+
Amazon

WWII
Stories of Canadians and the Second World War.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
A Child in Prison CampShizuye TakashimaTundra BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Catch Me Once, Catch Me TwiceJanet McNaughtonStoddart KidsGr. 7+Amazon
Dear Canada: Exiles From the WarJean LittleScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: Pieces of the PastCarol MatasScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: Torn ApartSusan Aihoshi Scholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Dear Canada: Turned AwayCarol MatasScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Explosion at Dawson CreekElaine Breault HammondNimbus PublishingGr. 5+ Amazon
Far From HomeFrieda WishinskyMaple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon
Hawk and StretchBernice Thurman HunterGr. 4+
High Flight: A Story of World War IILinda GranfieldTundra BooksAmazon
Hockeybat HarrisGeoffrey Bilson Kids Can PressGr. 5+Amazon
I Am Canada: Behind Enemy LinesCarol MatasScholastic CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
I Am Canada: Prisoner of DieppeHugh BrewsterScholastic CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
I Am Canada: Sink and DestroyEdward KayScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Just Like NewAinslie MansonGroundwood Gr. K +
The Lights Go On AgainKit PearsonPuffin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Listen to the SingingJean LittleDuttonGr. 4+
Looking at the MoonKit PearsonPuffin CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Naomi's RoadJoy KogawaFitzhenry & WhitesideGr. 4+Amazon
The Old Brown SuitcaseLillian Boraks-NemetzRonsdale PressGr. 6+Amazon
One More Border:The True Story of One Family's Escape from War-torn EuropeShelly TanakaGroundwood BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Ellen- Book 1 - Hobo Jungle Dorothy Joan HarrisPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Ellen #2 - The Wishing Time Dorothy Joan HarrisPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Ellen #3 - The Waiting Time Dorothy Joan HarrisPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Ellen #4 - A Time For Courage Dorothy Joan HarrisPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Izzie - Book 1 - The Christmas That Almost Wasn'tBudge WilsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Izzie #2 - Trongate FuryBudge WilsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+
Our Canadian Girl: Izzie #3 - Patricias SecretBudge WilsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Izzie #4 - Homecoming Budge WilsonPenguin BooksGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Margit, Book 1 - Home FreeKathy KacerPenguin CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Margit - Book 2 - A Bit of Love and a Bit of LuckKathy KacerPenguin CanadaGr. 4+ Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Margit - Book 3 - Open Your DoorsKathy KacerPenguin Canada Gr. 4+ Amazon
Our Canadian Girl: Margit - Book 4 - A Friend in NeedKathy KacerPenguin CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Ships of the Great Days: Canada's Navy in WWII Joseph SchullMacmillan
Six War YearsBarry BroadfootDoubleday CanadaGr. 8+
The Sky is FallingKit PearsonPuffin CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Years of Sorrow, Years of ShameBarry BroadfootDoubleday CanadaGr. 8+

Modern Canadian History
Stories since the Second World War.

TitleAuthor PublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
Arctic StormFrieda Wishinsky Maple TreeGr. 1-3Amazon
The Night Hazel Came to TownJohn IbbitsonGr. 7+
One Proud SummerMarsha Hewitt Women's PressGr. 6+
Pegeen and the PilgrimLyn CookTundra BooksGr. 4+
Peril at Pier NinePenny DraperCoteau BooksGr. 4+Amazon
The RailroaderBernice Thurman HunterScholastic Canada Gr. 4+
Terry Fox: His StoryLeslie ScrivenerMcClelland & StewartGr. 6+ Amazon
The Treasure of the Long SaultMonica HughesFitzhenry and WhitesideGr. 6+
The Value of Facing a Challenge: The Story of Terry FoxAnn Donegan Johnson Value CommunicationsGr. 2-4
The Value of Tenacity: The Story of Maurice RichardAnn Donegan Johnson Value CommunicationsGr. 2-4

Canadian History
Stories that cover other topics or wide sections – or all – of Canadian history.

TitleAuthorPublisherAge RangeWhere to Buy
BeginningsAnn WalshRonsdale PressGr. 5+Amazon
Canada and Her Story Mary Graham BonnerGeorge G. Harrap & Co Ltd
The Canadian StoryMay McNeerFarrarGr. 3+
Dear Canada: A Christmas To RememberScholastic CanadaGr. 4+Amazon
Danger, Dinosaurs!Frieda WishinskyOwlKids BooksGr. 1+Amazon
Famous Canadian StoriesGeorge E. TaitMcClelland & StewartGr. 5+
Famous Dead CanadiansJoanne StanbridgeScholastic CanadaAmazon
Famous Dead Canadians 2Joanne StanbridgeScholastic CanadaAmazon
The Great Adventure: An Illustrated History of Canada for Young CanadiansDonalda DickieJ.M. Dent & Co. Gr. 4+
Great Canadian Lives: Portraits in Heroism to 1867Karen FordNelson CanadaGr. 3+
The Kids Book of Canadian Prime MinistersPat Hancock Kids Can PressAmazon
My First History of CanadaDonalda DickieRed Leaf PressGr. 4+
O CanadaIsabel BarclayDoubleday Books for Young ReadersGr. 3+
O Canada: Our National AnthemCalixa LavalleeScholastic Canada
One Dominion Under the Name of Canada: From 1800-1900George E. TaitThe Ryerson Press
A Picture Gallery of Canadian History (3 Vols.)C.W. JefferiesThe Ryerson PressAll Ages
A Picture History of CanadaClarke HuttonOxfordGr. 3+
The Story of CanadaChristopher Moore & Janet LunnKey Porter BooksGr. 5+

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18 thoughts on “Canadian History Through Living Books”

  1. Thanks for the collection of titles. I was wondering if there were meant to be so many empty categories? or if there is a glitch with the list?

  2. Thank you so much for a living book list on Canadian History and for including the approximate age level. I will be using this list to create my high school Canadian History and Geography course.

    1. Hi Lindsay,

      I hadn’t heard of this book, but thanks for sharing it with me. I’ll reach out to the publisher to see if I can find out any more information.

      Thanks!
      Lisa Marie.

    2. I just stumbled across this book at a library sale! It’s actually a great little book. Condensed but really good overview of Canadian history.

  3. Wow, thank you so much for compiling this amazing and comprehensive list! I appreciate how much of the literature comes from a First Nations perspective. We will certainly be diving into this list in the years coming! Your time is truly appreciated.

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