IN THE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR COLLECTION Spring 2021
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NON-FICTION
Canada’s Irish Pioneers: their story by Lucille H. Campey
A vivid and detailed account of the Irish immigrants who settled in early Canada, Canada's Irish Pioneers is Lucille Campey's third book on Irish immigration to Canada. It incorporates material from her two previous books relating to Atlantic Canada and Ontario and Quebec and describes their settlements in the Prairies and British Columbia. Information is also given on the financial assistance provided by landlords to their tenants during the famine years and by the custodians of workhouses later on. Canada's Irish Pioneers is the first, fully-documented account, produced in recent times, of the great migration of Irish people to Canada. It is packed full of data on sea crossings and settlements, and the phenomenal geographical progress which the Irish made across Canada can be viewed in twenty six maps. The Irish were ambitious people with big dreams who were desperate to escape from the poverty in their homeland. This saga is all about the thrusting, brave and well-organized immigrants who prospered
Self-published, 2020
Essays on the Legal History of Newfoundland and Labrador before Confederation edited by Melvin Baker, Jerry Bannister and Christopher P. Curran
This volume contains seven chapters canvassing a wide variety of issues. It offers a fresh perspective on the development of the law and legal institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador. Taken as a whole, the volume presents an opportunity to reflect on how far legal history has come in Newfoundland and Labra- dor over the past generation. Contributing authors are: Christopher Morry, Augustus Lilly, Kurt Korneski, Hans Rollman, John Cheeseman, Melvin Baker and Gerald Penney. Includes B&W and colour illustrations and photographs.
Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2019
Future Possible: an art history of Newfoundland and Labrador edited by Mireille Egan
How do you begin to write an art history and what are the vital questions to ask? Which marks are most prominent in the visual culture of a particular place, and which are nearly invisible? In Future Possible, Mireille Eagan and other writers and artists navigate the tangled histories and cultures of Newfound- land and Labrador to investigate the visual output and to write the narrative that it has created. The result is an ambitious volume, arising from a two-part exhibition of the same name at The Rooms, that provides a multi-vocal, multi-faceted history spanning pre- and post-Confederation Newfoundland. Lavishly illustrated with 180 images of art and objects from the province's visual history, Future Possible features essays by curators and artists on topics such as pre-Confederation art; contemporary art, craft, and Indigenous culture; and outsider and folk art. This intriguing volume places artifacts from the province's history and work by icon- ic Newfoundland and Labrador artists such as Gerald Squires, and Mary Pratt in conversation with works by contemporary artists like Jordan Bennett and Kym Greeley. Together they explore how history is told and retold through objects and images and how these objects and images, and the power structures that pre- serve them, define an understanding of place.
Goose Lane Editions/ The Rooms Corporation, 2021
Identity on the Land: company towns in Canada by Lucie K. Morisset and Jessica Mace
The company town is a built environment created by an industry to house the workers of an industrial site. It also often becomes a social project. In Canada, where the quest for resources punctuated human settle- ment, company towns marked the territory, culture and collective imagination of generations of inhabitants. They also wrote modern history in Canada, and defined its presence in the world. Founded on a study of over 200 company towns- including Grand Falls, Corner Brook and others in Newfoundland and Labrador- this book presents their saga.
Patrimonium, 2019
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NON-FICTION
I’ll Go the Length of Meself: the story of Newfoundland’s daring rascal, Captain by Philip Earle Guy Earle, North America’s youngest master mariner
Captain Guy Earle of Carbonear was a legendary master mariner of Newfoundland & Labrador. Read the in- credible story of this daring and compassionate rascal who sailed and soared in the times of schooners and rum running. Penned by his son, Dr. Phil Earle, I’ll Go the Length of Meself is a must-read for anyone in- terested in our province’s history and fishing culture; and in fearless figures who fascinate and inspire. Geoff Sterling once called Skipper Guy a “Newfoundland Hero.” Premier Smallwood referred to him as a “very great native son.”
Self-published, 2020
Keep on Walking: a journey from disability to dis-ability by Sheldon R. S. Crocker
“Have you ever hit rock bottom? Have you ever slumped in the darkness, lost your enjoyment for living and wondered, ‘what does it all mean?’ Have you ever sensed that you were on the outside looking in, and felt hopeless? If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been hobbling through life, Keep On Walking is the story of a spiritual journey from surviving to thriving. It’s my own tale, but my intention in sharing this story is to inspire others to try to find the same grit and determination that was buried deep within my heart. I spent years running in the prison that I had been told was my reality: that I am a broken, hurt, damaged, and disabled boy. It was only when I decided to start walking out of this imagined jail that I discovered my own inner light. As I kept walking, I be- gan healing decades of trauma and found more liberty and love both within my soul and without. This is the story of my fall and my rise, and I hope you will Keep On Walking with me.” - Sheldon Crocker
Self-published, 2020
A Nurturing Darkness: meditations on the root cellars of Newfoundland: the artwork of Carol Bajen-Gahm by Emily Demming and Carol Bajen-Gahm A Nurturing Darkness presents the art of Carol Bajen-Gahm as she meditates on the root cellars of Newfoundland. It consists of twenty-two mixed-media abstract paintings in which she uses encaustic and oil paints, seaweed prints, netting, photo transfers and other media to distill the many aspects of these dark but nurturing underground structures still extant in many Newfoundland outports. She explores their dark, confined spaces that create an indifference to time and space and generate a fear that leads to a deeper understanding. Her geologic processes of deposition and erosion (painting and scraping) create a balance between form and color; shape and texture that engenders a deep sense of seeing. Carol and her studio are literally immersed in the wild surroundings of the North Atlantic and, as a conse- quence, Carol's art is steeped in the soul of Newfoundland.
Komatik Press, 2019
The Quest for a “National” Nationalism: E.J. Pratt’s epic ambition, “race” consciousness, and the contradictions of Canadian identity by George Elliott Clarke
In his 2018 Pratt Lecture, The Quest for a ‘National’ Nationalism, renowned author and critic George Elliott Clarke investigates E.J. Pratt’s poetic attempt to become the epic poet of Canada. And while Pratt’s epic poems, such as Brebeuf and His Brethren and Towards the Last Spike, stand as lofty poetic achieve- ments, the poet is never able to escape his own identity and speak convincingly for all Canadians. Unable to speak for Francophones, Indigenous peoples, and People of Colour, Pratt becomes the epic poet of the es- tablishment, but never truly of the people.
Breakwater Books, 2021 Also available and an ebook.
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NON-FICTION
The Roads I’ve Taken: a memoir by Corey Gladstone Crewe
The Roads I've Taken tells Corey's life story with its hills and valleys, twists and turns, joys and sor- rows. As a member of the well known Newfoundland singing duo Corey and Trina, this journey has taken many roads that will be sure to entertain.
Self-published, 2017
The Southern Circuit Court at Ferryland: the documentary record, 1826-1872 edited by Christopher P. Curran
This volume traces the history of the Southern Circuit Court from its inception in 1826 to its demise in 1972, through an examination of the common law and statutory record. With the new century in the offing it also traces the reform efforts leading to the development of the streamlined judicial apparatus that would carry Newfoundland and Labrador into the 20th century.
Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2019
That Wasn’t the Plan: a memoir by Reg Sherren
Many Canadians will remember Reg Sherren as host of the popular CBC TV program Country Canada, when he crisscrossed the nation sniffing out amazing but little-known stories of life in small towns and rural areas. Others will recall his many years as feature reporter for CBC's flagship news program, The National, collect- ing stories like that of Montreal inventor Catalin Alexandru Duru magically soaring above the earth on his home-made hover board to set a new Guinness World Record. In the course of his eventful career Sherren did everything from guest hosting network radio shows like Cross Country Checkup to reporting from war zones, and his experiences make for a book bristling with memorable characters, unbelievable events and provocative reflection. In this memoir, Sherren shares behind-the-scenes stories of his career in television journalism and the many Canadians he met along the way, from the time he rode on the back of a humpback whale, to chronicling a journey down the world's longest ice road in a solar-powered car. Sherren also pro- vides insight into the changing business of broadcasting, having witnessed up-close how the industry has evolved, and why it is more important now than ever. That Wasn't the Plan will appeal to industry insiders, CBC fans, history buffs and anyone who simply enjoys a good rollicking read. Douglas & McIntyre, 2020
Threading the Needles of Life: a quiet reflection by George Byron Crocker
This is the story of the author, George Crocker, who was born in Creston South, now a part of Marystown. He is a brain injury survivor, from a massive stroke and brain surgery on March 27th, 2015. The inspiration to begin writing this book occurred during the darkest days of his early recovery. With a brain injury and limited computer and typing skills, he succeeded in the writing contained inside these pages. His writing contains insights into the human spirit and explains the true grit needed in pulling through life's perpetual struggles. George has learned that life is often like threading a needle; frustrating, maddening, but with persistence, te- nacity and "figuring it out on my own," goals can be accomplished. At the end of the day, George like so many brain injury survivors, has the courage to say "Yes, I will try again tomorrow." The road to recovery is long hard and slow - a journey that has got to be one of the most inspiring and profound examples of human resili- ency and the power of our brains to heal and adapt. Tellwell Talent, 2017
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NON-FICTION
Time Fragments: traces of Newfoundland: the artwork of Margaret Ryall by Margaret Ryall
Newfoundland artist Margaret Ryall collects things or, as she would say, objects find her. They are pieces of old houses and sheds, discarded fishing gear, bits and pieces of peoples homes, their work, their lives, fragments that time has left behind, remnants of a style of life quickly disappearing. From these bits and pieces, she makes new constructions relating things that were never related in the past, raising the commonest of objects to a new level of honor and respect, and she does it with a Modernist's balance of line and color and proportion overlaying a historian's point of view. Time Fragments presents twenty nine images of Margaret's constructions with her comments about each of them. This is the second book in a series celebrating little-sung Newfoundland artists. Komatik Press, 2019
Twillingate Lodge No. 7, AF & AM: 130 years of Freemasonry, 1889-2019 by David J. Clarke and Ralph B. Smith
The outport fishing community of Twillingate was at one time known as Newfoundland's "Capital of the North." While the fishery remains important to Twillingate, today it is also a bustling provincial tourist destination. Twillingate has many institutions of which its residents can be proud, not least among these is its local chapter of the Freemasons. In fact, the town has been home to a Masonic Lodge for well over a century. Its origins can be traced as far back as 1889.In that year a group of influential Twillingate residents met at the town's Court House, to found a Chapter of the Masonic Order. Their efforts bore fruit, and for many years Twillin- gate Freemasons have made a positive contribution to their community. With the goal of "making good men better," Twillingate Lodge No. 7 (formerly No. 2364) has witnessed many milestones over the course of its existence, not least of which was the building of its beautiful Temple in 1906-7, at a time when membership amounted to only a few dozen men. In 2019 the Lodge marked its 130th Anniversary. As was the case in 1889, Twillingate Lodge No. 7 remains a vibrant and active part of the local community. Thirteen decades on, Twillingate Masons still strive to lead by example. This small volume is intended as a tribute to all those Brothers, past and present, who have given of their time and effort to ensure that our Craft remains a positive model for our fellow citizens.
2019
Voices of Mortier Bay edited by Patrick J. Baker
Voices of Mortier Bay is a collection of poems, songs, stories and articles from Mortier Bay, Marystown. For sure there are themes of hardship, struggle, and loss. But also there is humour and joy as in the poetry of Annie Mitchell and Sadie Hannam, and the stories of Ed Healy. Norman Farrell draws us into the yearlong work of his father as an inshore fisherman. And for a short time Melvin Smith makes us believe in Port Elizabeth ghost ships. Finally readers with a musical bent can sing or play some of the songs thanks to the musical notation by Josh Ward.
The Hub, 2020
The War of 1812: a ghostly gazetteer by David J. Clarke
The War of 1812 was fought from June, 1812 to February, 1815 between Great Britain and the United States, along with their respective Indigenous allies. Sites connected with the War dot the Canadian landscape, from St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador west to Amherstburg, Ontario. While giving us heroes like Major Gen- eral Isaac Brock, Native leader Tecumseh, and the intrepid Laura Secord, the War also left death and destruc- tion in its wake. Settlers' homes were burned and their livelihoods despoiled, with thousands left dead or wounded. According to eyewitnesses, this conflict has left a powerful supernatural legacy at many sites con- nected with the War. In this work, Dr. David J. Clarke examines more than sixty Canadian locales, chronicling their history relative to the War of 1812, plus the numerous reports of hauntings associated with these fasci- nating places. Self-published 2020
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NON-FICTION
Where Once they Served: stories of our boys who served at home and abroad by Lester Green in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment
Lester Green is a man with a passion for history. He is as well the researcher for the Southwest Arm Historical Society. In 2015, he began researching boys from the Southwest Arm region of Trinity Bay who served in WW1. His first book, Where Once They Sailed: Stories Of Our Boys Who Served in The Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve, was published in 2019. Where Once They Served is Lester’s second book. Edward Rob- erts, a former lieutenant governor and former honorary colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, de- scribes it in the following excerpt from his foreword: “Where Once They Served: Stories of our Boys Who Served at Home and Abroad in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment is all-but unique. Mr. Green has writ- ten the life story of every man from the Southwest Arm area who served in the British Army during the Great War. Most such histories speak only of the military careers of those who are chronicled; Mr. Green has told his readers the tale of their entire lives. His book will fascinate those who want to know more about life in small Newfoundland fishing communities a century ago as well as those fascinated by the story of “OURS” – the men of the Newfoundland Regiment who won glory in the Great War. It is a substantial and welcome addi- tion to what we know about them… It is a story worth the telling and Mr. Green has told it well.” DRC Publishing, 2020 POETRY
Moon Tides: a poem by William Gough
A book-length love poem, written during travels across North America, life in Tipis, Boats, Mountain-side Cabins, City Flats & through all manner of adventures. William Gough’s biggest journey turns out to be the one towards the heart.
Gull Pond Books, 2016
Poetic Remnants by Geraldine Flannigan
These beautiful, powerful poems cover real-life events in the author’s life and illuminate the feelings and un- derstanding to all those who have lived, and continue to live, ‘on the rock’.
Perch Creek Press, 2017
Those Treasured Few: poems by Robert O. Norman
“Robert O. Norman invites you to enter his peaceful world of calm, reflection, wonder, and hope. He shares his very deep, delicate and personal life experiences from his childhood, his career, and other pursuits. Life itself is the gift regardless of its length or the number of joyful, challenging and even tragic moments. We are all touched by our surroundings and the lives of those with whom we come into contact or observe. There is so much to learn on our personal journey if we just open our minds and hearts.”- Fred G. Humber (from the introduction)
Self-published, 2019
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FICTION
The Apprenticeship of Molly Chant By Jeanette Winsor
Hanging for witchcraft has been outlawed in Ireland for centuries... Sixteen-year-old Molly Chant faces the noose, a punishment unheard of in 1869. Her one chance for escape is to follow her friend, Mick, to a ship ready to sail to the desolate island of Newfoundland. But, crossing the vast, angry ocean to the colonies could be a new kind of death sentence. Her only hope for redemption is in the tiny outport of Silver Cape Cove, where she struggles for a balance between her healing powers and the superstitious ignorance she encoun- ters there. Will she find a new family and acceptance or become the pariah everyone believes her to be?
2017
Beothuk Slaves by Terry Foss
Following a failed attempt in 1500, Gaspar Corte-Real along with his brother Miguel, set out in spring of 1501 on a second exploratory voyage under commission from King Manuel of Portugal. The mission was to find a Northwest Passage to Asia. Of the three carvels that sailed only two returned to Portugal, carrying 57 slaves captured on the coast of Newfoundland. Gaspar and his crew were never heard of again. Beothuk Slaves tells the story of what may have taken place when Gaspar landed on the island of New- foundland, on that ill-fated voyage.
Fossil, 2020 Also available as an ebook.
Instructor by Beth Follett
When Ydessa Bloom's husband dies in a Cessna crash in a mid-Ontario lake, she rents a cottage at that lake, without really comprehending why, and stays for three months. There she meets three people who will influ- ence her life dramatically--her landlady, a yoga teacher, and a precocious eight-year-old boy named Henry Rattle. Years later, at the age of twenty-five and reeling from personal tragedy, Henry seeks Ydessa out once again, and they find themselves alone on the day of the Northeast blackout, drawn into an encounter that will change them both. In Instructor, Beth Follett magnificently follows the natural tendencies of the human mind to dart and drift, to leap and eddy, creating an utterly compelling narrative at once patient and en- thralling. Through grief, wonder, and introspection, Instructor captures the fluidity of the self, carrying readers away in the current of Follett's inescapable prose.
Breakwater Books, 2021 Also available as an ebook.
Mary Jane: a biographical novel by Marshall Godwin
Mary Jane was born, lived her life, and died on the south coast of Newfoundland. A life of tragedy. A life of poverty come riches. There were husbands, children, suitors, and evil men. Mary Jane was a strong woman who carried herself with pride and stood fast to protect and raise her children well. Her early life was marked by a series of tragic losses. A woman of lesser metal would have been broken for a lifetime. But Mary Jane grieved, then rose from the tragedy, and married a wealthy business man. Then the rest of her life ...
Felsenmeer Word, 2020
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FICTION
Old Broad Road by Phyllis L. Humby
Sylvia Kramer flees two thousand miles from home and switches out her Jimmy Choo's for rubber boots. She stubbornly adapts to the unique culture and dialect of Newfoundland, embracing diverse friends and east coast delicacies. In a psychological roller coaster of events, she finally reconciles with her estranged family when a brutal assault shatters her spirit and plunges her back into depression. Unorthodox coping mecha- nisms aid her recovery, but it will take more than out-of-body experiences and superstitious tattoos to heal the damage.
Crossfield Publishing, 2020
On Tràigh Lar Beach: a short story collection by Dianne Ebertt Beeaff
Erica Winchat, a young writer overwhelmed by the stress of her first book contract, discovers thirteen curious items tangled in the flotsam on the Scottish beach of Tràigh Lar. Inspired by the objects, she tells the intri- guing story of the owner of each one, uncovering a series of dramatic events -- from a Chicago widow's inspir- ing visit to Quebec City to a shrimper's daughter facing Tropical Storm Ruby in North Carolina. The thirteenth item, a concert laminate badge, gives rise to a novella Erica calls Fan Girls, in which the separate stories of four fans of the Scottish rock band Datha unfold in first person culminating in their reunion at a concert in Chi- cago -- a show where a shooting takes place.
She Writes Press, 2020 Also available as an ebook.
Paddy Scott’s War by Paul Conway
On Aug 4th, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. Paddy, with his father, fished out of Quidi Vidi on the east coast of Newfoundland. When the Government called for able-bodied volunteers to fight for King and country, young men from harbours and towns eagerly responded. Underaged, Paddy was forced to wait and contrive a way to gain the support of his family and sweetheart who were against him enlisting. Unable to re- sist the lure of adventure and the pride of patriotism, Paddy joined the Regiment. He embraced the role of a soldier and forged close friendships with courageous young men from all parts of Newfoundland. However, nothing can prepare a person for the shock, intensity, and horror of war. July 1st, 1916, on the battlefield of Beaumont Hamel, Paddy met that reality. The young man who sailed into St. John’s harbour at the end of August 1916 was a changed person from the one who, just a year earlier, had stood at the ship's railing to- gether with his fellow soldiers, laughing and waving to family and friends. Can Paddy accept the changes to his life and strive to build a new future for himself?
Embark Books, 2020
A Perfect Storm by Mike Martin
Sgt. Windflower is back, untangling another swirling mystery, this one bringing the meth crisis and biker gangs to the quiet Newfoundland town of Grand Bank, feeling the sting of their deadly tentacles reaching all the way from the United States. He’s working with his familiar crew of RCMP characters — but wait, are some of the faces changing? There are new challenges for Jones, an unknown side of Smithson reveals itself, and what ever happened to Tizzard? In the midst of putting the pieces of the puzzle together, Windflower and his be- loved Sheila also find themselves navigating sorrows and surprises on the family front. As always, there’s still great food and even better friends in the beautiful and often fog-filled community of Grand Bank. Come back to Newfoundland and Labrador for A Perfect Storm, another excellent Windflower adventure.
Book 9 of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series
Ottawa Press and Publishing, 2020
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FICTION
Prone to Wander by Trudy J. Morgan-Cole
Jeff Evans never believed that your life flashes in front of your eyes right before you die. But now, with a trac- tor-trailer heading towards his car on the wrong side of the highway, he realizes there might be something to that idea after all. His memory rewinds to the summer he was fourteen, hanging out at church camp with four close friends. Twenty-five years later, those four friends are living wildly diverse lives. From a rat-infested downtown boarding house filled with drunks and addicts, to a picture-perfect Christian family that hides a dark secret: Dave, Liz, Julie and Katie are in such different places, it’s hard to imagine what could ever bring them together again – except a tragedy. They grew up in a world where God was in control and the rules were straightforward. But the conservative church that provided a firm foundation for some turned out to be a con- stricting cage for others. All that connects them now are the friendships they formed in their teens – friend- ships that still have the power to change their lives. In the wake of Jeff’s accident, each of his friends is forced to re-examine their past and how it led them to where they are today. It might too late to save Jeff – but can Dave, Julie, Liz, and Katie still save themselves? Strident Books, 2019
Supermarket Baby By Susan Flanagan
It was just a run-of-the-mill, garden-variety trip to the supermarket. But everything changes when middle- aged, luck-starved Henry Puddester finds a baby in his shopping cart. Naturally, he panics and bolts, prefer- ring the fire to the frying pan, which leads to an odyssey strewn with wild scenes and wacky characters.
Flanker Press, 2021 Also available as an ebook.
Troubles in the Colony by Dave Roe
Leonard Livingstone, the reluctant proprietor of a detoxification spa in Logy Bay, Newfoundland, hosts Ger- man clients, world renown water enthusiasts. His son, Bud, is putting together a summer season of theatre, sponsored by local businesses. Unknown to Leonard and Bud, the German water enthusiasts are the center of a environmental uprising in Indonesia, managed out of Uruguay, watched by local police forces. The collec- tion of narratives is assembled after the main event in the story, and include tales of the riches of Treasure Island and its connection to St. John's, Newfoundland, the oldest city in North America, and Britain's first colony. The theft of the Irish Crown Jewels, and the discovery of an ancient Anglo-Saxon burial site are recounted. A comedic take on historical and science fiction, Troubles in the Colony explores the stories of Newfoundland. Wickid Press, 2017
Wicked Curse by Candace Osmond
Life in the Dark Faction comes with risks no one prepared her for... Lydia Laveau has been chosen to partici- pate in a decennial event that will pick two Wicked Born and their supplements to join the ranks of the Dark Faction leaders-a role she never wanted, and a competition that risks her life. But with a mysterious hex plaguing her boyfriend Anson, it's not enough for Lydia to survive; she needs to defeat the Midnight Circle, or a dark future looms ahead for all. And not just the students of Arcane Academy. Can Lydia keep her true na- ture under wraps without risking the outcome of the Program? Or will hoarding her secrets thrust the future of witch-kind into irreversible destruction?
Book 2 in the Touch of Darkness series. 2019
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FICTION
The Wounded Heart of a Cowboy by M.J. Andrews
This is the third book from the McGuire Family Series but can be read as a stand-alone book. Finn McGuire has settled into his new life in Silverton well. With the help of his family, he's been able to overcome the de- mons he brought home from his time as an Army Ranger. He doesn't regret serving his country but he wishes he was there for his family in times of need. His older brothers, Remi and Sawyer found lasting love with great women who fill their hearts completely. Finn's heart, however; continues to have scars that few understand. He needs someone who can appreciate his wounds and heal with him. Turns out, finding that woman in the pot of ladies in Silverton has been a challenge. Dani's pissed after being discharged from her spot as a Navy SEAL after an injury. Her band of brothers are the only family she has grown to love. Now, it feels as though that has been yanked away from her. She's struggling to find her place in the world and is hesitant to look for love. She'd never been loved before and those she had come to love in the past only ended up hurt because of her. Dani's world changed when she rode her Harley through Silverton and meeting Finn McGuire was a plus. But we all carry baggage from our past. It just happens to be that Dani carries enough luggage for a trip to the moon. Her physical scars have healed but she hasn't been able to push past the pain of her trauma. Both have a past they'd rather keep secret but when Dani's life is threatened by a dark figure from her history, will Finn and the McGuires be able to help her? Can they show her the true meaning of family and convince her she is worthy of love and happiness? Or will it all be cut short before the future can even been planned? 2019
CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULT
Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians by Lindsay Ruck
This fascinating, full-colour illustrated book features over 50 amazing Black people from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, sharing their incredible stories and ac- complishments, past and present. Among these amazing Black Atlantic Canadians are people who saved lives, set sports records (Delmore William “Buddy” Daye), achieved international superstardom (Measha Brueggergosman), made change in their own neighbourhoods (Quentrel Provo), overcame injustice (Viola Desmond), and enacted many other inspiring deeds of courage and perseverance. With dozens of profiles on both historical and contemporary Black people from Atlantic Canada, Lindsay Ruck celebrates the accom- plishments and recognizes the hardships of some of our region’s least-known amazing heroes. Featuring in- formative sidebars, an index, and 20 colour illustrations from artist James Bentley. Nimbus Publishing, 2021
The Ballad of Nancy April: Shawnadithit by David Robertson and Scott B. Henderson
In this graphic novel, Jessie travels through time and space to early 19th century Newfoundland. There she meets Shawnadithit who, as the last surviving member of the Beothuk, has witnessed the end of a once-great people.
Also available in French as L’heritage de Nancy April: Shawnadithit .
Highwater Press, 2014; Éditions Hannenorak, 2019
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CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULT
Kimmy & Mike by Dave Paddon
Dave Paddon and Lily Snowden-Fine team up in this hilarious tall tale about siblings who set out to find some fish for their father’s supper. The fish aren’t biting, so Kimmy and Mike head off to see if they’ll have luck on the other side of the ocean. En route they encounter hurricanes, a giant squid, pirates, a merman, an iceberg and much more. Theirs is a round-the-world adventure with plenty of fun. But it’s still up to their moth- er to find something for the pot. Paddon’s playful rhymes resonate with Newfoundland dialect; Snowden-Fine’s illustrations are a marvelous match. The book includes a brief glossary of Newfoundland terms and an afterword from the author about his experience of the recitation tradition.
Running the Goat Books and Broadsides, 2021
The New Recruits by Gina Noordhof
Long ago, there was a family who lived in a saltbox house by the ocean. One winter evening baby Ben un- knowingly crawled out the front door. Luckily a "good fairy" named Willow found him. Willow was unable to look for Ben's parents because if fairies are seen by adult humans, they lose some of their magical powers. Willow and Freya find a way to get baby Ben home safely, as well as find a place where they truly feel they belong.
With illustrations by Derek Peddle
Self-published, 2020
Reflections from Them Days: a residential school memoir from Nunatsiavut by Nellie Winters
Text in Inuktitut characters.
When Nellie Winters was 11 years old, she was sent to attend the Nain Boarding School, a Residential school 400 kilometres from her home. In this memoir, she recalls life before residential school, her experiences at the school, and what it was like to come home. Accompanied by the authors original illustrations, this moving, often funny memoir sheds light on the experiences of Inuit residen- tial school survivors in Labrador.
Also available with English text.
Inhabit Education, 2020
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Down in the Cove by Derek Peddle
A Newfoundland take on the holiday classic “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” featuring beautiful water- color illustrations by artist Derek Peddle. This book is a great gift for all ages, especially those living away and missing a traditional Christmas with a visit from the mummers! “Down in the Cove” ends with a heart- felt message that will bring a happy tear to your eye.
Self-published, 2018
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BOOKCLUB KITS Each Bookclub Kit contains 10 copies of the book, plus discussion questions, biographical information and more. The loan period is 6 weeks.
All I Ask by Eva Crocker
A little before seven in the morning, Stacey wakes to the police pounding on her door. They search her home and seize her computer and her phone, telling her they’re looking for “illegal digital material.” Left to unravel what’s happened, Stacey must find a way to take back the privacy and freedom she feels she has lost. Lucki- ly, she has her friends. Smart and tough and almost terrifyingly open, Stacey and her circle are uncommonly free of biases and boundaries, but this incident reveals how they are still susceptible to society’s traps. Navi- gating her way through friendship, love, and sex, Stacey strives to restore her self-confidence and to actualize the most authentic way to live her life — one that acknowledges both her power and her vulnerability, her joy and her fear. All I Ask is a bold and bracing exploration of what it’s like to be young in a time when everything and nothing seems possible. With a playwright’s ear for dialogue and a wry, delicate confidence, Eva Crocker writes with a compassionate but unsentimental eye on human nature that perfectly captures the pitfalls of rely- ing on the people you love. House of Anansi Press, 2020 Also available as an ebook. Also available as a digital audiobook.
Barry Squires, Full Tilt by Heather Smith
It's 1995. When the Full Tilt Dancers give an inspiring performance at the opening of the new bingo hall, twelve-year-old Finbar (Barry) Squires wants desperately to join the troupe. Led by Father O'Flaherty, the Full Tilt Irish Step Dancers are the most sought-after act in St. John's, Newfoundland (closely followed by popular bagpiper, Alfie Bragg and his Agony Bag). Having watched Riverdance twice, Barry figures he'll nail the audition. And good thing too -- it'd be nice to be known for something other than the port wine stain on his cheek. With questionable talent and an unpredictable temper, Barry's journey to stardom is jeopardized by his parents' refusal to take his dreams seriously. Thankfully, Barry has the support of a lively cast of characters: his ever-present grandmother, Nanny Squires; his adorable baby brother, Gord; an old British rocker named Uneven Steven; a group of geriatrics from the One Step Closer to God nursing home; and Saibal, a friend with whom Barry gets up to no good. Penguin Teen, 2020 Also available as an ebook. Also available as a digital audiobook.
The Danger Tree: memory, war and the search for a family’s past by David Macfarlane
The Danger Tree was met with enormous acclaim when it was first published, garnering rave reviews from critics and readers alike. Now in a new edition featuring an introduction by Giller Prize–nominated author Lisa Moore, David Macfarlane’s memoir tells the story of his mother’s family, the Goodyears of Newfoundland. Weaving together the major events of the twentieth century in Newfoundland—the tuberculosis epidemic, the great seal-hunt disaster, the Confederation debate, and the First World War—the memoir brings to life this storied region with wit, insight, and deep affection. Featuring a multi-generational cast of larger-than-life char- acters, The Danger Tree is brilliant, funny, and profoundly moving, a modern classic about family, history, and the stories we tell. Harper Perennial, 2014, 1990
The Greatest Hits of Wanda Jaynes by Bridget Canning
Wanda Jaynes is about to lose her job amidst a mountain of bills, and she suspects her musician boyfriend might be romantically interested in her friend, Trish. But Wanda’s life changes radically on a routine trip to the grocery store when a gunman enters the supermarket and opens fire. When Wanda comes face to face with the shooter, she instinctively hurls a can of coconut milk at his head and knocks him unconscious. In the en- suing media storm, she’s hailed as a hero and miracle worker. But in the aftermath of so much attention, she receives strange emails and believes she’s being followed. As her fear and paranoia grow, both her private and professional lives hang in the balance. And it takes another act of bravery before she’ll learn who she really is.
Breakwater Books, 2017 Also available as an ebook.
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Click on ebook or audiobook to go directly to our eLibrary.
BOOKCLUB KITS Each Bookclub Kit contains 10 copies of the book, plus discussion questions, biographical information and more. The loan period is 6 weeks.
Mister Nightingale by Paul Bowdring
When self-described mid-list Newfoundland author James Nightingale makes a brief sojourn to his St. John’s home for the re-release of his seminal novel, he’s forced to confront his failings, both familial and artistic. Im- bued with the language of literature and the imagery of a Newfoundland in flux, Mister Nightingale is at once diatribe on the writing life, and a keen and poignant exploration of one man’s coming to terms with la vie quoti- dienne.
Vagrant Press, 2016
Newfoundland and Labrador: A History by Sean T. Cadigan
Examining the region from prehistoric times to the present, Newfoundland and Labrador is not only a com- prehensive history of the province, but an illuminating portrait of the Atlantic world and European colonisation of the Americas.
University of Toronto Press, 2009 Also available as an ebook.
Random Passage by Bernice Morgan
Forced to flee England, the Andrews family books passage to a fresh start in a distant country, only to discov- er a barren, inhospitable land at the end of their crossing. To seventeen-year-old Lavinia, uprooted from eve- rything familiar, it seems a fate worse than the one they left behind. Driven by loneliness she begins a jour- nal. Random Passage satisfies the craving for those details that headstones and history books can never give: the real story of our Newfoundland ancestors, of how time and chance brought them to the forbidding shores of a new found land. It is a saga of families and of individuals; of acquisitive Mary Bundle; of charming Ned Andrews, whose thievery has turned his family into exiles; of mad Ida; of Thomas Hutchings, who might be an aristocrat, a holy man, or a murderer; and of Lavinia - who wrote down the truth and lies about them all.
Breakwater Books, 2013, 1992 Also available as an ebook.
Supermarket Baby By Susan Flanagan
It was just a run-of-the-mill, garden-variety trip to the supermarket. But everything changes when middle- aged, luck-starved Henry Puddester finds a baby in his shopping cart. Naturally, he panics and bolts, prefer- ring the fire to the frying pan, which leads to an odyssey strewn with wild scenes and wacky characters.
Flanker Press, 2021 Also available as an ebook.
Click on the book cover or title to go directly to our online catalogue.
Click on ebook or audiobook to go directly to our eLibrary.