Meet Jim Egan (Scholastic Canada Biography)

Jim was born in 1921, and he had an ordinary childhood. But as he grew up, he knew he was a little different than his friends. As a young man, Jim joined the war effort and travelled the world. He discovered there were other people like himself — he was gay. Jim hadn’t even known there was a word for it when he was growing up.

At that time, being identified as a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community wasn’t safe. People lost their jobs, their families, got put in jail — or worse. Hiding who they were felt safer to most. But not Jim. He picked up his pen and started to fight for his rights. This battle would lead to protection for the LGBTQ2S+ community under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and open the door to further equal rights, including same-sex marriage.

The Scholastic Canada Biography series is an award-winning collection of titles focused on fascinating people who have shaped Canada’s past and present. Written by acclaimed non-fiction author Elizabeth MacLeod, each book also features comics-inspired illustrations by Mike Deas which bring each story to life for today’s young reader.

Elizabeth MacLeod has written more than 80 books, including biographies, picture books, cookbooks and other nonfiction titles. Dinosaurs, royal murder, forensic science, horses that changed history—she’s written about them all. Liz is a Member of the Order of Canada and has won the Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction, the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction and the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile or Young Adult Crime Book. She has also won children’s choice awards across the country, including the Hackmatack, Red Cedar, Red Maple and Silver Birch. Liz's most recent books include How to Become an Accidental Activist and Get Out and Vote!. She lives in Toronto.

MIKE DEAS is an author and illustrator of many picture books and graphic novels, including the Bee & Flea series and the Sueno Bay Adventures. He lives with his family on sunny Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

• Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-FictionWinner 2025
• Hackmatack Children's Choice Award (Atlantic Canada)Short-listed 2025
• OLA Best Bets, Honourable Mention, Junior Non-FictionCommended 2024
• 2SLGBTQI+ Children's Book Project, IBBY CanadaCommended 2026
• Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book CentreCommended 2024